In San Antonio, affordable spay and neuter services are crucial. According to the ASPCA, over 6 million dogs and cats enter shelters in the U.S. every year. Of those, approximately 920,000 have to be euthanized. This is often simply because the shelters do not have the capacity to house so many homeless pets. Spaying or neutering your pet prevents unwanted pregnancies, which often result in puppies or kittens that can’t be properly cared for, eventually ending up on the street or in shelters.

In addition to helping manage the pet population, spaying and neutering your pet also has behavioral benefits. For one, spayed female pets do not go into heat. This means that, as an owner, you don’t have to worry about cleaning up any resulting messes or separating them from male pets who are drawn to their smell. In male cats and dogs, neutering often reduces aggression as well as behaviors such as wandering from home in an attempt to find a mate, and mounting other pets.

Low Cost Pet Vet in San Antonio offers a more affordable alternative for spaying and neutering your dog or cat. Here we outline some of the requirements for the procedure, as well as pricing and optional add-ons.

What are the requirements to spay or neuter my pet?

Your pet must be current on their vaccinations and heartworm prevention before surgery. We want to make sure they’re healthy and that the clinic stays sanitary and disease-free while they’re boarding with us. For the same reason, they must also be free of fleas and ticks.

Visit one of our mobile clinics for low cost and efficient vaccination services! If it’s your pet’s first time getting vaccinated, make sure they get them done at least 2 weeks before surgery.

We recommend waiting until your pet has finished growing before getting them spayed or neutered. However, we know that some pet owners may need to get the procedure done sooner in order to prevent unwanted pregnancy and/or behavior issues. At the earliest, we can spay or neuter your pet once they’re current on all of their vaccinations.

How much does a spay or neuter cost at our low cost vet clinic? The chart below shows the base rate for San Antonio affordable spays and neuters at Low Cost Pet Vet.

These prices are a base rate, that include:

An exam the morning of surgery
Day boarding
Preanesthetic medications
Analgesia
An antibiotic injection
Oxygen and gas anesthesia
Electronic monitoring
Surgical prep
Oral post-op pain medication
The surgical procedure
A complimentary nail trim

Note that the base rate will be higher for riskier or more involved surgeries, such as those for pets that are overweight, pregnant, in heat, or have certain medical conditions. To be provided with an official estimate tailored to your pet’s needs, schedule a consultation at Low Cost Pet Vet today.

All surgeries require a deposit when scheduled, which will go towards the procedure.

Optional Surgery Add-Ons:

By keeping these services optional, we are able to make the cost more affordable for our clients. These are not required for a successful surgery, but are recommended for additional security.

IV Fluids ($59) – They give the veterinarian immediate access to your pet’s bloodstream, help keep them hydrated and maintain their blood pressure during surgery.

Bloodwork ($105) – Running bloodwork before your pet’s surgery is a good way to monitor them for any illness or condition that cannot be detected from a physical exam, as well as to be aware of their general health status. Bloodwork is especially recommended for pets that are 7 years or older.

Microchipping ($29) – Normally $40, microchipping is discounted for pets coming in for surgery, and can be administered while they are under anesthesia. Microchipping is recommended for all pets and also required in many cities.

X-Rays (exam required) – If for any reason your pet needs x-rays, this can be done while they’re under anesthesia for high quality results.

Biopsy (exam required) – If your pet has a growth that you would like a biopsy to be performed on, a sample can be taken while they’re under anesthesia to be sent to a lab for review. If you would like the growth to be completely removed, a consultation can be scheduled to discuss options and pricing with the veterinarian.

Best Age to Spay or Neuter Your Pet

Why spay or neuter?

There are many reasons why it’s a good idea to spay or neuter your pet. For one, it helps keep pets off of the streets and out of shelters.

We generally recommend spaying or neutering your household pet, but the question remains: When is the best time?

When to spay or neuter my cat?

Based on current research, we recommend that owners spay and neuter cats by five months of age. Spaying a female cat before her first heat prevents unwanted pregnancies and has been shown to reduce the risk of developing mammary cancer. In male cats, neutering by this age decreases spraying and marking.

When to spay or neuter my dog?

As with cats, studies have shown that the risk of a female dog developing a mammary tumor is lower if she’s spayed before her first heat cycle.^[1]With each cycle, there is also an increased risk of developing pyometra, a life-threatening infection of the uterus.

On the other hand, studies have indicated negative effects if sterilization is performed too early in the lifespan of a dog. Research done by the University of California in Davis^[2]has shown that spaying or neutering a dog when it’s too young can increase the risk of certain joint disorders, cancers, and urinary incontinence.

Taking the various factors into consideration, we recommend waiting until your dog is fully grown before being spayed or neutered. This is so it can continue to benefit from the hormonal exposure that occurs during the growth process, thereby mitigating risks linked to early spays and neuters.

The age at which a dog is fully grown varies depending on its breed. The following chart can be used as a general guideline on when to spay or neuter your dog, based on breed size:

Small-size breeds (terriers, chihuahuas, etc.) – 6 to 7 months

Medium-size breeds (collies, boxers, etc.) – 8 to 9 months

Large-size breeds (german shepherds, golden retrievers, etc.) – 10 months to a year

Largest size breeds (great danes, bernards, etc.) – Over a year

Finally, we recommend discussing options with our veterinarians during your appointment so they can advise you on the best route to take based on your pet’s particular needs.

Book Your San Antonio Affordable Spay or Neuter Today!

We offer San Antonio affordable spay & neuter services at Low Cost Pet Vet. Book your spay/neuter appointment today at a price you can afford, without sacrificing high quality medicine, friendly service and convenient scheduling.