How Much Does It Cost to Spay a Female Dog in Texas?

As a dog owner in Texas, you may have found yourself searching on Google for “How much does it cost to neuter a female dog in Texas?”

It’s a common misconception, but let’s clear things up real fast: female dogs are spayed, while male dogs are neutered.

But don’t worry; the differences can be confusing, and both procedures are crucial for pet population control and your dog’s health. So, how much does it cost to spay a female dog – and how can you ensure that you’ve chosen the best option in your area?

Let’s break down the costs of spaying a female dog in Texas, why it’s so important, and how you can access affordable spay services through the Texas Coalition for Animal Protection (TCAP).

Spaying vs. Neutering: What’s The Difference?

It’s easy to confuse spaying and neutering – after all, both are trying to accomplish a similar goal. Before we look at the cost, let’s clarify the terminology:
Spaying is for female dogs. It involves removing the ovaries and usually the uterus.
Neutering is for male dogs. It involves removing the testicles, and preventing the dog from reproducing.
Both procedures prevent unwanted pregnancies and offer significant health benefits, including reducing the risk of certain cancers and extending your pet’s lifespan by 3-5 years. Plus, they can help to tone down the hormone-fueled behaviors like aggression and roaming.

The Cost of Spaying a Female Dog in Texas

The cost to spay a dog in Texas can vary widely, typically ranging from $50 to $500. Here’s a breakdown of what you might expect to pay:
Low-cost clinics: $50-$150
Humane societies: $50-$200
Private veterinarians: $200-$500
However, at TCAP, we offer even more affordable options to ensure every pet owner can access this crucial service.

TCAP’s Affordable Spay Services

At TCAP, we believe that cost should never be a barrier to responsible pet ownership. That’s why we offer some of the most competitive prices for spay services in Texas:

Dogs 2 lbs – 49 lbs: $55
Dogs 50 lbs – 79 lbs: $65

For puppies, we offer an exceptional value with our Puppy Spay/Neuter & Vaccine Wellness Package for just $150. This comprehensive package includes:

Three vaccine visits
Spay/neuter surgery
Post-surgery pain medication
A cone
A microchip
A free gift

This package must be purchased before your pet is 4 months old and used before they’re 7 months old, making it an excellent option for new puppy owners.

What Factors Affect the Cost of Spaying?

Spaying can vary depending on the age and size of your pet, as well as their overall health and any pre-existing conditions. Here are some of the factors we consider before we give you an estimate for a neuter or spay service:

Dog’s size: Larger dogs may cost more due to increased anesthesia needs.
Dog’s age: Older dogs might require additional pre-surgery tests.
Location: Prices can vary depending on where you live in Texas.
Facility type: Private vets often charge more than low-cost clinics like TCAP.
Any additional services: Some packages include extras like pain medication or post-op check-ups.

At TCAP, we’re transparent about any additional fees. For example, we offer:

24-Hour Pain Injection: $10
Pain Med Combo (injection + take-home meds): $15
E-Collar/Cone (included for males): $10
Antibiotics: $15

Why is Spaying Important?

Spaying your female dog isn’t just about preventing unwanted puppies. It also helps prevent certain health issues:
Reduces the risk of mammary tumors and uterine infections
Eliminates the mess and discomfort of heat cycles
Can lead to a longer, healthier life for your pet
Helps control the pet population in Texas
Did you know that approximately 125,000 cats and dogs are euthanized in Texas shelters every year? By spaying your female dog, you’re directly contributing to reducing this number and saving lives.

Spaying and Canine Distemper Prevention

While spaying doesn’t directly prevent canine distemper, it’s an excellent opportunity to discuss overall health with your vet.
Canine distemper is a serious viral illness that can be prevented through vaccination. At TCAP, we offer affordable vaccination packages alongside our spay services, allowing you to protect your dog against distemper and other diseases while getting her spayed.
Our wellness options include:

Rabies Vaccine: $5
Basic Full Set of Vaccines: $25
Heartworm Test: $20
Microchip w/ Surgery: $20

Preparing for Your Dog’s Spay Surgery at TCAP

Once you’ve scheduled your dog’s spay surgery at TCAP, you may be wondering how best to help them (and maybe yourself) prepare for the experience. Here’s some information that can help you prepare for the best spay or neuter service!

Drop-off is between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., and pick-up is at 3 p.m.
Your pet should not have any food or water after 10 p.m. the night before surgery.
Pets must be at least 10 weeks old but younger than 5 years old to qualify for TCAP’s sterilization program.
Your dog must weigh at least 2 lbs but not more than 79.9 lbs.
All pets must have written proof of a current rabies vaccine or receive the vaccine at the time of surgery for an additional $5.
After surgery, follow these tips for a smooth recovery:
Prepare a quiet, comfortable recovery space at home.
Use the provided Elizabethian collar (cone) to prevent licking of the surgical site.
Plan to limit your dog’s activity for 10-14 days post-surgery.
Follow all post-operative care instructions provided by TCAP staff.

