Canine Spay (Ovariohysterectomy)

Benefits:

• Eliminates heat periods (estrus)
• Renders dog sterile
• The uterine infections common in older dogs rarely occur.
• The cancerous mammary gland tumors which older, un-spayed females are prone to, rarely occur in dogs spayed before their first heat cycle.
  

Cost of procedure includes:

• Pre-anesthetic exam
• Gas inhalant anesthesia (isoflorane- used in human hospitals)
• IV catheter and IV fluids
• Postoperative pain management
• All hospitalization (overnight)
• Surgery
• Constant electronic monitoring of heart rate and blood oxygenation
• ECG monitor during surgery
• Anesthetic Tech present during throughout procedure
• Technician monitored recovery period
• (12-day post-op surgery recheck and suture removal)
  

FAQ

• Will it make my dog fat and lazy? No. Obesity is due to excessive calorie intake. Weight can be controlled through proper feeding and exercise.
• Will it change her personality, disposition or intelligence? No. Dogs' personalities don't fully develop until 12-24 months of age. If there is a personality change in a young spayed dog, it would have happened without surgery too.
• Should my dog have a litter first? No. There is no medical or psychological benefit in allowing her to have a litter of puppies, and her risk of mammary cancer later in life is much greater if she does. Furthermore pregnancy and nursing are very hard on her body.
• My dog is already several years old (or older). Does she still need to be spayed? Yes. Benefits include prevention of uterine infections (pyometra) and prevention of the hormonal cycles that can trigger mammary tumor growth.