FAQ

No, but you should. Spaying or neutering your pet is the most effective plan we have to combat pet overpopulation. At least 3 million dogs and cats in shelters are euthanized every year. Every time a dog or cat has a litter, it is contributing to the problem. The sad reality is that there are not enough homes for all of them. We are tackling the pet overpopulation problem one surgery at a time.

There are several health benefits cats and dogs receive when they are spayed. Female dogs that are spayed before they go into heat for the first time receive the largest health benefits, but it is good for older ones as well. Spaying reduces uterine infections and breast tumors, both of which are often cancerous. Male cats and dogs benefit physically as well. Neutered male pets are less likely to get certain prostate problems, and do not suffer from testicular cancer.

In addition to physical benefits of spaying and neutering your pet, there are behavioral benefits as well. Female pets that have been spayed do not go into heat, which means they will not exhibit mating behaviors such as howling and frequent urination. Male pets may exhibit less aggressive behavior and they will be less likely to mark territory or roam.

Yes. It is safe. However, any surgical procedure has risk of complications. Although risk is extremely low for spay and neuter surgery, it still exists. At Nutmeg Spay/Neuter Clinic we have experienced surgeons and supporting staff putting your pet in the best of hands. Complications can be avoided if you follow our post-operative instructions carefully.

Nutmeg Spay/Neuter Clinic is a proponent of pediatric spay and neuter. This guideline is supported by the ASPCA and the Association of Shelter Veterinarians. This means that we can spay or neuter any dog or cat that is over 3 lbs or 3 months of age, is weaned, and provided it clears a pre-surgical exam. It is a shorter procedure for our pediatric patients and they recover much more quickly. There is some new data that supports waiting until maturity for certain large and giant breeds. Although the possible benefit of waiting to sterilize large and giant breeds exists, there can be some drawbacks to waiting as well. If you have any specific concerns, please discuss them with your veterinarian so that you can make the most informed decision for your loved one. For more information, click here.

Yes. Every animal is examined by a veterinarian for overt signs of illness, respiratory, or cardiovascular problems prior to the procedure. The only exception to this rule are feral cats, who are still visually inspected by the veterinarian for signs of illness prior to anesthesia.

It is understood that when you bring your pet to Nutmeg, he/she is in good health. Your pet should have been previously examined and given a clean bill of health by your local veterinarian. We do not require a pre-op exam or bloodwork from your own vet, unless your pet is 7 years or older, but it is a good idea to do so. On the day of your pet’s procedure, we will take a brief history and perform a physical exam prior to anesthesia and surgery. These steps all help ensure that your pet is a good candidate for the procedure. If the veterinarian has any reservations about your pet’s safety, they will delay surgery on your pet and speak to you about their concerns.

Although the complication rate for spay and neuter surgery is very low, it can happen. It is imperative that you follow all of the discharge instructions correctly to reduce the risk of complications. Fortunately, most complications from spay and neuter are not life-threatening, and usually do not require additional surgery. If there are any questions or concerns directly related to the surgery during the recovery period, please call our clinic at (203) 690-1550 or email us at info@nutmegclinic.org during regular business hours. If there is a concern outside of our business hours, If there is a concern outside of our business hours, please reach out to your regular veterinarian. If your pet is experiencing an emergency, contact your regular veterinarian or any of the following 24-hour emergency hospitals:

Nutmeg Spay/Neuter Clinic will not be held responsible for complications resulting from failure to follow our post-operative instructions, or for contagious disease for which the animal was not previously properly vaccinated, or other non-surgical conditions.

Our pricing is determined by what it costs us to perform spay/neuter surgery safely on your pet. Surgical time for larger dogs is extended, along with an increase in supplies needed.

Tattooing dogs and cats with a green dot or line adjacent to their surgical incision has become standard of care in shelters, rescues, and spay/neuter clinics across the country. In fact, it has been standard of care in other countries for years. In females, this green line is visible long after a spay scar fades. For males, it helps us identify a dog that has been neutered vs. a dog that has undescended testicles, which is more common than you think. Tattooing pets may save them from needless anesthesia and surgery if they are ever separated from you.

Large dogs must be on a leash; small dogs can be carried in. Cats must arrive in a clean, hard, plastic carrier with clean towel lining the bottom. Please, only 1 pet per carrier. If you need to borrow a carrier we will require a deoposit. Please contact the clinic for pricing.

Pyometra is a serious, life-threatening illness that can affect unspayed dogs and cats. In short, it is when the uterus of an animal becomes infected. Untreated, this can lead to sepsis and death.

Some common symptoms of pyometra are: decreased appetite, increased drinking, increased urination, abdominal distention, and a foul smelling discharge from the vulva. Pyometras are not always open and draining, which can make physical signs even more confusing for veterinarians and pet owners. Pyometra is a possible diagnosis for any unspayed dog or cat that is not feeling well.

The treatment of choice is surgery. It is the same surgical technique as a spay, but much more complicated due to the size and state of the uterus. The patient undergoing surgery is suffering from a life-threatening infection, and therefore needs more care like extra fluids, pain medication, and antibiotics. Because of these factors, owners are often surprised at prices for pyometra surgery, which can run into thousands of dollars.

If your pet has been diagnosed by your private practitioner with a pyometra (usually by physical exam, bloodwork, and possibly xray or ultrasound), your pet needs emergency surgery. We accept patients for pyometra surgery on a case by case basis and can provide estimates for you.

TNR stands for Trap/Neuter/Return. Best practice has now added vaccinations so you will see Trap/Neuter/Vaccinate/Return (TNVR). Nutmeg clinic has this program in place to help keep the population of wild, feral cats under control. Visit our TNVR section to learn how you can best care for a community cat and help eliminate unwanted litters.

Learn more about TNR and TNVR

There are many myths about spaying and neutering. If you are concerned or have questions, we encourage you to contact our office in Stratford. We will be happy to talk with you about anything you may be worried about in terms of spaying or neutering your cat or dog.

For more information, please visit our new patient center.