TCAP Locations in Texas

We believe that spay and neuter services should be accessible to everyone. That’s why TCAP offers convenient locations throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area:

Allen
Arlington
Burleson
Denton
Fort Worth
Garland
Hurst
Weatherford

We also offer remote shelter spay and transport locations in Azle, Cleburne, Granbury, and Hillsboro.

Trust TCAP for Your Dog’s Spay Surgery

Spaying your female dog in Texas is a crucial decision that doesn’t have to break the bank. With TCAP’s affordable options starting from just $55, there’s a solution for every budget..
Whether you choose TCAP’s Puppy Wellness Package or a standard spay surgery, the most important thing is getting your female dog spayed. It’s a simple procedure that can have a big impact on your dog’s health and happiness, as well as the broader community of pets in Texas.
For more information on TCAP’s low-cost spay services in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, or to learn about other essential health services like distemper vaccination, visit our website or contact us today. Let’s work together to keep Texas dogs healthy, happy, and to reduce pet overpopulation in our great state!

Remember, at TCAP, we believe in “Lowest Cost, Best Care.” Schedule your dog’s spay appointment today and join us in our mission to improve animal welfare in Texas, one pet at a time.

What Age Should a Female Dog Be Spayed?

Deciding to spay or neuter your dog is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a pet parent. If you own a female dog, you may be wondering when the best age is to have them spayed. Sterilizing your dog will impact their future behavior and can improve their health outcomes.

At the Texas Coalition for Animal Protection, we offer affordable spay surgeries in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. We’ve provided low-cost spay and neutering services for over 700,000 pets in North Texas. This guide offers in-depth advice on what age you should spay a female dog at, the aftercare involved, and the behavioral changes to expect.

What is Spaying?

Spaying a female dog (also known as neutering) is a preventative procedure to stop pregnancies, including phantom pregnancies. It can also reduce the risk of your dog developing certain health complications, including cancer.

Spaying is a surgical procedure carried out by a vet, who will remove some or all your dog’s reproductive organs.

What Age Should a Female Dog Be Spayed?

There are two different fields of thought on the best age for neutering a female dog. Traditionally, vets have recommended that your dog is spayed before its first season or 12 weeks after it’s been in heat. Today, many vets are now aiming to spay dogs within at least four months of the end of their last cycle. This approach can be tricky as it requires you to identify your dog’s heat cycle.

Some dog behaviorists have recommended against the traditional approach as puppies require their hormones to properly mature into an adult dog. Many now suggest waiting three months after a cycle or as close as possible to the next cycle to book your dog’s spaying.

Should You Spay Before Their First Season?

TCAP guidelines state that pets must be at least 10 weeks old before they are spayed. Each heat cycle that your dog goes through increases their risk of pyometra and breast cancer.

There’s no exact way of knowing when your dog will go into her first heat, but it can be helpful to know her family history to try and predict this. Some dogs can benefit from going through one heat season, especially larger breeds, highly active dogs, and breeds prone to joint issues and incontinence problems. One season allows their joints and vulva to develop better. TCAP only performs sterilization on pets less than five years old.

However, if your female dog is in an environment with another female dog of the same age or breed and if there are already signs of tension. The higher hormone levels a dog has during their season may result in aggression between your dogs, so spaying before the first season could prevent this.

Dog Spaying Surgery

What occurs during a spay surgery? At TCAP, the veterinarian performs a full ovariohysterectomy. This procedure involves the removal of both the uterus and ovaries.

Do not give pets food after 10 pm the night before surgery. Your dog will be given medication to make them sleepy before being put under a full anesthetic for surgery.

Spaying surgeries are performed with an incision made at the belly, which is then closed with internal dissolvable stitches and surgical glue or external stitches. After surgery, your dog will be taken to a recovery area until the anesthetic wears off. You can expect to be reunited with your dog later that day.

Aftercare for Dog Spaying

Once your dog is back home, you’ll want to keep them in a calm environment, avoiding loud noise. Avoid having your dog move too much for the first day. You can take them outside on a lead to relieve themselves, preventing them from walking too much.

You’ll want to keep an eye on your dog to prevent them from licking their stitches to avoid infection. Your dog will likely be sent home with a doughnut collar to prevent wound irritation. You can expect to take your dog back to the clinic for a post-surgery check-up a few days afterward. After 10 days, you can put your dog back onto their regular routine.

Behavioral and Nutritional Needs After Spaying

Spaying your dog removes the hormones that can result in increased aggression and reactivity during heat. However, it won’t remove any existing negative behavior that your dog may be presenting outside of heat, which may require the help of a dog behavioralist or trainer.

It’s worth noting that spaying will also change your dog’s nutritional needs. It’s common for dogs to gain weight in the weeks and months after their spaying surgery due to changes in their metabolism. Your vet may recommend adjusting your dog’s food intake and most dog food brands offer specially formulated food for spayed dogs to ensure they meet their nutritional needs.

Book an Affordable Spay Appointment for Your Dog

Spaying your female dog has extensive health benefits, including reducing their risk of breast cancer and preventing uterine infection. It can also help reduce animal overpopulation and minimize mating-related behavior from dogs by removing their heat cycles.

