Canine Spay FAQ

Surgical sterilization of the female dog, commonly referred to as spaying, is one of the most significant aspects of female dog care an owner can provide. The benefits to the dog FAR outweigh simply not having puppies, though as pet over-populations looms as a societal problem it is important to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem.

Spaying involves removal of the uterus and ovaries. It is a major surgery but a commonly performed one, ideally performed while a female dog is still in puppyhood, prior to her first heat cycle.

WHY ALL FEMALE DOGS SHOULD BE SPAYED

A female dog spayed before her first heat will have a near zero chance of developing mammary cancer.

After the first heat, this incidence climbs to 7% and after the second heat the risk is 25% (one in four!). It is easy to see that an early spay can completely prevent what is frequently a very difficult and potentially fatal form of cancer.

But is it too late if a dog is already past her second heat? No, in fact spaying is important even in female dogs who already have obvious tumors. This is because many mammary tumors are stimulated by estrogens; removing the ovaries, the source of estrogens, will help retard tumor spread.

Spaying removes both the uterus and both ovaries and is crucial in the prevention as well as the treatment of mammary cancer.

Pyometra Prevention

Pyometra is the life-threatening infection of the uterus that generally occurs in middle-aged to older female dogs in the six weeks following heat. The hormone progesterone, which primes the uterus for potential pregnancy, does so by causing proliferation of the blood-filled uterine lining and suppressing uterine immune function. It is thus easy during heat for bacteria in the vagina to ascend to the uterus and cause infection. The uterus with pyometra swells dramatically and is filled with pus, bacteria, dying tissue, and toxins. Without treatment, the dog is expected to die. Despite her serious medical state, she must be spayed quickly if her life is to be saved.

• This is an extremely common disease of unspayed female dogs.
• Without treatment the dog will die.
• Treatment is expensive.
• Treatment involves surgery in a potentially unstable patient.
• Spaying prevents the whole thing.

The older unspayed female dog has an irregular heat cycle. There is no end of cycling comparable to human menopause. If you still decide against spaying, be familiar with the signs of pyometra LINK, which include loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, excessive thirst, marked vaginal discharge.

Simple Convenience
The female dog comes into heat every 8 months or so. There is a bloody vaginal discharge and local male dogs are attracted. Often there is an offensive odor. All of this Disappears With Spaying.

It’s Not Just a Good Idea; in Los Angeles it’s the Law

In April 2008, spaying of female dogs became mandatory in the city of Los Angeles. It is already mandatory for Culver City, Marina del Rey, and unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. Exceptions include law enforcement dogs, dogs currently in competition training, service dogs and dogs with a medical exemption. Fines begin at $100. The City came to this resolution largely because of the huge expenses associated with its overcrowded shelter system and its euthanasia rate of approximately 4000 unwanted dogs and cats PER MONTH. This problem comes down to one of population control; education has been inadequate to solve the problem as has simply charging $100 vs $10 to license unsterilized dogs. Spaying provides irreplaceable health benefits to the pet, convenience to the pet owner, benefit to the community, and it is now legally required.

Now That we Know Why it is a Good Idea to Spay, What Exactly Happens?

It is important that the patient has not been fed in at least 8 hours. Anesthetic medications commonly induce nausea and vomiting can be dangerous in a sedated patient (vomit can be inhaled/aspirated leading to pneumonia).

A preoperative evaluation is performed; blood work is recommended for older females and may be recommended as a normal preanesthetic consideration. An intravenous catheter may be placed to facilitate the administration of anesthetic drugs, for any fluid administration, and for use in case of emergency. This necessitates shaving a small patch of skin on one of the legs.

A tranquilizer or other pre-anesthetic medication may be administered to ease the induction of anesthesia.

A medication is given intravenously to induce sleep. This medication is called an induction agent and lasts only long enough to establish the maintenance of anesthesia by the inhalant anesthetic (gas). Once the dog is asleep, a tube is placed in her throat to ensure that a clear airway is maintained through out the procedure.

Sometimes a cough is noted for a couple of days after surgery. This may have been caused by the tube in the throat. Such coughs only last a couple of days; anything that persists longer should be re-evaluated.

The tube is hooked up to a machine that delivers a specific concentration of inhalant gas mixed in 100% oxygen. An anesthesia technician is assigned to the monitoring of this pet so that the concentration of inhalant gas can be changed, color, heart rate, respiration and other parameters are followed.

In the surgical prep area, the abdomen is shaved and scrubbed. The bladder is emptied and the patient is moved to a surgical suite, where she is draped with surgical cloths or papers to isolate the area where surgery will take place.

