Client Fact Sheet # 54
BITCH SPAY
Spaying or Ovariohysterectomy is the term for removing the female sex glands, both the ovaries and the
uterus. Spaying is normally done when the dog is 5-6 months old, and involves giving a general anaesthetic.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES?
• No more troublesome ‘heat periods’
• No unwanted puppies
• Spaying reduces the chance of mammary cancer (breast cancer)
• Eliminates the possibility of having uterine infections/cancer
THE SURGERY
Spaying involves the use of a general anaesthetic. By following a few simple guidelines the risk can be
greatly reduced.
FASTING
Do not feed on the morning of the surgery. Because most pets are clever enough to scrounge food from
friendly neighbours, or are great hunters, it is best to keep your pet indoors the night before the surgery.
Do not restrict water intake.
ILLNESS
Recent illness, no matter how minor, should be reported before surgery.
MEDICATION
Please let us know if your pet is having any medication. This may affect what we will give them while they
are in for surgery. If your pet has an on-going medical condition, it is important to let the nurse know when
dropping off your pet. It is also very important that we are aware of any adverse reactions your pets have
had to drugs or anaesthetics in the past.
PRE ANAESTHETIC BLOODS
Pre-anaesthetic blood testing is available. These tests can show how the major organs are functioning and if
there are areas that we need to take into consideration when placing your pet under anaesthetic. If these
tests come back within the normal range, we can be confident that we have minimised the risk as much as we
possibly can.
Please ask the support staff for an information sheet about pre-anaesthetic blood testing if you would like
further information.
ADMISSION
Surgery admission is between 8am and 8.30am. Please bring your dog on a lead, for safety reasons, and to
reduce stress.
If you would like anything else done while your dog is under anaesthetic i.e.: nail trim, brushing, vaccinations,
dental work etc, please let the nurse, who is admitting your dog, know.
Updated Aug 2010
PAIN RELIEF
Animals that are pain free recover from surgery more rapidly than those in pain. Non Steroidal Anti
Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) are used routinely for their pain relieving and anti-inflammatory effect in pets
that have had surgery or are suffering from other painful conditions.
Your pet has been given NSAIDs during their surgery today and has been prescribed a further three days of
NSAID for continuing pain relief.
NSAID’s are well tolerated by most animals, but a small number can develop side effects.
The most commonly seen side effects are loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting and/or diarrhoea or an
increased/decreased water intake
More serious side effects are possible kidney and/or liver degeneration as well as stomach ulcers.
By always giving the medication with food you decrease the chances of possible side effects.
If any of these symptoms occur please stop the medication and contact us straight away.
DISCHARGE
Surgery Discharge is between 2.30pm and 6pm that same afternoon. The Surgical Nurse will contact you
later on in the morning to discuss a discharge time with you between these times.
POST OPERATIVE CARE
It is best to keep her inside overnight as this allows her to fully recover from the surgery before venturing
out again. Your dog will probably be quite thirsty, so give her plenty to drink. By encouraging her to drink
the remainder of the anaesthetic will be excreted more rapidly. You can offer her something to eat but do
not be surprised if she is not interested.
Within 24 hours the effects from the anaesthetic should have worn off. There are stitches involved in a
bitch spay which need to be removed in 10-12 days time. Keep an eye on the wound and if any swelling,
redness or bleeding occurs please contact us.
LONG TERM FEEDING
When a dog is spayed all of the hormones, which they would normally make, stop being produced. This can
cause their metabolism to slow down and thus make them prone to putting on weight. To stop this weight
gain, decrease her food intake by one third and monitor her condition. All dogs should have a waist and you
should be able to feel their ribs when you lightly run your hands along their chest. If you would like some
further advice in weight control and monitoring, please talk to one of our experienced support staff.
CONSENT FORM
On your pet’s admission, you will be asked to read and sign an anaesthetic consent form similar to the one
below. Please read this information before admission, so you can become familiar with the actual Anaesthetic
Consent Form that will be given to you on admission. You will also be requested to provide a contact name and
number for the day of surgery.
If you have any questions please contact us on 818 5697.
Updated Aug 2010
ANAESTHETIC CONSENT FORM
I hereby give my consent for the administration of an anaesthetic and the following treatment by a veterinarian at
Auckland Veterinary Services Ltd.
The procedure has been explained to me, the reason why it is necessary, and the possible risk of death and complications
were explained to my satisfaction.
I understand that if a life-threatening situation occurs, Auckland Veterinary Services Ltd will perform emergency
procedures, possibly without consent, which are necessary for the well being of my pet. I agree that I will be responsible
for paying for these additional costs. Auckland Veterinary Services will endeavour to contact myself or my nominated
contact person if there are any complications. A contact name and number will be provided.
I also acknowledge that I am aware that my pet can be referred to a specialist practice (not desexing or dental
procedures). I have chosen not to explore this option and choose for Auckland Veterinary Services Ltd to carry out my
pet’s treatment
Please check additional services you would like performed while the patient is under anaesthetic. You can request an
estimate from the nurse for these additional services.
•
•
•
Vaccination
Microchip
Apply flea treatment
This animal last had access to food before 10pm last night or _________
Anaesthesia and Surgery
Although there are some risks involved, anaesthesia is usually very safe.
The risk of a healthy young animal dying unexpectedly due to an anaesthetic complication may be compared with the
risk of a person dying due to a car crash.
The risk the Patient will face depends on their general health.
We do a lot of things to prevent serious complications from occurring. A veterinarian or veterinary nurse stays with the
Patient while they are under anaesthetic, keeping a check on them.
To help them with this important job a number of monitors (equipment to check on the patient) may be placed on their
body during the anaesthetic. Veterinarians and veterinary nurses are trained to deal with potential problems that could
arise.
Complications during or after the operations can occur, but are rare. For a young healthy animal having a routine
operation, the likelihood of developing serious surgical complications during the operation is minimal.
Pain after surgery is the most common side effect experienced. Pain relief is routinely administered and prescribed to
control post-operative discomfort. As most pain relief have side effects, some pain relief may not be suitable for some
patients.
Complications with the surgical wound healing can be expected in up to 5% of all patients. Routine sterile procedures
such as desexing have a lower risk.
You will be given advice on how to care for the Patient after surgery in order to minimize the risk of complications.
Please ask the veterinarian or the veterinary nurse if you would like to know more about the Patient surgery, anaesthesia
or the risks involved
Updated Aug 2010