Digital Radiology

The words “spay” and “neuter” mean to sterilize your pet.  We use the term “spay” when we refer to sterilizing a female dog or cat, and we use the term “neuter” when we refer to sterilizing a male dog or cat.  When a female pet is spayed we remove the ovaries and the uterus.  When a male pet is neutered we removed the testicles.  After a pet is spayed or neutered he/she will no longer be able to have puppies or kittens.

The length of surgery depends on the size of your pet and whether the surgery is a spay or a neuter. Neutering procedures in general take less time than spays.  Surgery time can range from 15 to 45 minutes. In addition to the surgery time there is presurgical time when we prepare your pet for surgery and anesthesia.  There is also the anesthetic recovery period after surgery.

Most pets are fully recovered from surgery within 10-14 days. During the recovery period it is important to restrict your pet’s activity to allow time for the surgery to heal. Your pet should not run, jump or play while recovering. He or she should only go outside on a leash to eliminate.  All pets go home with an E-collar to prevent them from licking their incision.

All pets need a complete physical exam performed by our doctor before having surgery.  If you are interested in having your pet spayed or neutered please call us at the above number to schedule an appointment.

Bloodwork is required before surgery to make sure the pet is safe to undergo anesthesia and the surgical procedure.

Yes, we do place microchips.  Microchips are a great way to make sure your pets gets home safely if they are ever lost.  We can place the microchip while your pet is being spayed or neutered or during your pet’s exam. Anesthesia is not required to place the microchip but because a large needle is used to place the microchip, we often microchip pets when they are under anesthesia for their spay or neuter.

Surgery prices vary based on the size and specific needs of your pet. Please call us for an estimate.

Most pets are able to go home in the early afternoon or evening.

Spaying prevents unwanted pregnancies and litters.

Spaying a female dog before her first heat significantly reduces her chances of developing mammary cancer.

Spaying prevents the development of pyometra, a life threatening infection of the uterus. Spaying also prevents many other diseases associated with the uterus and ovaries.

A spayed female will not go into heat.

Neutering prevents unwanted pregnancies and litters.

Neutered males are less likely to roam, thus decreasing their risk for being hit by a car and fighting with other animals.

Neutering prevents testicular cancer and reduces the risk for prostatic disease.

Neutered male cats are less likely to mark with urine spraying.

Most dogs and cats should be spayed or neutered around 4-6 months of age. It is best to spay female dogs before their first heat. Spaying a female dog before her first heat significantly reduces her chances of developing mammary cancer.

Yes, older pets still receive health benefits from being spayed or neutered.  At Liberty Veterinary Clinic we take every precaution, such as using different types of anesthesia, to make surgery as safe as possible for our older patients.

Spaying/neutering  will not change your pet’s basic personality.  Spaying/neutering may reduce urine marking, aggression, and roaming behavior.

Some pets may have a tendency to gain weight after being spayed or neutered. With proper diet and exercise you pet can remain at healthy weight after surgery.

At Liberty Veterinary Clinic we try to make every surgery as pain free and as stress free as possible for your pet.  All pets receive an injection of pain medicine for their surgery and go home with oral pain medication.

Urine spraying and marking is most common in adult male cats that have not been neutered.  Neutering your cat will decrease the likelihood of your cat spraying or marking.  It is best to neuter a male cat before he reaches adulthood.

Yes, we perform many different types of soft tissue surgeries.  We perform spays, neuters, mass removals, bladder stone removals, tail amputations, laceration and wound repairs, abscess repairs, and other soft tissue surgeries.

Vaccines trigger a protective immune response in your pet. This immune response helps your pet to fight off infections and diseases.

Dogs and cats should be vaccinated to protect them from contagious and sometimes deadly diseases.   The appropriate vaccines will help keep your pet healthy.

Most dogs should receive the core vaccines, which are rabies and DA₂PP.  DA₂PP protects against distemper virus, adenovirus, parainfluenza, and parvo virus.  Additional non-core vaccines may be recommended depending on your dog’s life style.  Some non-core vaccines are bordetella (kennel cough), leptospirosis, lyme, and influenza.

Most cats should receive the core vaccines, which are rabies virus and FVRCP.  FVRCP protects against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calici virus, and panleukopenia.  Cats that frequently go outside may also receive a vaccine for feline leukemia virus.

Most puppies and kittens receive vaccines at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, and 16 weeks of age.  Some puppies and kittens may need additional vaccines after this series.  When your pet finishes the puppy or kitten series of vaccines, boosters are then given once a year or every 3 years depending on the type of vaccine.

Vaccines prevent many illnesses and diseases in pets. However, all medical procedures are associated with some risk. In very rare cases a pet may have an adverse reaction to the vaccine.  Liberty Veterinary Clinic uses the safest vaccines available to minimize any potential for adverse reactions. We also make sure that your pet is never over vaccinated, and only receives the vaccines he/she needs.  For cats we only use Merial PUREVAX vaccines, which are non adjuvanted to reduce the risk of side effects in cats.

Most pets do not show any side effects after being vaccinated.  Some may become a little tired or may have some mild pain at the site of the vaccine injection, which is normal. If you notice any facial swelling, hives, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, anorexia, trouble breathing, or collapse, please seek veterinary care immediately.

No, your pet’s behavior will not change after being vaccinated.

Yes!  It is possible for you or your house guests to bring in infectious diseases which could affect your cat. Bats and raccoons infected with rabies have also been known to come into houses through chimneys, open windows, or doors.  Rabies virus is one of the most deadly viruses for pets and people. We strongly recommend all cats be vaccinated to protect their health and your health.  Pennsylvania law also requires that all dog and cats be vaccinated for rabies.

A serological titer is a measure of the antibody response in your pet.   For some pets we may run serological titers to determine if the pet has an appropriate immune response and should be revaccinated.  Some pets are also unable to be vaccinated due to specific medical conditions.  For these pets we may run titers to determine the pet’s risk level.