An incision is made on the midline of the abdomen, and the three points where the ovaries and uterus attaches are tied off and cut. The abdomen is checked for bleeding and two or three layers of stitches are placed to close the incision.

It is helpful to know that should the skin stitches come out, there are two layers below holding everything closed. Sometimes skin stitches are not placed but if they are, you will need to return in 10 to 14 days to have them removed.

The anesthesia technician continues monitoring until the dog wakes up and coughs out the throat tube.

The patient is kept in an observation room until she is able to walk.

My hospital feels strongly that a night in the hospital is important to an uneventful recovery. This night in the hospital is analogous to strict bed rest, just what you would expect to be needed after a major abdominal surgery. This night also allows for proper administration of pain medication for a longer time period as well as a post-operative check up with the doctor the morning after surgery.

What to Expect at Home

Most spay patients go home the next day as if nothing had happened, although some will need pain medication for a few days.

Some nausea may occur in the first couple of days after surgery and it would not be unusual for the dog to refuse food for a day or two after surgery.

As noted above, a cough may persist for a couple of days as a result of the throat tube. This should not persist longer than a couple of days.

Dogs who show a propensity to lick their stitches will need an Elizabethan or “E” collar to restrict access to the stitches. This is not very comfortable for the dog but it must be used strictly until the stitches are out and the incision is healed.

Activity should be restricted during the week following surgery. Excessive activity can lead to swelling or fluid accumulation under the incision. If a fluid pocket does form, it should resolve on its own after a few weeks. If a fluid pocket forms and drains liquid from the incision, the dog should be re-checked with the veterinarian.

What about Behavioral Changes?

The female dog’s reproductive tract is dormant for most of the year. It only activates for the three-week period of heat. This means that from a behavioral stand point, the female dog acts spayed most of the time. This said, there has been a documented slowing of metabolism after spays and it may be necessarily to use a reduced calorie food in an adult dog. Check with your veterinarian about nutritional recommendations.

By Wendy C. Brooks, DVM, DipABVP
Educational Director, VeterinaryPartner.com
Date Reviewed/Revised: 06/09/2008
Copyright 2008 – 2009 by the Veterinary Information Network, Inc. All rights reserved.

What are the Health Benefits to the Dog?

There are several health benefits to neutering. One of the most important concerns the prostate gland, which under the influence of testosterone will gradually enlarge over the course of the dog’s life. In age, it is likely to become uncomfortable, possibly being large enough to interfere with defecation. The prostate under the influence of testosterone is also predisposed to infection, which is almost impossible to clear up without neutering. Neutering causes the prostate to shrink into insignificance, thus preventing both prostatitis as well as the uncomfortable benign hyperplasia (enlargement) that occurs with aging. It is often erroneously held that neutering prevents prostate cancer but this is not true.

Other health benefits of neutering include the prevention of certain types of hernias and tumors of the testicles and anus. Excessive preputial discharge is also reduced by neutering.

What Behavioral Changes can be Expected after Neutering?

The only behavior changes that are observed after neutering relate to behaviors influenced by male hormones. Playfulness, friendliness, and socialization with humans are not changed. The behaviors that change are far less desirable. The interest in roaming is eliminated in 90% of neutered dogs. Aggressive behavior against other male dogs is eliminated in 60% of neutered dogs. Urine marking is eliminated in 50% of neutered male dogs. Inappropriate mounting is eliminated in 70% of neutered dogs.

What Exactly is done Surgically?

An incision is made, generally just forward from the scrotum. The testicles are removed through this incision. The stalks are tied off and cut. Castration is achieved. If the testicles are not removed, the desirable benefits listed above cannot be realized. The skin incision may or may not have stitches.

What can I Expect upon Discharge from the Hospital?

The scrotum is often swollen in the first few days after surgery, leading some people to wonder if the procedure was really performed. If the dog is immature at the time of neutering, the empty scrotum will flatten out as he grows. If he is mature at the time of neuter, the empty scrotum will remain as a flap of skin. Sometimes the incision is mildly bruised. Most male dogs are eager to play by the day after surgery but, to keep the incision intact, it is best to restrict the dog from boisterous activity.

At what Age can Neutering be Performed?

Neutering can be performed at any age over age 8 weeks provided both testicles have descended. Dogs neutered before puberty (generally age 6 months) tend to grow a bit bigger than dogs neutered after puberty (testosterone is involved in causing bones to stop growing, so without testosterone the bones stop growing later). The same behavior and prostate health benefits can be realized no matter what age the dog is. (In other words, a dog does not become “too old” to obtain the same health and behavioral benefits of neutering.)

