For females, spaying involves removing all reproductive organs, for males, neutering involves removing the testicles. Your puppies overall health and wellbeing will be greatly enhanced by spaying or neutering. All MollyDogs puppies are sold with spay and neuter requirements for this very reason. Your puppy should be spayed or neutered around 4 – 6 months of age. For female dogs the spay will reduce or eliminate the risk of mammary tumors, uterine infections/cancer, for males a neuter removes the risk of prostate or testicular cancer, also will make them less likely to roam (search for a “friend”!), and you will have less of the urine marking, mounting, and aggressive behaviors. You will notice the difference, not all at once but within a couple of weeks.

Finding the Vet that is Right For You

A good veterinarian will be patient and willing to answer all your puppy questions.

Look for a Vet that you feel comfortable talking to, one that you’re not too embarrassed to ask those “dumb” questions. You should never feel like you’re being talked down to, intimidated or rushed. This goes for all the other staff that work there as well, not just the Vet. Communication is key.

Ask your breeder, if you live in the same area, who they use, ask family members and friends who they use, if they’re happy with the care their pet receives and how they are treated during office visits.

Phone around and compare prices. Vets charge for an office visit and sometimes when a follow up visit is required some Vet’s will not charge for the follow up visit, some will, sometimes at a reduced cost, sometimes for a full charge again. Don’t be afraid to ask or challenge them on this, YOU are the customer!

When you are quoted a price make sure that is the price for the entire procedure that is being done on your pet. Ask about "hidden" costs, lately we have had customers report back that they are quoted a price say, for a spay, and then when they pick up the pet there are additional charges for administering the drugs, charges per minute for the Vet to perform the surgery, all types of things so just make sure you are clear on the costs before you agree to the procedure. Ask for the "completed" price. That way you are making an informed decision.

What are the Vet’s ideas/protocol on care? There are holistic Vets that have certain beliefs regarding vaccinating, raw food diets and may use non traditional things like acupuncture. You may be okay with that or have similar beliefs, you will want to consider that when you are looking for a Vet.

Is this a Vet that is quick to order tests and invasive procedures that may not ultimately be necessary, or is this a Vet that will say maybe we can try something else first, lets wait and see how the dog does with this other method.

If you choose a “multi-Vet” clinic ask if you can always see the same Vet or will you have to use whoever is there. Try and get to know all the Vets at that clinic if they will be treating your pet.

Visiting the Vet's Office

Always take all your pet’s health records with you when go. Give your puppy a treat when going to the Vet’s.

If you are going because your pet has been ill, keep a record of the symptoms and things like food intake, changes in behaviour, and changes in urination and bowel movements. This will be very beneficial for the Vet.

If your puppy has not finished its shots PLEASE carry your puppy in your arms or their kennel.

Do Not put them on the sidewalk outside the Vet’s office Or on the floors in the Vet’s office as other sick animals are in and out of there all the time and you don’t want your pet to pick something up. So please keep their little paws off the ground and floor!