Spaying of female dogs (bitches) is a commonly performed procedure in small animal practices. When booking in for the surgery you may be asked for information on any previous seasons or litters or any other concerns you have. Some practices offer both laparoscopic (keyhole) and traditional (open). And these will be offered to you if appropriate for your dog. So what should you expect when you book her in?
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You will usually be asked to starve your dog for a set period of time prior to the surgery. This is to try to prevent them being sick during the procedure. Water should always be given to your pet. Spaying a dog is a day procedure. This means you will drop your dog off in the morning and collect her later in the evening.
Admitting your dog
Your dog will be admitted by either a veterinary nurse or a veterinary surgeon who will check your contact details. They may ask questions including any medications they are on, whether your pet is imported and if they are up to date with lungworm prevention. The estimated cost for the surgery will be discussed alongside the anaesthetic risks. And then you will be asked to sign and date if you give informed consent for the spay to go ahead.
Preparation
Once your dog is admitted she will receive a health check. This will include checking heart rate, respiratory (breathing) rate, temperature and checking the mammary area. If everything is normal, then an intravenous cannula is placed into the front leg vein to allow direct access to the blood system. The pre-medication is then given which is an injection consisting of a pain relief and a sedative.
Once this has time to work then further medication is given to make your pet go under anaesthetic. A tube is placed in the throat to allow her breathing to be monitored and keep her under anaesthetic. Further medication such as additional pain relief may be given during this stage.
Then further monitoring equipment is attached to check things including blood pressure, carbon dioxide levels (breathed out by your dog), temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation (level of oxygen in the blood).
Surgery
The surgery for a traditional “open” spay involves an incision (cut) into the abdomen to find the ovaries and the uterine body down to the cervix. Once found, the ovaries are tied off and cut away from inside the body. And the same is repeated on the uterine body near the cervix, although variations exist. This is an ovariohysterectomy where both the ovaries and uterus are removed; alternatively, an ovariectomy may be performed where just the ovaries are removed, leaving the uterus in place. The muscle and skin are then stitched back together.
Recovery
Your dog will recover with a nurse. And, when awake enough, will be offered a small amount of food that is easily digestible. She will be in a comfortable, quiet kennel to allow them to keep calm. She will receive multiple checks to ensure that everything is still normal including monitoring heart rate and any signs of pain.
Post operative care
Following surgery, your dog will be given some options to protect the wound. The wound should not get dirty or be licked as this will prevent healing and cause complications. The most common preventative measure is a buster collar. This is a plastic cone that goes around your pet’s neck and stops them being able to access the wound. A medical pet shirt that is designed similarly to a baby grow, but allows your pet to go to the toilet whilst wearing it, is another option.
Following a dog spay pain relief will be given to go home with to give every day until your dog is next seen. Exercise will also be restricted following surgery as any excessive pressure on the wound can prevent healing. Usually, it is advised for the first night that your pet can go outside to the toilet only. And then short lead walks only for the next 10-14 days, depending on how your pet recovers.
Follow up appointments
When you come to collect your pet, the veterinary nurse will discuss how the day has gone and the post operative instructions. They will also book in the follow up checks of which there are normally two, one a couple of days after to check the recovery following the anaesthetic and then another about a week later to hopefully sign your pet off.
As mentioned, the procedure is commonly done in small animal practice, but if you have any concerns then please speak to your vets. They can help answer further questions or even provide advice on timings of when to book in, or what type of dog spay to go for (if both are available).
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