The traditional age for neutering is around 6 months of age and many veterinarians still recommend neutering at this age.

Will he Become Over-Weight or Lethargic?

Activity level and appetite do not change with neutering. A male dog should not gain weight or become less interested in activity post neuter.

Will he still be Interested in Females?

His interest will be reduced but if he is around a female dog in heat, he will become aroused by her. Mounting behavior often has roots in the expression of dominance and may be expressed by a neutered male in a variety of circumstances that are not motivated by sexuality.

What if a Dog has an Undescended Testicle?

Undescended testicles have an increased tendency to grow tumors. They may also twist on their stalks and cause life-threatening inflammation. For these reasons, neutering is recommended for dogs with undescended testicles. This procedure is more complicated than a routine neuter; the missing testicle can be under the skin along the path it should have descended to the scrotum, or it may be inside the abdomen. Some exploration may be needed to find it, thus there is often an incision for each testicle. The retained testicle is sterile and under-developed. If there is one descended testicle it will be fertile, but since retaining a testicle is a hereditary trait, it is important that the male dog not be bred before he is neutered.

Is Neutering Legally Required?

In some areas, neutering may be required as municipalities attempt to prevent pet overpopulation. Check with your local city or county officials.

CITY OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNA: Starting April 2008 (grace period until October 1), the City of Los Angeles has adopted mandatory spay/neuter for all dogs and cats. On February 12, 2008, the City Council of Los Angeles gave final approval to a new law that requires all cats and dogs in the city to be spayed or neutered after the age of four months, with some specific exemptions allowed. The Mayor signed the ordinance into law February 26, 2008. Violations are subject to three levels of increasing penalties, starting at $100. After the third violation, non-compliance is a misdemeanor.

Exemptions to the spay/neuter requirement are:

* Is a breed approved and registered with a registry or association approved by the Animal Services Commission, and does or will actively show or compete.
* Has earned or is in the process of earning a special title (i.e., agility, herding).
* Is used as or is in training to be a guide, signal or service dog.
* Is a dog trained or in training, for use in law enforcement, military or rescue activities.
* Has a letter from a licensed veterinarian certifying that the animal should be temporarily or permanently deferred due to age or health.
* Has a valid breeding permit issued to the owner pursuant to existing city ordinance.
* Additionally, all intact dogs must have an intact dog license from the city.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY: In non-incorporated regions of Los Angeles County, neutering, microchipping, and rabies vaccination are legally required for dogs by age 4 months. Read more about this and see if your area is included.

Date Reviewed/Revised: 03/21/2008
Copyright 2008 – 2009 by the Veterinary Information Network, Inc. All rights reserved.

I.

A Shepherd’s Dog there was; and he
Was faithful to his master’s will,
For well he lov’d his company,
Along the plain or up the hill;
All Seasons were, to him, the same
Beneath the Sun’s meridian flame;
Or, when the wintry wind blew shrill and keen,
Still the Old Shepherd’s Dog, was with his Master seen.

II.

His form was shaggy clothed; yet he
Was of a bold and faithful breed;
And kept his master company
In smiling days, and days of need;
When the long Ev’ning slowly clos’d,
When ev’ry living thing repos’d,
When e’en the breeze slept on the woodlands round,
The Shepherd’s watchful Dog, was ever waking found.

III.

All night, upon the cold turf he
Contented lay, with list’ning care;
And though no stranger company,
Or lonely traveller rested there;
Old Trim was pleas’d to guard it still,
For ’twas his aged master’s will;–
And so pass’d on the chearful night and day,
‘Till the poor Shepherd’s Dog, was very old, and grey.

IV.

Among the villagers was he
Belov’d by all the young and old,
For he was chearful company,
When the north-wind blew keen and cold;
And when the cottage scarce was warm,
While round it flew, the midnight storm,
When loudly, fiercely roll’d the swelling tide–
The Shepherd’s faithful Dog, crept closely by his side.

V.

When Spring in gaudy dress would be,
Sporting across the meadows green,
He kept his master company,
And all amid the flow’rs was seen;
Now barking loud, now pacing fast,
Now, backward he a look would cast,
And now, subdu’d and weak, with wanton play,
Amid the waving grass, the Shepherd’s Dog would stay.

VI.

Now, up the rugged path would he
The steep hill’s summit slowly gain,
And still be chearful company,
Though shiv’ring in the pelting rain;
And when the brook was frozen o’er,
Or the deep snow conceal’d the moor,
When the pale moon-beams scarcely shed a ray,
The Shepherd’s faithful Dog, would mark the dang’rous way.

