The Main Event

Yesterday was Ella Bean’s spay surgery, the inspiration of the From Start to Ovariohysterectomy series of posts. In addition to her spay, my little Bean had over 10 baby teeth removed - they lost count because some were so tiny!

She did an excellent job under anesthesia and the vet was able to remove all the deciduous teeth, one of our major concerns.

We absolutely love our vet and his staff. They took such good care of our little girl and she is eating, drinking and going to the bathroom normally. As I am a regular on a lot of dog threads, there are a number of common issues to the spay and neuter surgery that puppy moms & pops seem to be concerned about, so here goes!

The Cost of Surgery

Plenty of rescued pups are spayed and neutered without any issues, through the shelter which they were adopted. Many spay/ neuter events cultivate an impression that the sterilization procedure can be done in an “assembly line” manner. Proponents of spay and neuter clinics and low cost sterilization aren’t wrong - spayed/neutered dogs make better pets and do not contribute to the millions of homeless puppies already looking for their forever home.

It is important to know that the spay procedure is a major surgery and your pet will need post-operative care and attention. Remember, this surgery is a one time cost and a lifetime investment in better health. The cost of the procedure varies from clinic to clinic, depends on the gender, size, breed, age and health of your pet. Discuss the fees in advance so you can be prepared and involved in any decisions that affect cost and safety.

For any female that is older and has gone through multiple heats or been bred, it can be time consuming and complex. Additionally, if you have a toy dog, or in my case - the smallest pup I have ever met - imagine the procedure from a vet’s perspective. At under three pounds, the surgery borders on a microscopic adventure!

The Spay

Let’s get to the nitty gritty. What happens when your girl is spayed? Well, it varies depending on your vet and their protocol, but the gist is that your pup is going to go under anesthesia. After she is under, her belly will be cleaned and the vet will scrub up. The team working with the vet will place the pup on her back, either on an operating table or in a sterile tray that is placed on the table. A tray keeps the dog from sliding around.

Gas anesthesia such as Isoflurane is usually used during the surgery. The benefit of gas anesthesia is that it can easily be increased or decreased, depending the dog’s needs. Often, vets use a heart monitor during surgery to monitor her.

The first part of the surgery is when the vet clamps the skin to stretch it and begins an incision using a scalpel. Careful incision minimize muscle damage. The uterus is a Y shaped organ that has two horns and a body. The vet removes the whole uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes and dissolvable sutures are used for the incision. After checking for abnormalities or bleeding and the incision is stitched up.

For a puppy who has never been in heat, the spay takes about 25 minutes.

Questions, Questions, Questions

As a concerned parent, you will likely have questions before the procedure. These are some common ones. Make sure you feel that your vet answered all your questions and you feel comfortable!

• Are the surgical instruments sterilized between each procedure?

The answer should be yes! Its more expensive and takes more time, but its much safer.

• Do you use a heart monitor during surgery?

Again, its a safety precaution that adds some $$ to the procedure. Wouldn’t you want your pup to be monitored?

• Is the incision closed with layers of stitches?

Again, this is more time consuming and costs more, but it’s safer.

• Does the clinic use reversible gas anesthesia?

The cost is higher but the risks of anesthesia are lessened this way.

• Will she be normal when I get her home?

Well, activity should be restricted for the week after surgery so as not to rupture the incision. Schedule your post-operative follow up appointment as you are leaving surgery so you can make sure she is reevaluated.

• Will she be in pain?

The surgery is preformed under anesthesia so she wont feel a thing during the operation. Usually, the vet will send her home on painkillers. It is up to you and your vet whether to continue to administer pain medication. Its important to note that dogs heal much quicker then we do. Some discomfort helps with the healing process, so she knows her limits and doesn’t try to play like normal and risk opening the incision.

Good luck and happy spaying!

Ella Bean is on her way to making a full recovery, she is already giving kisses and her antennae ears are whirling about. She is a little shaky and we are monitoring her closely to make sure she doesn’t try to hop on or off any furniture. (A BIG no-no after surgery.) We peeked inside her mouth and although its pretty red and her gums are a bit swollen, she now has the movie star smile she deserves!

For more information on spaying and neutering,  check out the rest of the From Start to Ovariohysterectomy series. Part I focuses on why dog sterilization is important and the myths that surround the procedure.  Part II is about the mandatory sterilization laws that are being passed around the US and the risks of sterilization.

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