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What is the average cost to spay a dog?

There is no average, even in a given town.

Most veterinarians fell into a trap decades ago, thinking of a spay or neuter as a “loss leader”, to bring a new client in and retain them for future services. It hasn't worked out that way, as the person wanting just low cost for the surgery often will want the lowest cost for everything, including overall medical care. The result today is prices that range from $75 to $1000+ for a dog spay.

What you DON’T get when price shopping for surgery is a true comparison, especially for what many general practice veterinarians consider to be their most difficult surgery. After all, we are anesthetizing an (often) juvenile patient and removing the uterus and ovaries. This is full abdominal surgery. For an older patient, the surgery is even more risky and technically difficult.

Some pricing factors:

  • Is every patient given a presurgical exam that day?

  • Is that dog weighed, and anesthetic doses calculated based upon today’s weight?

  • Does the doctor take into consideration for the anesthetic protocol THIS animal’s breed, health, and history?

  • Is an IV catheter placed, and IV fluids run continuously throughout the procedure?

  • Is the patient kept on a warming blanket while under anesthesia?

  • Are anti-inflammatory and pain medications given prior to anesthesia, to be in effect when surgery begins?

  • Is the surgeon working with at least one LICENSED veterinary technician (currently evolving into “Licensed veterinary nurse”)?

  • Is the surgery room clean, and used for only one patient at a time?

  • Is a separate, sterile, instrument pack used for each surgery?

  • Is the surgeon in a fresh sterile cap, mask, gown, and gloves, using proper scrub procedures in a proper scrub sink, for each surgery?

  • Is every patient intubated to maintain an open airway?

  • Is every patient monitored for temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, heart rhythm, and is the anesthesia depth adjusted continuously as needed by a trained nurse?

  • Is each patient monitored by a nurse after surgery until able to get onto her sternum (chest)?

  • Are post-surgical patients monitored continuously for several more hours?

  • Is each patient sent home with pain medication?

And I haven’t even discussed the training and experience of the surgeon. How thorough is the surgical technique? We have seen patients that other doctors spayed, where shortcuts were taken, such as skipping double-ligation (two separate knots where the surgeon is tying off separated tissues and vessels), not using absorbable suture as much as possible, and not closing each of the three layers of the incision separately.

If you want a dog in the US, studies show you will spend $12000 - 18000 over a dog’s life, EXCLUDING veterinary care - food, treats, collars, leashes, beds, vacation boarding, sweaters, toys, and more. Please don't risk this by trying to get a cheap surgery.

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Our Regular Schedule

Gresham Office

Monday:

7:30 am-6:00 pm

Tuesday:

7:30 am-7:00 pm

Wednesday:

7:30 am-6:00 pm

Thursday:

7:30 am-6:00 pm

Friday:

7:30 am-6:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

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