What are the health benefits to dog?

• Breast cancer - a female dog spayed before her first heat will have almost a zero chance of getting breast cancer. After her first heat the chance is 7%, and after her third heat the chance is 25%! Breast or mammary cancer can be a fatal disease
• Pyometra - a spayed female doesn't have any chance to get pyometra, which is a life threatening condition which generally occurs in middle-aged to older female dogs 4-6 weeks after heat. A uterus with pyometra severely engorges and is filled with pus, bacteria, dying tissue, and toxins. Without prompt treatment, the pet will die. The only way to save her life would be an emergency spay to remove the infected uterus.
• Convenience - an adult female dog comes into heat every 6-8 months. It's hard to keep male dogs away, and bloody vaginal discharge is unpleasant in your living room.

What behavioral changes can be expected after spay?

There shouldn't be any drastic changes in behavior since the female reproductive tract is dormant for most of the year.

What exactly is done surgically?

An incision is made on the midline of the abdomen, and the ligaments and blood vessels which hold the uterus and ovaries in place are tied off with dissolvable sutures and cut. The abdomen is checked for bleeding and sutures are placed to close the abdominal wall. Another layer of sutures is placed to close the skin. We use buried dissolvable suture material.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT UPON DISCHARGE FROM THE HOSPITAL?

The incision is often slightly red and swollen in the first few days after surgery. It has to be monitored for signs of infection and pain. I usually send all my female patients home with painkillers after the procedure to keep them comfortable. It is best to restrict the dog from boisterous activity, and going up and down stairs. Some owners report that their pets seem to have troubles urinating and/or defecating right after the surgery which is explained by the skin tension of the abdomen.

AT WHAT AGE CAN SPAY BE PERFORMED?

The traditional age for spaying is around 6 months of age, but can be done as early as 8 weeks. To obtain the maximum health benefits it's best to spay before first heat.

Activity level and appetite do not change with spaying. A female dog should not gain weight or become less interested in activity post spay.