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How Much Does It Cost To Get My Dog Spayed
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Garland County Prevent “littering” Spay & Neuter Program
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Spaying female dogs has health benefits and is an important strategy for reducing pet overpopulation, a problem that causes unwanted pets to be euthanized in shelters each year. Spaying also has health benefits for female dogs, including reducing the risk of uterine cancer and infections. According to our research, rescuing a dog costs between $200 and $700.
Although the spraying operation is common and recommended by veterinarians, the procedure can be expensive. Our team of guides researched the cost of dog sterilization procedures and ways to make them more affordable for pet owners, including low-cost procedures and pet insurance coverage.
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The cost of spaying your dog depends on many factors, including her age and size, what stage of her reproductive cycle she is at, and the veterinarian you choose to perform the procedure. Private veterinary offices sterilize daily. If you can’t afford a private practice, there may be shelters, humane societies, and low-cost clinics in your area that offer the operation for minimal fees. But remember that to save costs and perform faster operations, cheaper clinics may use fewer security measures.
According to Petco, spay and neuter surgeries cost between $200 and $700 because the vet has to work inside the abdomen, which takes more time and skill and requires a larger incision. Spa surgery packages at Banfield Pet Hospital, a national chain of veterinary hospitals, cost between $450 and $700. Shelters and humane organizations can price procedures based on financial need and typically charge less than $150.
How Much Does It Cost To Spay Or Neuter A Dog?
The following services are typically included in spa packages or offered separately at private veterinary offices for an additional fee. Please note that costs vary for each clinic and each breed. Low-cost clinics may offer similar services for less. The following table includes specific costs for specialized fumigation services:
Spaying can have important health and behavioral benefits for female dogs. The biggest is a dramatic reduction in the risk of mammary cancer, the most common cancer in dogs and which can be fatal. Spaying also eliminates the risk of life-threatening uterine infections and erratic behavior during heat cycles.
Spaying is also important for preventing pet overpopulation because it prevents females from becoming pregnant with unwanted puppies that may end up in shelters or be euthanized.
The appropriate age for female dogs depends on the breed and size of the adult. According to the American Animal Hospital Association guidelines, you should spray female dogs with an expected weight of less than 45 pounds before their first heat cycle or when they are five to six months old. This time reduces your risk of breast cancer from 23% to 34% to 0.5%.
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For dogs that are expected to weigh more than 45 pounds as adults, times are tougher. The risk of mammary cancer increases to 8% in female dogs after the first heat but before the second heat, and then increases to 26% after the second heat.
However, dogs are more likely to develop orthopedic problems and urinary incontinence before adulthood. Veterinarians must weigh the risks and benefits of each dog on a case-by-case basis.
Pet insurance can also reduce the cost of spraying your dog. Standard insurance plans do not cover spray surgery because companies consider it an elective, planned procedure. Insurance generally only covers unexpected expenses, such as illnesses and injuries. However, some insurance providers allow policyholders to cover health services, including spa surgery, under their standard accident-only or accident-and-illness plans.
Wellness coverage differs from regular pet policies in that you can take advantage of wellness benefits only when you sign up, rather than a waiting period or deductible. Wellness insurance coverage differs from hospital wellness plans in that you pre-purchase bundled services from your veterinarian.
Neuter Cost $1000?
With a wellness insurance plan, you pay for services at your veterinarian’s office, submit a bill and claim form to your insurance provider, and receive a set reimbursement amount according to your policy. Most plans offer only a subsidy of $100 to $150 for sterilization surgery.
One exception to this is Embrace, which offers wellness plans that offer flat rates that pet owners can use for any preventive care services. With Embrace, pet owners can choose to use their entire allowance on spray surgery. Other providers, such as Lemonade, Spot, and Figo, specify preventive care services.
The chart below highlights our top recommendations for plans that cover injections and reduce the average monthly cost compared to the coverage you get for injection surgery.
Let’s say your pet needs sterilization surgery and the cost is $450. With an 80% refund, you pay $90 out of pocket.
Cost To Spay A Dog: How To Save Money On This Necessary Surgery
Pet owners who bring a female dog into their home and are unable to undergo sterilization surgery may receive financial assistance for the procedure. Find the following groups in your community:
The recovery period after spraying operation is 10 to 14 days. Puppies can regain their energy within a day, but owners should limit their activity after surgery to avoid damage to the incisions. Take your dog outside on a leash and make sure he does not run, jump or play during the entire recovery period.
Prescription sedatives can make exercise and potty time easier for high-energy puppies. Your dog will go home with a cone collar or jumpsuit to prevent licking and pain relievers for constant relief. Pet owners should avoid them for at least 10 days after surgery or until the incision has completely healed.
Slight swelling or bruising at the incision site is normal and should disappear a few days after surgery. Inspect the incision site and notify your veterinarian if you notice persistent redness, discharge, foul odor, or increased swelling.
Spay Or Neuter? What’s The Difference? What’s The Point?
Some pets have a bad reaction to stitches or get an infection, which can cause the incision to open. Treatment of postoperative complications, such as antibiotics or repeated suturing, can increase the cost of surgery.
Veterinarians generally recommend using female dogs because it reduces the risk of mammary cancer and pyometra, a life-threatening infection that requires emergency surgery. Sterilization reduces pet overpopulation, a constant problem.
While neutering your dog can cost between $200 and $700, emergency surgery to treat pyometra or cancer can cost you thousands of dollars, neutering is a more cost-effective option. If you cannot afford surgery, local humanitarian organizations and low-cost clinics may offer financial assistance. Affordable pet insurance and veterinary hospital wellness plans can also work together to reduce the costs of owning a dog, including sterilization surgery.
The right time to walk your dog depends on many factors. Consult your veterinarian about the benefits of sterilization and whether the operation makes the most sense for your pet.
How Much Does Spaying And Neutering Cost?
Dr. Sarah Prus, General Veterinarian
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