Are you planning to spay your dog? Schedule an appointment or get a quote today. Do you have a question about neutering your female dog? Call our team at 940-566-5551 or use our chatbot for more information.

Can You Spay a Dog in Heat?

It’s easy to lose track of time when you have a dog. Getting your dog spayed might not be a priority, especially if you don’t have other dogs. You might decide to have your dog spayed and then realize they’re in heat. This situation happens more often than you might think.

When your dog is in heat, you might feel in a rush to have them spayed. This leads to a major question for dog owners. Can you spay a dog in heat? Yes, but there are things to consider. A dog in heat will have a slightly more complicated surgery and be under anesthesia for longer as a result, increasing the potential risks of complications. Most vets will spay a dog in heat as the right surgical technique and aftercare can minimize risks.

At the Texas Coalition for Animal Protection, we offer affordable spay surgeries in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. We’ve provided low-cost spay and neutering services for over 700,000 pets in North Texas. In this article, we’re exploring the topic of spaying a dog in heat, including how to care for your pet post-surgery.

How Can I Tell If My Dog Is in Heat?

The first thing to do is determine if your dog is in heat. There are several signs to look out for, including change in appetite, more aggressive behavior, excessive licking, and bloody discharge. It’s normal for a dog who isn’t spayed to be in heat, starting from as early as 6 months through to 2 years of age. When your dog enters heat will often depend on their breed.

Understanding Your Dog’s Heat Cycle

Dogs go into heat – also known as ‘season’ – twice annually. Female dogs are not fertile outside of these one or two weeks of their heat cycle. It’s impossible to accurately guess when your female dog will go through her first season. However, if you also own the dog’s mother, you may be able to predict it based on when she went into her first heat. Small dogs will often go into their first heat at a younger age, while larger dogs will go into heat closer to the 18-month mark.

The duration of time a dog stays in heat varies between breeds and dogs themselves. The average dog will be in heat for an estimated 18 days. However, some breeds can be in heat for seven to 10 days. Behavioral changes are often the easiest way to tell that your dog is in heat as they’re more likely to show aggression, have an increase in physical activity, and sow postural changes.

Most dog owners find themselves spaying a dog in heat if the dog enters heat earlier than originally expected. If you find yourself in this situation, having your dog spayed can help prevent pregnancy.

Humans and dogs have different reproductive cycles. Unlike humans, dogs don’t experience menopause and can continue to have pregnancies through to their senior years. Instead, cycles will occur less often, but a senior pregnancy can pose significant risks. Dogs over 8 years old are at a heightened risk of developing pyometra, a serious uterine infection that can be life-threatening.

Can I Have My Dog Spayed When She’s in Heat?

Most dogs can be spayed when they’re in heat. It will be up to the vet to determine whether your dog is a suitable candidate. Typically, most vets will recommend that a dog is spayed with either their ovaries or entire uterus removed before or immediately after their first cycle.

If you decide to have your dog spayed while in heat, it may be more challenging for the surgeon to locate the ovaries. One of the main complications that can arise is excessive bleeding.

However, spaying a dog in heat has become significantly more straight-forward in recent years. Veterinarians are now more prepared with surgical techniques to enable them to take extra care when working on these dogs. The surgery is usually more time-consuming as the vet will want to work slowly with extra care to avoid excessive traction.

How Dogs are Spayed While in Heat

Vets will use a different technique when spaying a dog in heat. For example, they’ll set aside more time and use more suture materials during surgery to reduce the risk of complications.

Spaying a dog when they’re in heat is considered riskier as there is an increased blood supply to the uterus. This situation may feel daunting for less experienced surgeons. Spaying a dog in heat would be considered a more complicated case as a result, as the tissue must be handled delicately to prevent accidental tearing.

However, technology has evolved, and suture materials are now more widely accessible, giving vets the confidence to perform spays on dogs in heat. Vets also have the option of laparoscopic surgery to improve visualization of the uterus and ovaries to reduce complications.

How to Care for Your Dog Post-Spay Surgery

After surgery, your dog will need 10 to 14 days to recover. It’s a time when you want to pamper your pet and give them plenty of space and peace to recover. Rest is crucial to reduce the risk of your dog damaging their internal or external stitches, preventing further complications.

There are active steps you can take to make your dog more comfortable during this time. One of the most important things to do is to stop your dog from licking their wounds. If your dog continuously tries to lick their stitches, an Elizabeth cone can help prevent this.

Ideally, you should avoid allowing your dog to walk other than when they’re going to the bathroom. Your vet may prescribe pain medication and provide directions on how to use this for your dog, depending on their weight and age. If your dog is spayed when they’re in heat, they should be separated from male dogs for at least two to three weeks after surgery.

Book an Affordable Spay Appointment for Your Dog

Spaying your dog provides extensive health benefits, reducing their risk of breast cancer and preventing uterine infection. It can also help reduce animal overpopulation and remove mating-related behavior from dogs by removing their heat cycles. Are you planning to spay your dog? Schedule an appointment or get a quote today.

Photo by Baptist Standaert on Unsplash