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Category: Canine
Ovariohysterectomy
Spaying, neutering, "fixing"
AffectedAnimals:
This surgery is typically performed when the dog is approximately six months old, but can be done before or after this time. Older dogs usually require more extensive preoperative testing to assess the risk of anesthesia complications.
Overview:
Ovariohysterectomy is the surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus. Known more commonly as a spay procedure, the surgery is performed on female dogs. The indications for the procedure include preventing unwanted litters of puppies and the nuisance of repeated heat cycles; decreasing the probability of mammary or breast cancer; and in treating many reproductive tract disorders, including most commonly pyometra infection within the uterus, and uterine neoplasia. Spaying a dog before her first heat cycle decreases the chances of mammary cancer by greater than 90 percent. The surgery is more difficult when the dog is in heat or pregnant, as both of these conditions result in increased uterine size and blood supply. Your doctor should use a surgical laser to ensure that there is no pain associated with the procedure.
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