What does spaying my pet mean?
The spay procedure performed in female dogs and cats is called an ovariohysterectomy (ovario = ovary, hyster = uterus, ectomy = removal), or an OHE. Since the anatomy of female dogs and cats are very similar, the following surgery is performed in both species.
When and why should I neuter my dog or cat?
Arboretum View Animal Hospital recommends neutering your dog or cat at 6 months of age. In addition to preventing accidental pregnancies, there are several health and behavioral benefits listed below:
- Decreased urine marking
- Decreased desire to roam
- Decreased signs of aggression especially towards other dogs
- Reduction of prostate disease in dogs
- Reduction in mounting behavior
What are the possible complications of spaying my pet?
An ovariohysterectomy, while routine, is a major abdominal surgery. Complications can include abdominal bleeding, incisional bleeding, infection (incisional or bladder), and adverse reaction to anesthesia.
How does Arboretum View Animal Hospital perform spays?
After the patient is admitted to the hospital a physical exam is performed. Preanesthetic bloodwork is run in hospital if it has not already been done. The patient is then given a preanesthetic injection to help relieve anxiety and provide pain relief. Generally, an intravenous (IV) catheter is placed for administration of drugs and fluids during the procedure. Intravenous fluids are given to help maintain blood pressure, provide hydration, improve postoperative body temperature, and shorten anesthetic recovery time. The most current gas anesthesia (sevoflurane) is used with state of the art anesthesia and patient monitoring equipment. A breathing tube (endotracheal tube) is placed in the airway to deliver the gas anesthesia and oxygen as well as to provide assisted breathing if necessary. Once the patient is anesthetized the abdomen is then shaved [photo] and the patient is moved into the surgery suite where the skin near the surgery site is cleaned with surgical scrub. The surgeon completes a scrub of his/her hands and arms, and puts on sterile gown and gloves. The patient is draped with sterile drapes, and all surgical instruments are kept on a sterile table. The incision is made along the middle of the abdomen. The ovaries [link to spay image] are located and their blood supply is ligated with absorbable suture material. The uterus is ligated just above the cervix and the uterus and ovaries are removed. There are three layers of sutures (stitches) to hold the incision closed. The closed incision [photo] looks like a thin line with no visible suture or staples. After the surgery is completed the patient is moved to ICU where a technician monitors the patient until it is safe to remove its breathing tube. The patient’s vitals are monitored for several hours by which time the patient is generally recovered from the anesthesia. Surgery patients that have been spayed are typically released the same day so they do not need to stay overnight. Detailed aftercare instructions are given on discharge and a recheck examination is done in 10-14 days to examine incision healing.
What surgical facilities does Arboretum View Animal Hospital have?
Our three-room surgery suite is maintained in an aseptic manner equivalent to human hospitals and meets the highest level of standards set by the American Animal Hospital Association (4-year accreditation). All staff members enter with clean scrubs, shoe covers, hair cover, and surgical mask to keep contamination minimized. Each room is equipped with all the necessary items needed for optimal patient care, including anesthesia machines with optional ventilators, pre-heated surgery tables, complete patient monitoring equipment, and closed cabinets for sterilized equipment and instruments.
What do I need to do the day of surgery?
Please see our page on Admitting and Picking Up Your Pet From Surgery. Our General Surgery and Anesthesia FAQ may also be helpful.
What if my pet is not a dog or a cat?
If you have an exotic animal you may consult with Dr. Gray. He can neuter rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, rats, prairie dogs, and iguanas or other large lizards.
