Desexing Bitches

[keroppiyo]

Hi All.

I'm planning to have Buffy (15 month old healthy Samoyed) desexed in the next month or so. When I told my mum it involved removal of the uterus and ovaries, she was quite concerned about the extent of the operation.

I understand that even though it may sound quite drastic, it's a routinely performed procedure, and she should be fine.

I'm just wondering though, has anyone had their bitch desexed by tubal ligation, or is this normally not done unless there's a good reason?

[aussielover]

Spaying is a fairly major procedure, though it is routinely done and the majority of animals handle it fine- much better than a human would!

If you are concerned I would suggest getting pre-anaesthetic blood testing done and also have your dog on fluids throughout the procedure. This will ensure the dog is healthy beforehand and will speed up the recovery time (fluids will). I would not use a vet that does not include pain relief as part of the procedure as I do believe it is necessary and usually be an injection follwoing surgery.

Though the risks would be minimal in a healthy 15 month old girl.

It usually takes about 20-30 mins (depending on the vet) but the animal would be under for longer to allow for prepping the site for surgery. Not many go for more than 45 minutes unless there are complications.

Tubal ligation is not normally done. There is still a small chance your dog may become pregnant and she will still go into heat (very inconvienient). You still have the risk of pyometra (infection of the uterus- not very pleasant) and mammary cancer, just like in an entire dog.

But you have to do what you think will be best for your girl

[keroppiyo]

I personally have no problems having the uterus and ovaries removed as I'm aware of the risks of pyometra and would like to prevent that. It's more asking for my mum. Also for understanding the advantages and disadvantages of tubal ligation. Since this is what's usually done in humans, I thought it might be a better alternative in some ways but not sure what.

Thanks for your advice. I'll be sure to ask my vet about having the tests, fluids and pain relief

[Everythings Shiny]

For anyone who really stresses about their pets, we always recommend what aussie lover suggested. It does make the procedure dearer, but can help their recovery.

You would also need to find out if your vet has done a Tubal ligation before, I know none of my boss's have (but we are out in the country, might be why), just to make sure they have experience with that before hand

[keroppiyo]

It makes sense to give them painkillers after surgery. But then a thought crossed my mind. If she doesn't feel the pain, will she know to control her activities?

She broke her leg when she was younger, and would try to run around. I'm sure if I didn't have her on lead whenever out of the crate, she would've run around the whole house, albeit quite awkardly.

Edited September 30, 2010 by keroppiyo

[aussielover]

It makes sense to give them painkillers after surgery. But then a thought crossed my mind. If she doesn't feel the pain, will she know to control her activities?

She broke her leg when she was younger, and would try to run around. I'm sure if I didn't have her on lead whenever out of the crate, she would've run around the whole house, albeit quite awkardly.

The painkillers will only last for around 24hrs after given. We usually keep our spays in overnight, in a cage, with an ecollar, so they can't really get up to too much trouble

If your vet is happy for you to take her home on the same day, make sure you crate her for the rest of the day and overnight. She may be feeling pretty sleepy and lousy anyway from the anaesthetic.

After a few days (if you're lucky :D) of feeling a bit miserable, it is them up to you to limit her activities. Most dogs feel fine after 2-3 days (and quite a few feel absoltuely fine and bouncy as soon as they wake up!) but should still not be allowed to run around.

[Staranais]

I've just learned this year that in europe they apparently most commonly do an OVE not an OVH when they desex dogs (that is, they only take the ovaries, not the uterus too). It's a smaller operation, for the same benefit - rates of pyometra are similar between populations. Very interesting.

I also do not get any of my animals put under without fluids.

[aussielover]

I've just learned this year that in europe they apparently most commonly do an OVE not an OVH when they desex dogs (that is, they only take the ovaries, not the uterus too). It's a smaller operation, for the same benefit - rates of pyometra are similar between populations. Very interesting.

I also do not get any of my animals put under without fluids.

That makes sense because it is sometimes the hormones that the ovaries produce predispose the uterus to getting infected (if i remember correctly?).

[Staranais]

That makes sense because it is sometimes the hormones that the ovaries produce predispose the uterus to getting infected (if i remember correctly?).

Yup you've got it. You'll almost always only get a pyo after removing the ovaries if you've accidentally left an ovarian remnant in, or you give the dog synthetic hormones (e.g. a mismating shot) later on.

The surgeon said it was just a cultural thing, we & the Americans do OVH out of habit, and but many europeans think we're strange for doing anything but OVE.

Edited September 30, 2010 by Staranais

[keroppiyo]

I've just learned this year that in europe they apparently most commonly do an OVE not an OVH when they desex dogs (that is, they only take the ovaries, not the uterus too). It's a smaller operation, for the same benefit - rates of pyometra are similar between populations. Very interesting.

That is interesting. I'd not really heard of that being done, not that I know much about desexing. Learn something new everyday.