We highly recommend spaying your dogs and cats. The ideal age for spaying is 4-6 months old. The younger your pet is spayed, the more benefits are realized.

The chances of tumors, mammary tumors in particular, increases with the number of times your female pet comes into heat.

As long as your pet is healthy enough for surgery, there is generally no upper age limit for him to be spayed and, in fact, older pets can benefit from the surgery.

Advantages of spaying

• The female pet with her ovaries and uterus removed, doesn't come into "heat" or estrus. In addition, the animal's tendency to roam is decreased, therefore, less chances of auto accidents and less contact with other animals. Most pets become less aggressive toward people and other animals

• It eliminates the possibility of false pregnancy following the "heat cycle"

• Uterine infection, known as pyometra, is prevented

• The prevention of breast cancer. Dogs spayed before the first "heat" have less than 0.5% chance of developing breast cancer as compared to 8% of experiencing mammary tumors after the second "heat".

• Elimination of the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer

Other Indications for Spaying

Removal of the ovaries and uterus may be performed for several medical conditions. These include:

• Treatment of intractable false or phantom pregnancy, also called pseudocyesis

• Females with ovarian cysts have irregular or abnormal cycles. Spaying is recommended in these pets.

• Spaying is also done on occasions to correct certain behavioral abnormalities

• Treatment of uterine infection (pyometra) or cancer

• Dystocia (difficult birthing) or post caesarean-section surgery

Myths About Spaying

• My pet will become fat, lazy, and useless as a guardian. MYTH

  • Obesity is probably the most commonly quoted disadvantage of neutering. Overfeeding and not exercising enough are the major causes why pets are overweight. By controlling your pet's diet and caloric intake, you can prevent obesity in neutered or intact males.

• My pet's personality will change. MYTH

  • Neutering doesn't cause a change in personality, guarding instincts, intelligence, playfulness and affection.

  • If at all, since your pet will not have urges looking for a mate, then he or she becomes more bonded with you. I am told that letting my dog have one litter will quieten her down. There is no scientific evidence that having puppies has any calming psychological effect. This is quite honestly more myth than fact.

• I am told that letting my dog have one litter will quieten her down. More MYTH than FACT

  • There is no scientific evidence that having puppies has any calming psychological effect.

Are there any dangers associated with the operation?

Spaying is considered a major operation and requires general anesthesia. Surgeries and general anesthesia come with risks to the pet. It is highly recommended that a pre-surgical blood test be done to screen for any disorders and illnesses that your pet may not be showing signs of. This, together with modern anesthetics and monitoring equipment, makes the risk of a complication generally very low.

What happens when my dog undergoes this procedure?

A physical examination will be done by the veterinarian and pre-anesthetic blood tests will usually be performed. If everything is acceptable, your pet will then be anesthetized and surgery proceeds. In cases where results of the screening test are unacceptably beyond normal limits, additional tests maybe required or your pet's condition is resolved before going through with any surgery.

Most pets will have an intravenous catheter placed to administer the anesthetic and to provide fluid therapy during the surgery. After your pet is anesthetized, a breathing tube will be placed in his trachea. This will deliver oxygen and the gas anesthetic, isoflurane, directly into the lungs. 

A spay surgery (also called an ovariohysterectomy) is performed on females. While performed routinely, an ovariohysterectomy is a major surgery in which the reproductive tract - including the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus - is removed. Many veterinarians use absorbable internal sutures so that you do not have to return your dog to the hospital to have them removed.

Are there any post-operative precautions I should take?

Rest and restriction of activity are the primary post-operative care you should provide. Most dogs can resume normal activity five to ten days after surgery. Until then, leash walks, no running or climbing stairs and lots of rest are the rule.