Dog Spay or Neuter Cost
Last Updated on September 22, 2023 | Written by CPA Alec Pow
First Published on January 14, 2017 | Content Reviewed by 
CFA Alexander Popivker
If you are a responsible pet owner, then you should take into account spaying or neutering your dog. For one thing, this serves to keep the dog population in check and to avoid having to take care of a lot of unplanned puppies. If you are the owner of a female dog, you need to know that dog pregnancy can pave the way for a lot of problems and can open doors to fatal infections. To counter all these issues, it is advisable to get your dog spayed.
Neutering provides the benefits of providing dog protection against conditions such as prostatitis and testicular tumors. Spaying reduces the risk of mammary tumors along with uterine tumors and infections.
Cost of spaying and neutering
The cost of dog spay or neuter can vary from place to place. If you manage to find an affordable clinic for neutering, the price that you might have to endure lies between $150 and $800. The weight of the dog contributes to this. On the other hand, spaying is a surgical procedure that has the tendency to get complicated, so the cost lies somewhere between $300 and $750.
You will also come across some clinics that charge as much as $900. The cost of neutering and spaying is also affected by the region where you reside and the veterinarian that you contact.
Also Read This Article About Dog Vaccination Price
Understanding the procedure
In the procedure of neutering, an incision is made in front of the scrotum and the testicles are removed, following which the incision is stitched. In spaying, the incision is made in the abdominal wall and the uterus and ovaries are removed, followed by the closure of the incision with stitches. General anesthesia is used for both procedures.
The additional costs to be taken into account
If you have a dog that is in heat or is obese, spaying would cost you more, with the extra amount being roughly around $50. If the dog is pregnant, the amount can rise by $100 to $200.
To ensure that your dog does not experience a lot of pain and to minimize the risk of bleeding and swelling, you can opt for laser surgery, which would offer more precision. However, this would increase the cost significantly.
As mentioned before, the procedures are performed under general anesthesia, prior to which certain tests need to be conducted, including those for checking the functioning of the liver and kidneys. These cost around $90.
Medications for pain before and after surgery would also cost you around $35 to $100, depending on the pills used.
Are You More of a Cat Person? This is The Cost of a Loving Cat
Testicular implants can be acquired for male dogs, which cost around $150 to $1,400. This depends on the size and model that you opt for.
Spaying and neutering are included in the adoption fee by quite a few animal shelters. You can also find organizations and clinics that would offer you the services at a reduced rate. At such places, the amount can lower down to around $75. However, one thing that you would need to keep in mind is that the dog would not get much attention if this is the approach that you opt for.
Factors to consider
A lot of factors have to be taken into account while you decide the place where you would have the dog spayed or neutered. For one thing, you need to find out the type of anesthesia that would be used. You also need to check whether the dog would be attached to a heart monitor while the surgery is being performed. You can inquire about reliable veterinarians from your friends, family, and acquaintances. You can also make use of the internet for the purpose. Before you book a veterinarian, there are certain questions that you would need to ask him. Find out how long they have been in practice and the qualification they have. Also, examine the clinic thoroughly and gauge its cleanliness and the policies that it follows. Compare the prices charged by various clinics and then decide the one that would be suitable for you. Ensure that you take all the relevant factors into account before making a decision.
If You Want a More Exotic Pet, This is The Cost of a Finger Monkey
Should the average working Joe spay or neuter his dog?
Although this procedure, like any other surgery, will be painful, this shouldn’t be the reason to not spay or neuter your dog. This procedure will have a lot of positive effects over the course of your dog’s life, among the most important being the fact that you will prevent your pet from developing a lot of nasty diseases. If you have the necessary funds, you care about your pet and you are sure that you won’t want any puppies from your dog, then spaying or neutering it will be the right decision.
- How Much Does Sylvan Tutoring Cost? - November 28, 2023
- How Much Does Adobe Illustrator Cost? - November 28, 2023
- How Much Does a Wheaten Terrier Cost? - November 27, 2023
Your estimate of spay costs is outdated. In my area of Morrison, Colorado checking 3 animal hospitals, the cost to spay a dog ranges from $400 to $800.
The article has been further researched and new costs have been added. Thank you for your input.