Spaying in Dogs

What is meant by ovariohysterectomy or spaying?

Spaying is the common term to describe the surgical procedure known scientifically as an ovariohyterectomy. In this procedure, the ovaries and uterus are removed completely in order to sterilize a female dog.

What are the advantages of spaying in the female dog?

We recommend that all dogs be spayed. Several health benefits are associated with spaying your dog. First, spaying eliminates the risk of ovarian and uterine cancers. Second, breast cancer is the number one type of cancer diagnosed in intact or un-spayed female dogs. If your dog is spayed before her first heat cycle there is less then 1/2 of 1% chance (0.5%) of developing breast cancer. With every subsequent heat cycle, the risk of developing breast cancer increased. After about 2.5 years of age, ovariohysterectomy offers no protective benefit against developing breast cancer.

Is spaying performed for any other reason?

The operation may be performed for several medical conditions. These include:

• Treatment of intractable false or phantom pregnancy
• Treatment of irregular or abnormal cycles due to ovarian cysts
• Treatment of uterine infection (pyometra) or cancer
• Dystocia (difficult birthing) or post caesarean-section surgery
• An aid to correction of certain behavioral abnormalities

What are the disadvantages?

Most of the perceived disadvantages are false. The most quoted of these are that the dog will become fat, lazy, and useless as a guard dog. Obesity is probably the most commonly quoted disadvantage of spaying. Obesity is the result of overfeeding and lack of physical activity. The role of female hormones in preventing obesity is poorly understood. By regulating your dog's diet and caloric intake, you can prevent obesity in spayed females.

Spaying doesn't cause a change in personality, guarding instincts, intelligence, playfulness or affection.

"Spaying doesn't cause a change in personality, guarding instincts, intelligence, playfulness or affection."

When should the operation be performed?

We recommend ovariohysterectomy beginning at six months of age for the majority of female dogs. Larger breed dogs are recommended after their first heat but BEFORE their second heat cycle. The age recommendation for large breed female dogs is around 11 months.

Are there any dangers associated with the operation?

Spaying is a major abdominal surgery and requires general anesthesia. With any anesthetic the risk of serious complications, including death, is always possible. With modern anesthetics and monitoring equipment, the risk of a complication is very low.  The potential complications include:

Anesthetic Reaction

Any individual dog can have an unexpected adverse reaction following the administration of any drug or anesthetic. Such cases are impossible to predict, but are extremely rare.

Another potential danger associated with anesthetic arises if the dog is not properly fasted prior to anesthetic. Anesthetized patients lose the normal relex ability to swallow; during swallowing the epiglottis, a cartilage flap at the entrance to the windpipe, closes and prevents food or water from entering the lungs. If there is food in the stomach, the dog could vomit while under anthesia or in the early post-anesthetic period, allowing the food to enter the lungs and cause aspiration pneumonia, a potentially life threatening condition.

Illness will increase the risks associated with anesthesia. Pre-operative blood work is a very useful screening test that may detect pre-existing problems that could interfere with the pet's ability to handle anesthetic drugs. Our blood work package includes a CBC (complete blood count including red blood cells, white blood cells and platelet function) and full biochemistry package (analyzing 12 internal components). 

To minimize the risks, it is important that all pre-operative instuctions are strictly followed and that you report any signs of illness or previous medical conditions to your veterinarian prior to any sedation or surgery.

Internal Bleeding

This can occue if a ligature around a blood vessel breaks or slips off after the abdomen had been closed. This is very rare, and is more likely to occur if the dog if extremely active. Clinical signs include weakness, pale gums, depression, anorexia or a distented abdomen.

Post-Operative Infection

This may occur internally or externally around the incision site. In most cases, the infection can be controlled with antibiotics. A post-operative infection most commonly occurs when the dog licks the site excessively or is in a damp or unsanitary environment,

What happens when I leave my dog for this procedure?

Your pet will be examined by a veterinarian and pre-anesthetic blood tests will usually be performed. If everything is acceptable, your pet will be anesthetized. Your pets will have an intravenous catheter placed to administer the anesthetic and to provide fluid therapy during the surgery. After your pet is anesthetized, a breathing tube will be placed in her trachea or windpipe. This will allow the delivery of oxygen and gas anesthetic directly into the lungs. The surgery consists of making an incision just below the umbilicus and removing both the ovaries and uterus. Absorbable sutures will be used and do not require removal.

Are there any post-operative precautions I should take?

"Rest and restriction of activity are the primary post-operative care you should provide."

Rest and restriction of activity are the primary post-operative care you should provide. Most dogs can resume normal activity seven to fourteen days after surgery. Until then, short leash walks, lots of rest, and no running or climbing stairs are the rule.