There are many excellent reasons besides population control to have your pet spayed or neutered. Rest assured, your best friend is in good hands with compassionate spaying and neutering services at San Marco Animal Hospital in Jacksonville, FL.

The procedure

In a spay surgery (ovariohysterectomy), a female’s ovaries and uterus are removed through a small abdominal incision. This stops estrus cycles or “heats” that attract males, decrease the risk of mammary tumors, and decrease the risk of a uterus infection causing the need for an emergency surgery (pyometra).

A male is neutered by removing both testicles through a small incision on the scrotum. This helps reduce “spraying” or “marking territory” and reduces the chance of an enlarged prostate that can cause a urinary obstruction with the need for an emergency surgery. In either case of spaying or neutering, the altered animal can no longer produce offspring, which greatly helps population control and eliminates the risk of unwanted litters.

At San Marco Animal Hospital, dogs and female cats rest comfortably on a heated pad during surgery. Your pet is under general anesthesia and intubated while the procedure is performed so he or she will not feel a thing. Vital signs are continually monitored to ensure a safe anesthetic procedure. Surgery typically takes about an hour for females and half an hour for males.

Shortly after the anesthesia, your pet will be awake and able to move around. Complications are rare, so you can likely take your pet home the same day and will need to work hard to keep your pet quiet at home while they heal! We recommend your pet wear an e collar, avoid bathing, and limit their exercise for at least 2 weeks while the area heals. We often see our clients back in two weeks, or sooner if any concerns arise, to ensure the site has healed properly before allowing pets to return to normal activity.

Why should I spay or neuter my pet?

Spaying and neutering are safe for healthy dogs and cats as young as eight weeks or over two pounds in body weight to:

  • Avoid unwanted litter.
  • Improve overall health by reducing or eliminating the risk of some cancers.
  • Increase lifespan by up to 23%
  • Decrease tendency to roam and the associated risk of being struck by a vehicle or becoming lost.
  • Reduce aggressive behavior and marking.
  • Cut veterinary costs of acquiring unnecessary cancer or emergency. The expense of an emergency c-section, treating a pet with reproductive cancer, or injuries obtained if hit by a car all cost many times more than the fee for a spay or neuter.

Call (904) 399-5557 to schedule spaying and neutering.

Veterinary Doctor

Dr. Venkat Reddy Gutta

Veterinary Doctor

Dr. Gutta grew up in India and moved to the United States in 2002 to pursue higher education. After completing the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE), Dr. Gutta attended Louisiana State University (LSU) School of Veterinary Medicine to complete his clinical rotations. Dr. Gutta also earned a Master’s Degree in Animal Science from the University of Georgia (UGA).

Following his clinical rotations at LSU Veterinary School, Dr. Gutta obtained his Florida State license to practice veterinary medicine in the state of Florida.

Before beginning his career at San Marco Animal Hospital, Dr. Gutta practiced as an associate veterinarian for Banfield Pet Hospital for more than 10 years. During this time, he gained a highly sought reputation for being very personable and educating clients on their pet’s health. As an associate veterinarian, Dr. Gutta has gained extensive experience with many soft tissue surgeries while continuing to practice high-quality veterinary medicine.

Dr. Gutta joined San Marco Animal Hospital in March 2016 after his wife, Dr. Sri, decided to work part-time to raise their three children. His professional interests include wellness and preventive care, senior pet care, and nutrition counseling for both dogs and cats. Dr. Gutta has particular interests in canine and feline medicine, endocrine cases, skin cases, nutrition, and behavior. Dr. Gutta is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and Jacksonville Veterinary Medical Society (JVMS).

In his free time, Dr. Gutta enjoys spending time with his family and personal pets. He especially enjoys outdoor activities such as gardening, swimming, and playing tennis.

Would you like to book an appointment with Dr. Venkat Reddy Gutta?

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