Why should I have my pet spayed?
We recommend spaying all female pets. The benefits to your pet's health and to help reduce the pet overpopulation crisis make this decision easier.
What are the advantages of spaying in the female dog?
Prevention of "heat" or estrus. When in "heat", the female experiences an urge to escape in order to find a mate. This unwanted and dangerous behavior is eliminated.
It eliminates the possibility of false pregnancy following the "heat cycle"
Prevention of uterine infection known as pyometra
The prevention of breast cancer. Dogs spayed before the first "heat" have less than 0.5% chance of developing breast cancer.
Elimination of the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer
What are the disadvantages?
Most of the perceived disadvantages are false. The most quoted of these are that the cat or 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. By regulating your pet's diet and caloric intake, you can prevent obesity in neutered or intact males.
Spaying doesn't cause a change in personality, guarding instincts, intelligence, playfulness or affection.
When should the operation be performed?
Research reveals that spaying a pet at an early age does not cause any increased risk. Most veterinarians recommend spaying at six months of age.
What is involved in having my dog admitted for a surgery?
Animals that are scheduled for surgery should not be fed any food after 8pm the evening prior to the scheduled surgery. Fasting your pet ensures that she will not vomit during the anesthetic. Our surgeries are admitted between 8:30am and 9:00 am the day of surgery and are usually able to go home between 3:30pm and 6:00pm the same day.
Our staff will call you after your pet is awake and sitting up in it's kennel to let you know how the procedure went.
Is there any alternative to surgery?
Not at the present time, although there are several promising advances being made in this area.
Are there any dangers associated with the operation?
Spaying is considered a major operation and requires general anesthesia. With modern anesthetics and monitoring equipment, the risk of a complication is very low. It has been said that your pet has a greater chance of being injured in a car wreck than having an anesthetic or surgical complication.
What happens when I leave my pet for this procedure?
Your pet will be examined by your veterinarian and pre-anesthetic blood tests will usually be performed. If everything is acceptable, your pet will then be anesthetized. Most 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 the gas anesthetic directly into the lungs. The surgery consists of making a small incision just below the umbilicus and removing the ovaries and uterus. Many veterinarians use absorbable sutures so that you do not have to return to have them removed.
Are there any post-operative precautions I should take?
Rest and restriction of activity are the primary post-operative care you should provide. Most pets can resume normal activity five to ten days after surgery. Until then, leash walks, no running or climbing stairs and lots of rest are the rule.
This client information sheet is based on material written by Ernest Ward, DVM.