If your dog has not been inoculated and picks up a disease that could otherwise have been prevented, it is important for it to receive veterinary attention. Remember, without shots, there will be no protection in place, so the sooner your dog is seen, the better.

Vaccination is required. Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza and Parvovirus (DAPPv): Commonly called the “distemper shot,” this combination vaccine actually protects against five diseases: canine distemper, adenovirus, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus.

To help prevent common diseases, we strongly recommend your pet be vaccinated at least one week prior to surgery with the DA2LPPv (distemper/parvo – for dogs) or FVRCP (distemper/upper respiratory – for cats).

For your pet’s protection we recommend dogs have their DA2PPV (parvo-distemper) vaccine prior to appointment. The vaccine takes two weeks to take effect so schedule your surgery at least two weeks after the vaccination.

It is not advisable to vaccinate an animal that is ill or subjected to the stress of general anesthesia for any major surgery, such as spay/neuter. The vaccinations should have been done three to four weeks before or after the surgery, but for the sake of convenience, this protocol is not always followed.

All dogs, cats and other pets as required by law at a PetSmart Store or PetSmart Charities Events must be spayed or neutered.

Can I have my cat neutered without vaccinations? Yes, you can have your cat neutered without vaccinations as long as you make the vet practice aware. This is so that they can take necessary steps to reduce disease risk to your pet and other animals at the practice.

The PAWS Clinic strongly recommends that all cats and dogs are fully vaccinated (FVRCP combination for cats, DHPP or DAPP combination and bordetella for dogs) BEFORE they come to the clinic for surgery.

All pets can have water up until the time of surgery. Pets must be kept indoors or confined the night before surgery. This ensures that they are not eating outside, which could potentially be dangerous during surgery.

Approximately half your pet’s normal serving of food and water should be offered about two hours after returning home from surgery. If your pet is under 16 weeks of age, feed him/her approximately half the normal amount of food and water as soon as you return home.

While the cost to spay a cat varies, the operation typically runs from $300 to $500 for a female cat and around $200 for a male when it’s done at a private, full-service veterinary practice, said Cory Smith, spokeswoman for The Humane Society of the United States. Fortunately, there are less expensive options.

“Overall, your cat’s personality should not change,” Brömme says. “Spaying eliminates heat cycles, and cats can be extremely affectionate and vocal during a heat cycle,” Brömme says. “As a result, your cat might seem a bit calmer after getting spayed because she no longer will have these cycles.”

While there are a lot of variables, spaying will typically run $50–$500. Costs at the low end of that spectrum are typically subsidized through a public agency. “There are many low-cost spay and neuter clinics around the country to help make the process more accessible to all pet owners,” Moore says.

Spaying During Heat It’s possible to spay a cat during the heat cycle, although many vets prefer not to do so. During the estrus cycle, the feline’s reproductive organs and related blood vessels become engorged with blood. It takes more time to complete the surgery, so your vet or the facility might charge more.

The only ways to cease a cat’s heat cycle are spaying and simulating mating. If you choose not to do this, vocalization is something you’ll have to tolerate. Do what you can to make your cat more comfortable during these hormonal surges. This, in turn, will reduce the noise your cat makes.

Q: Will she be able to get pregnant after spaying? A: No. The spaying operation removes the ovaries and uterus. Therefore she will be infertile and won’t be able to get pregnant.

YES! Most people are under the impression that once a dog is in heat, you have to wait until she is done the cycle before she can be spayed. Many vets will spay a dog while she is in heat, though many will recommend against it due to the risk of serious complications.