Yonge Sheppard Animal Hospital
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Feline Ovariohysterectomy (Spay) Surgery
Considering spaying your female cat? This comprehensive guide walks you through everything from health benefits and safety protocols to what happens on surgery day at Yonge Sheppard Animal Hospital. Learn how this common procedure not only prevents unwanted behaviors but also contributes to your cat’s long-term wellbeing.
Topics Covered
A feline ovariohysterectomy is commenly 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 cat care that an owner can provide. Spaying is typically recommended between 6 – 12 months of age, prior to the first heat cycle.
Benefits
Mammary Cancer Prevention:
Pyometra is an infection of the uterus which will be fatal without expensive treatment. All intact (not spayed) female cats are at risk of this life-threatening disease, so spaying your cat is the best way to prevent pyometra.
Pyometra Prevention:
Neutering reduces the risk of certain types of hernias and tumors of the testicles and anus. Neutering also causes a drastic reduction of urine odour.
Prevents Unwanted Behaviours:
When an animal is intact, unwanted behaviours may 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 cat will stop her from ever having kittens, which in turn will be a solution to prevent overcrowding in animal shelters, giving stray pets the best chance of finding their forever homes.
Risks
Spaying is usually a well tolerated surgery and is safe when performed appropriately. However, all surgeries involve some risks. Although rare, such surgical risks can include wound dehiscence, infection, anesthetic reactions, or even death. It is estimated that 1 in 100,000 animals will have an adverse reaction to the anesthesia. Here at Yonge Sheppard Animal Hospital we take necessary precautions to minimize 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.
Alternative to the “Cone of Shame”:
Medical pet shirts are a professional alternative to the traditional Elizabethian collar which protects wounds. It is designed with breathable, stretchy fabric to provide a snug fit based on the animal’s body shape to give complete freedom of movement. It also offers a rear closure, whcih makes your pet look like they’re wearing a cute onesie.
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.
Thinking about booking a spay surgery for your cat? Our team at Yonge Sheppard Animal Hospital is here to guide you through every step, from pre-surgery testing to post-op care. Contact us today to schedule your cat’s procedure and give her the healthiest start to life.
– The Yonge Sheppard Animal Hospital Team 🐾💚