VII.

On Sunday, at the old Yew Tree,
Which canopies the church-yard stile,
Forc’d from his master’s company,
The faithful TRIM would mope awhile;
For then his master’s only care
Was the loud Psalm, or fervent Pray’r,
And, ’till the throng the church-yard path retrod,
The Shepherd’s patient guard, lay silent on the sod.

VIII.

Near their small hovel stood a tree,
Where TRIM was ev’ry morning found–
Waiting his master’s company,
And looking wistfully around;
And if, along the upland mead,
He heard him tune the merry reed,
O, then ! o’er hedge and ditch, thro’ brake and briar,
The Shepherd’s dog would haste, with eyes that seem’d on fire.

IX.

And now he pac’d the valley, free,
And now he bounded o’er the dew,
For well his master’s company
Would recompence his toil he knew;
And where a rippling rill was seen
Flashing the woody brakes between,
Fearless of danger, thro’ the lucid tide,
The Shepherd’s eager dog, yelping with joy, would glide.

X.

Full many a year, the same was he
His love still stronger every day,
For, in his master’s company,
He had grown old, and very grey;
And now his sight grew dim: and slow
Up the rough mountain he would go,
And his loud bark, which all the village knew,
With ev’ry wasting hour, more faint, and peevish grew.

XI.

One morn, to the low mead went he,
Rous’d from his threshold-bed to meet
A gay and lordly company!
The Sun was bright, the air was sweet;
Old TRIM was watchful of his care,
His master’s flocks were feeding there,
And, fearful of the hounds, he yelping stood
Beneath a willow Tree, that wav’d across the flood.

XII.

Old TRIM was urg’d to wrath; for he
Was guardian of the meadow bounds;
And, heedless of the company,
With angry snarl attack’d the hounds!
Some felt his teeth, though they were old,
For still his ire was fierce and bold,
And ne’er did valiant chieftain feel more strong
Than the Old Shepherd’s dog, when daring foes among.

XIII.

The Sun was setting o’er the Sea
The breezes murmuring sad, and slow,
When a gay lordly company,
Came to the Shepherd’s hovel low;
Their arm’d associates stood around
The sheep-cote fence’s narrow bound,
While its poor master heard, with fix’d despair,
That TRIM, his friend, deem’d MAD, was doom’d to perish there!

XIV.

The kind old Shepherd wept, for he
Had no such guide, to mark his way,
And kneeling pray’d the company,
To let him live, his little day !
“For many a year my Dog has been
“The only friend these eyes have seen,
“We both are old and feeble, he and I–
“Together we have liv’d, together let us die!

XV.

“Behold his dim, yet speaking eye!
“Which ill befits his visage grim
“He cannot from your anger fly,
“For slow and feeble is old TRIM!
“He looks, as though he fain would speak,
“His beard is white–his voice is weak–
“He IS NOT MAD! O! then, in pity spare
“The only watchful friend, of my small fleecy care!”

XVI.

The Shepherd ceas’d to speak, for He
Leant on his maple staff, subdu’d;
While pity touch’d the company,
And all, poor TRIM with sorrow view’d:
Nine days upon a willow bed
Old TRIM was doom’d to lay his head,
Oppress’d and sever’d from his master’s door,
Enough to make him MAD–were he not so before!

XVII.

But not forsaken yet, was he,
For ev’ry morn, at peep of day,
To keep his old friend company,
The lonely Shepherd bent his way:
A little boat, across the stream,
Which glitter’d in the sunny beam,
Bore him, where foes no longer could annoy,
Where TRIM stood yelping loud, and ALMOST MAD with joy!

XVIII.

Six days had pass’d and still was he
Upon the island left to roam,
When on the stream a wither’d tree
Was gliding rapid midst the foam!
The little Boat now onward prest,
Danc’d o’er the river’s bounding breast,
Till dash’d impetuous, ‘gainst the old tree’s side,
The Shepherd plung’d and groan’d, then sunk amid the tide.

XIX.

Old TRIM, now doom’d his friend to see
Beating the foam with wasted breath,
Resolv’d to bear him company,
E’en in the icy arms of death;
Soon with exulting cries he bore
His feeble master to the shore,
And, standing o’er him, howl’d in cadence sad,
For, fear and fondness, now, had nearly made him MAD.

XX.

Together, still their flocks they tend,
More happy than the proudly great;
The Shepherd has no other friend–
No Lordly home, no bed of state!
But on a pallet, clean and low,
They hear, unmov’d, the wild winds blow,
And though they ne’er another spring may see;
The Shepherd, and his Dog, are chearful company.