Experiences with Neuter/Spay @ PSPCA

**sometimesilie** · 10-24-2011, 10:15 AM

Hi, I recently began fostering a female dog for a rescue. The rescue wants her spayed prior to putting her up for adoption. When I took her from the shelter under the rescue's name, I also agreed to all costs associated with getting her ready for adoption.

Since I am not a millionaire and see that the PSPCA performs spay operations at a third of the cost of my regular vet ( Spay & Neuter ) I thought I'd see if I could find any input from people who have had any experiences spaying/neutering their pets through this service. Any feedback would be appreciated!

**chrissy72w** · 10-24-2011, 12:08 PM

I've never taken a pet to the PSPCA, but have heard good things. I've gotten the Spay and Neuter certificate from Morris Animal Shelter for $40 and you can use it at a bunch of vets in the area.

Below is a list of participating vets. Just call and make sure they are still accepting the certificate before you buy it.

http://www.morrisanimalrefuge.org/pd...g_Vet_List.pdf

**sometimesilie** · 10-24-2011, 12:54 PM

Thanks Chrissy, that is a useful list. After speaking to someone with a lot of experience with the PSPCA vet clinic I am taking foster dog...if and when I can get through to a live human on their line and set up an app't.

**Gladys** · 10-24-2011, 01:49 PM

I fostered two cat through PSPCA ACCT. which is the surrender shelter. u foster a dog or cat, you feed them and they take care of ALL the vet costs. You just feed the animal. If you have trouble with that they sometimes have food donations and bedding available too!

You just have to find a way to transport the animal back and forth to their clinic which is open EVERY DAY!

Foster Care Program

**devilspocket** · 10-24-2011, 02:05 PM

You didn't specify the dog's breed, but if she is a pit bull or pit mix, PAWS has a 'pay what you can' spay/neuter program for pit bulls. Their clinic is at 29th and Grays Ferry Ave.

PAWS Spay/Neuter Clinic

**sometimesilie** · 10-24-2011, 02:08 PM

That's cool Gladys. I got this pupper from the AHS in Newark, NJ and I am working on civilizing her and taking care of all medical costs (kind of as a donation thing) prior to them putting her up. It's my good deed for the decade

She is cute, an est. 1 year old, and CRAZY, as in OMG I'M A PUPPY HOLY COW DO YOU WANT TO PLAY-- WAIT LET ME PEE ON YOUR CARPET NOW WE'LL PLAY OMG YOU TASTE LIKE A LAMBCHOP OMG!

I catch my 5 yr old man looking at me every now and then like, dude, have you lost your mind bringing her in here?

**sometimesilie** · 10-24-2011, 02:10 PM

I'll post when I get all this taken care of, but after a few times on hold I left a message for an app't. on PSPCA's line and I e-mailed PAWS and filled out their required info. that they sent back.

Anyone know if spaying calms females? I've only ever had boy dogs.

**sometimesilie** · 10-24-2011, 02:13 PM

Oh, and she's a rottie girl, came in as a stray so nothing is known about her but I picked her up on the 8th and prior to that she had been in the pound in Newark, NJ since August.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

**walnuthill** · 10-24-2011, 04:42 PM

One thing to consider: pain management varies widely at different vet offices, and by and large, is not as good at low-cost clinics. Generally speaking the animal gets an injection of pain meds at the clinic and once that wears off, nothing else. (That has been my own experience, anyway.) Neutering isn't so bad, but think about getting a full hysterectomy and not much in the way of pain meds...ow. Obviously the benefit of low-cost spay/neuter FAR outweighs the discomfort an animal may feel for a few days after a procedure--I am 100% in support of the PSPCA and PAWS and the amazing work they do in the community. But if you have a choice money-wise, you might ask about pain medication and what the difference is between the clinic's pain management protocol vs. your vet office's.

**sometimesilie** · 10-24-2011, 04:48 PM

The PSPCA site estimated post surgery pain med cost at $19, so it seems like they provide it.

I have an appointment at PAWS next week and you have reminded me to find out from them whether they will provide pain meds. The doggy will have appropriate meds to be sure, she won't suffer even if I have to go to my regular vet. Probably can get some from the rescue as well. Thanks for bringing up that point now so I don't have to worry about it next week after the fact!

**Merciel** · 10-24-2011, 05:42 PM

I've had two female foster dogs get spayed in the past six months -- one at the Grays Ferry clinic, the other through a private vet in New Jersey who worked with that rescue. Both surgeries went uneventfully. The dogs were on exercise/leash restriction for a week and that was it. I had Rimadyl (the most common doggy painkiller pill) prescribed for use on an "as needed" basis, but it never actually seemed to be needed so after the first day I didn't administer it.

