How does a vet spay a female dog

Spaying your female pet is a great way to prevent unwanted litters of kittens or puppies. It can also help deter unwanted behaviors and protect your pet from some serious forms of cancer. Here, our Tracy vets explain more about the spaying process.

What Is Spaying?

An ovariohysterectomy, more commonly known as a spay procedure, is a surgical procedure to remove the female reproductive organs (the two ovaries, the uterine horns, and the body of the uterus.)

Benefits Of Spaying

By having your pet spayed, you are eliminating the risk of unwanted litters of kittens or puppies. Spaying is especially important in the case of outdoor female cats, as they can begin getting pregnant early and have the highest pregnancy risk.

Spaying also helps decrease the chance that your pet will suffer from a disease affecting the female reproductive system. The spay procedure removes the possibility of a severe infection of the uterus (pyometra), and there is some evidence that pets who are spayed at a young age have a lower risk of developing breast cancer later in life.

The Spay Procedure 

Before the surgery begins, your vet will run the appropriate diagnostic tests to ensure your pet is healthy enough to safely go under for the operation.  Spay procedures are carried out under general anesthesia.

Following the anesthesia, your pet will have the hair on their abdomen shaved down and the skin thoroughly disinfected. The organs are then removed, either laparoscopically (with surgical lasers) or with a traditional scalpel. Both methods are safe.

After the procedure is complete your pet's skin will be closed with skin glue, sutures (stitches), or surgical staples. Stitches or staples will need to be removed by your veterinarian 10 to 14 days following the procedure.

How Long Does Spaying Take?

The procedure typically can last from 20 to 90 minutes to perform, depending on your pet's size and any special medical considerations. In older pets or large-breed dogs, the procedure can take longer and may require two surgeons to perform.

Although the actual procedure is relatively quick, you can typically expect your pet to spend a few hours at the hospital, allowing time for check-in, an initial physical assessment, the surgery itself, and time for recovery from anesthesia.

Recovery After Spaying Surgery

Most pets will start to feel better in 24 - 48 hours, but full recovery takes between 10 to 14 days. During this period you should aim to keep your pet calm and refrain from allowing them to jump, as this could cause the incision to reopen. The incision should be checked daily for signs of infection. If you notice redness, discharge, swelling, or a foul odor, contact your veterinarian.

You should also monitor your pet's behavior. If after 48 hours they still seem lethargic or are not eating or drinking it could be a sign of infection. Follow up with your veterinarian or bring them to an emergency veterinarian for care.

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.

While surgery may seem scary, spaying is a procedure that comes with plenty of benefits. If this is your first time scheduling a spay appointment for a dog, take a look at the answers to some of the most common questions that pet parents have.

What Is a Spay Procedure?

Simply stated, spaying is surgical sterilization for female animals. The veterinarian will remove the reproductive organs (including the uterus, and ovaries). This makes it impossible for your dog to get pregnant.

Does Spaying Require Anesthesia?

The spay procedure may sound a bit like the human version of a full hysterectomy — and it is similar. A human female wouldn’t undergo this type of invasive procedure fully awake. Likewise, a female dog shouldn’t have her reproductive organs removed without the benefit of anesthesia.

While anesthesia comes with potential risks, it also allows your pet to sleep comfortably while the veterinarian performs the procedure. If you have questions about anesthesia and your dog’s specific medical needs, discuss your concerns with the vet during the pre-surgical consultation. This gives you time — before the procedure day — to get answers and calm concerns.

Why Spay a Dog?

Pregnancy prevention is a primary reason for spaying a pet. According to the ASPCA, 3.3 million dogs enter animal shelters in the United States annually. Adding to the nationwide pet population isn’t always advisable, especially if you can’t care for (or find someone to care for) the puppies yourself.

Along with pregnancy prevention, spaying has health benefits for dogs. Spaying can prevent a pyometra, a potentially life-threatening infection of the uterus. Without a uterus, your pup won’t develop this problem.

The health benefits of spaying female dogs also include reducing the risk of developing mammary tumors. The risk drops to 0.5 percent if you spay your dog before her first heat, according to the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS). Spaying your dog after her first heat but before her second reduces the risk to 8 percent. Waiting until after the second heat still reduces the likelihood of developing a mammary tumor, but only to 26 percent.

Why Decide to Not Spay a Dog?

If you plan to breed your canine, spaying isn’t an option. Again, this surgical procedure is a full hysterectomy — leaving your dog without her reproductive organs. Without a uterus or ovaries, your dog can’t get pregnant or have puppies.

How Long Will the Dog Stay at the Animal Hospital?

A routine spay is an outpatient pet procedure that won’t require an animal hospital stay. The exact time the entire spay appointment takes depends on several factors. Even though the procedure itself won’t take long, your pet will need extra time before and after her surgery. This includes post-procedure recovery time for your pup to wake up.

What Happens After Surgery?

After your dog has recovered from anesthesia, you’ll get to take her home. Make sure to follow the vet’s instructions exactly. These typically include how, when, and what to feed your dog, as well as instructions for activity, rechecks, and medications. Failure to follow the vet’s directions may extend the recovery time or result in injury or infection.

The vet may also give you pain medication for your dog. Again, follow the instructions precisely. Never give human pain medication to a dog without consulting with your veterinarian. Your dog’s body can’t process human medication correctly, making these drugs potentially toxic.

Your dog will also get an E-collar (aka cone) to prevent licking. Licking or chewing the surgery site can result in an infection or slow down the healing process.

Do you need to schedule a spay procedure for your dog? Contact 1st Pet Veterinary Centers for more information.

1st Pet Veterinary Centers is the one to call, 24/7, for all of your pet healthcare needs. Our experienced, compassionate team, large variety of available services, and state-of-the-art animal hospitals are all designed to give you the peace of mind that your pet is receiving the best care possible.

How painful is spaying a dog?

How long does it take for a dog to recover from being spayed?

Do female dogs change after being spayed?

What age should a female dog be spayed?