Top veterinarians, best-selling pet-care authors and other top pet-care experts are all part of the Pet Connection team. If you would like the newest, freshest weekly syndicated Pet Connection articles from the Universal Press Syndicate for your newspaper, publication or Web site, find out more here.
Spaying procedure
published 01/31/1999
Q: Please explain the procedure of spaying a female dog. Do vets use general anesthesia? How long is the recovery? I have to know what will happen exactly to my dog before the operation. Thanks for your help. — M.S., via the Internet
A: “Spaying” is the everyday term for the surgical sterilization of a female dog or cat. The clinical term is “ovariohysterectomy.”
Spaying must be done by a veterinarian, and it requires general anesthesia. The procedure has traditionally been performed starting at the age of 5 or 6 months. But in recent years, the early spaying or neutering of puppies and kittens as young as 8 weeks has been widely approved by veterinary and humane groups.
Spaying involves the removal of the female’s entire reproduction system. The uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries are taken out through an incision in the abdomen. Your veterinarian may require you to return to have your dog’s stitches removed in about 10 days’ time, or he may use stitches that are absorbed into the body. Recovery is fast, taking just a few days, during which you should limit your dog’s activities — no jumping or boisterous play.
Although technically not minor surgery, spaying is among the most common veterinary procedures and carries very little risk for your dog. Your veterinarian should discuss your role before and after surgery to ensure that any complications that may develop are dealt with promptly.
All information copyright 2009 by Dr. Marty Becker and Gina Spadafori.
This information is provided for the personal use of Pet Connection readers
and may not be reproduced in any way or in any media without expressed,
written permission of Dr. Marty Becker, Gina Spadafori, Honest Dog L.L.C.
and the Universal Press Syndicate.
Contact us
for information on using any material
from this Web site. All advice offered is general, and the Pet Connection is
not responsible for any problems arising from the use or misuse of the
information. Since each animal and each situation is unique, we recommend
that you contact your own veterinarian for help with any health or behavior
problems in your pet.
Terms & Conditions