Spaying can calm female dogs but I have also read that it can make some of them more aggressive/assertive as a result of the hormonal changes associated with loss of the female sex organs. It doesn't sound like that's an issue for your foster pup (just a rambunctious young adult, right?) so I wouldn't worry about it.

Personally I noticed zero behavioral changes in my fosters as a result of spay surgery (other than the obvious lethargy and recuperation after the surgery itself), but I also didn't keep them for more than a couple of weeks after they got spayed, so my opportunity to observe was limited at best.

**Pibbles** · 10-24-2011, 07:05 PM

Originally Posted by sometimesilie

The PSPCA site estimated post surgery pain med cost at $19, so it seems like they provide it.

I have an appointment at PAWS next week and you have reminded me to find out from them whether they will provide pain meds. The doggy will have appropriate meds to be sure, she won't suffer even if I have to go to my regular vet. Probably can get some from the rescue as well. Thanks for bringing up that point now so I don't have to worry about it next week after the fact!

I had my male dog neutered at PAWS and they provided meds. They'll take good care of her there. I don't know if it's going to calm her down though, once she's recovered. Just make sure you keep a close eye on her for a few days after the surgery. Sometimes dogs can have weird behavioral reactions from the anesthesia (ie. aggression). I'd also keep the dogs separated for a bit if you can't supervise them closely. Good luck and you're doing a great thing!

**ColeenH** · 10-24-2011, 09:28 PM

I've had over a dozen dogs and cats spayed/neutered at the PSPCA clinic. Most were ACCT fosters, but one was a "private" foster (no rescue backing), so I paid for that neuter out-of-pocket. I also paid a little extra for post-surgery pain meds. I would recommend the PSPCA clinic. I've not had any personal experience with the PAWS spay/neuter clinic, but have heard about good experiences from others, and would recommend them as well.

**Gladys** · 10-24-2011, 11:02 PM

Originally Posted by sometimesilie

The PSPCA site estimated post surgery pain med cost at $19, so it seems like they provide it.

I have an appointment at PAWS next week and you have reminded me to find out from them whether they will provide pain meds. The doggy will have appropriate meds to be sure, she won't suffer even if I have to go to my regular vet. Probably can get some from the rescue as well. Thanks for bringing up that point now so I don't have to worry about it next week after the fact!

sounds like you will be a great furmom! as far as spaying calming females... in my experience not once they recover! Just give the pup plenty of exercise and you'll be fine!

**manewg** · 10-25-2011, 08:08 AM

I had my black lab/rot mix spayed at the SPCA on Erie Ave. It cost 80 bucks and it went quickly and she was totally fine. Definitely would do it again.

**sometimesilie** · 10-25-2011, 03:06 PM

Thanks for all your feedback. PAWS said that pain meds are available if needed (?) so I will bring some home just in case.

It's going to be a long week keeping her slow. She is a rambunctious sub adult who likes to rough house with my 5 yr old rottie who has a 100 lbs on her but not a quarter of her energy. Mine needs to lose weight, so I am hoping this helps.

As soon as she is spayed she is going to go on the rescue's website for adoption- Kodi's Club - and we'll be keeping our paws crossed that she gets a family of her own soon.

**chrissy72w** · 10-25-2011, 04:49 PM

Of course she is energetic. Can you imagine being in the pound for two months with little exercise or attention? Now she is in this whole new world or excitement. And when my Mom got her second dog, the older one slimmed down a lot and started being more playful. So it can be a benefit. Rotties are good dogs, can be a little "distracted" at times, but with gentle leadership can become a terrific pet. You just have to be consistent.

And bravo to you for fostering a dog. It takes a kind person to be a foster.

**sometimesilie** · 10-26-2011, 12:29 PM

She is a ham for sure, very sweet personality and very mischievous--she's intelligent and generally knows when she's doing something wrong so will try and sneak it (like a slipper) when I've dropped my guard.

She will be making somebody a fantastic pet. My guy has helped immensely since the two rough house and he redirects some of that pup energy away from me. That's why I buy him a thank you steak every weekend we have her with us

Exercise definitely helps him and she has a calming effect on him when we are walking on the leash as if he has to act more dignified now and show the youngster how it's done.

**sometimesilie** · 11-02-2011, 02:45 PM

So I dropped the pupper off for her appointment this morning at PAWS. The woman at the front desk was extremely nice and professional. I have heard people say they have a tough time getting through to staff, but I arranged all this by e-mail and got very prompt responses to all my questions, including the first.

I am not looking forward to keeping this gal quiet. She is not a "keep quiet" kind of dog...

**Merciel** · 11-02-2011, 04:41 PM

Crates, frozen Kongs, attention/mental focus games... and the constant reminder, recited to yourself like a prayer, that you only have to keep the dog calmed down for five to seven days.