Once dogs reach maturity, they come into season approximately twice a year. Many bitches are spayed after their first season. Small breeds tend to have their first season earlier than large breeds who take longer to go through puberty. Discuss the ideal timing with your veterinarian, but it is safest to spay most dogs at roughly the midpoint between two seasons. Early neutering (before their first season) has been linked to tumors and joint disease in some breeds of dog. Always speak to your veterinarian for the latest advice.
Why should I choose a keyhole surgery over a routine spay?
Laparoscopic ovariectomy has been performed routinely in dogs for around 30 years. Although initially it was only performed in specialist clinics, it is more often becoming available in general veterinary practices. The surgical incisions are smaller than a conventional spay, so there is less tissue damage. This reduces post-operative pain and your dog is likely to recover more quickly. Follow your veterinarian's instructions, but many dogs can return to normal exercise after 5 days of rest, compared to 10-14 days following a traditional spay procedure. You will still need to keep the incision sites clean and prevent your dog from licking at them.
How do I prepare my dog before surgery?
Food will need to be withheld for a period of time prior to the surgery, to reduce the risk of vomiting under anesthesia. However, your dog should have access to water until the morning of surgery unless otherwise instructed by your veterinarian. Check with your veterinarian on when to withhold food. Your dog will be admitted on the morning of the procedure. A health check will be performed at the time and the veterinarian may ask a few questions about your dog’s health. Your dog will then be admitted for the day with the aim to send them home in the afternoon.
What happens during the procedure?
Fur will be clipped where the intravenous catheter needs to be placed in your dog’s leg and at the surgical site under her abdomen.
For the procedure two or three small incisions (about 1 cm in length) are made down the middle of your dog's abdomen (tummy). A small camera is inserted through one of the holes so the veterinarian can see what is happening inside the abdomen. Surgical instruments are inserted through another hole and the ovaries will be identified and removed. The incisions are all closed on the inside with dissolving sutures which means these do not need to be removed later.
Your dog will recover in one of the wards until your veterinarian feels they are well enough to go home.
What can go wrong during surgery?
One of the most severe potential complications during surgery is the risk of bleeding. There is a big blood vessel that goes to each ovary. Each blood vessel must be tied off during surgery, before the ovary can be removed. If bleeding occurs it can usually be controlled successfully but on rare occasions a larger abdominal incision needs to be made. This allows the veterinarian better access to find and tie off the bleeding vessel.
How do I look after my dog after surgery?
For the rest of the day after surgery your dog should be kept inside and only allowed out for short walks on the lead to go to the toilet. Make sure they have a warm and comfortable bed to sleep on and let them rest as much as they want. Offer them a small amount of food that evening if they are hungry. In many cases, dogs can return to normal exercise 5 days after surgery but always follow your veterinarian’s advice on this. Swimming should be avoided for two weeks after surgery until the wounds have healed completely.
The wounds may be covered with a dressing. These can be removed 24-48 hours after surgery unless they have fallen off before. Check the wounds twice a day for signs of redness, discharge, swelling or wound breakdown. If you notice any change to the wound contact your veterinary practice immediately for advice. Make sure you give your dog any medication prescribed by your veterinarian.
Keyhole surgery is now a realistic option for many dogs so make sure you discuss all options with your veterinarian before making a decision.
