Yonge Sheppard Animal Hospital
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Canine Ovariohysterectomy (Spay) Surgery
Making the decision to spay your female dog is one of the most important choices you’ll make for her long-term health. This comprehensive guide from Yonge Sheppard Animal Hospital explains the significant benefits of spaying, from preventing life-threatening conditions like pyometra to reducing cancer risks. We’ll walk you through our careful surgical process designed to keep your dog safe and comfortable every step of the way.
Topics Covered
A canine ovariohysterectomy is commonly referred to as a spay surgery. This is a day procedure done under anesthesia where the uterus and ovaries are removed, and is one of the most significant aspects of female dog care than an owner can provide. Spaying is typically recommended between 6 – 12 months of age, prior to the first heat cycle.
Benefits
Mammary Cancer Prevention:
A female dog spayed before her first heat cycle will have a near-zero chance of developing mammary cancer. After the first heat, the incidence of tumor development climbs to 7% and after the second heat the risk is 25% (one in four!). Spaying removes the uterus and ovaries which produce tumor-stimulating estrogens.
Pyometra Prevention:
A pyometra is an infection of the uterus which will be fatal without expensive treatment. Pyometra is an extremely common disease of unspayed dogs – one in four unspayed female dogs over the age of 10 will get it. Spaying your dog will prevent pyometra.
Prevents Unwanted Behaviours:
When an animal is intact, unwanted behaviours often arise as they reach maturity such as: aggression, urine marking, sexual behaviour and wandering.
Limits Over-population:
Over-population amongst pets is an ongoing societal problem. Spaying your dog will not allow her to have puppies, which in turn will be a solution to help shelter pets find their forever homes.
Risks
Requirements
• A nose to tail physical examination completed at YSAH within the past 12 months.
• Up to date rabies vaccination. If not completed at YSAH, proof of vaccination must be provided.
• Completed bloodwork (within the past 3 months).
Treatment Plan
Surgical Safety Bloodwork:
Surgical bloodwork is a requirement of surgery and is used to evaluate the patient’s kidney and liver function as well as hydration status. We perform blood work along with a physcial exam to ensure anesthesia is as safe as possible. Bloodwork appointments are done with an RVT at least 2-3 weeks in advance of the surgical date. During this appointment, the pet’s blood is taken and they are re-assessed for any hernias, retained deciduous teeth, and problematic dew claws. Once we’ve received the results, a team member will be in touch to let you know if it is safe for your pet to proceed with surgery.
Fasting Instructions:
You will need to fast your pet for 12 hours prior to the surgical procedure. This means nothing to eat after 9pm (including treats) and no breakfast or treats the morning of the procedure. Your pet can have access to water until 6am the morning of the procedure. Fasting is a necessary safety precaution to prevent harmful regurgitation during anesthesia.
Surgical Intake:
Our client care team will schedule a 15-minute surgical intake appointment with the surgical RVT on the morning of the procedure between 8:30-9am. Please bring your fasted pet to Yonge Sheppard Animal Hospital at your schedueled appoinment time. During this appointment, the RVT will provide a surgical consent form to be signed, review the care plan and address any concerns.
Day of Procedure:
Before any surgical procedure, your pet’s safety is our top priority. It all begins with a thorough pre-surgical examination, where our veterinarian listens to your pet’s heart and lungs and records their vital signs to ensure they are ready for anesthesia. Once cleared, your pet receives a sedative to help them relax and stay pain-free. We then place an intravenous (IV) catheter to safely administer medications and provide instant access in the rare case of an emergency. The anesthesia begins, and your pet will be comfortably asleep under the close, one-on-one monitoring of a Registered Veterinary Technician throughout the entire surgery. To support their recovery, we administer fluids to maintain hydration and provide additional pain medication as they wake up. The procedure complete, we’ll call you with an update on how everything went and schedule a time for you to pick up your pet, who is typically ready to head home by the late afternoon.
Follow up After the Procedure:
One of our team members will be in contact with you within a few days after your pet’s surgery to see how things are going at home. A complimentary recheck appointment is also provided 10-14 days after the procedure to ensure the surgical site has healed well.
Other things to Consider
Microchipping:
This is an additional service that may be provided the day of the procedure. A microchip is a small implant that is inserted underneath the skin between the shoulder blades. A microchip is a permanent form of identification which is the best way a lost pet may be traced back to the registered owner. A microchip is often also a requirement of international travel.
Post Operative Laser Therapy:
Laser therapy is a procedure by which a trained RVT applied a specialized infared laser over the surgical area. Laser therapy improves tissue oxygenation, bringing more oxygen-rich blood into the tissues thereby exposing afflicted cells to vital nutrients. The oxygen and nutrients brought to the incision site improves healing speed, minimizes scarring, and strengthens the surrounding tissue.
Please Note:
The cost of an estimate can change based on the physical exam findings of a patient. Findings that may change cost of an estimate include the presence of loose dewclaws, umbilical hernias, retained deciduous (baby) teeth, or retained testicles due to the increased surgical time and/or treatment required. Yonge Sheppard Animal Hospital will provide you with an up-to-date estimate which will be reviewed prior to and the day of the procedure.
Spaying your female dog is a proactive investment in her health and wellbeing. At Yonge Sheppard Animal Hospital, our experienced team is dedicated to providing the highest standard of care with compassion and expertise. We’re here to answer your questions and ensure your dog has a comfortable, safe surgical experience. Ready to take the next step or have concerns about the procedure? Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
– The Yonge Sheppard Animal Hospital Team 🐾💚