To Spay or Not to Spay?

Spaying your pet is a big decision and an important one. I am not here to talk badly about the people that do not spay their pet but rather explain why the veterinary world recommend it.

Female Dog Anatomy
(Baywood Vet Hospital)

The Meaning of "Spay"
Understanding female anatomy is not a must in making a decision whether to spay or not but it will help you understand what "spaying" actually means. During this surgery the animals' uterus as well as the ovaries are completely removed by making a small incision just below the "belly button." The uterus is y-shaped (cats and dogs), so therefore this can be done fairly easy if there are no complications. The recommended age to do this procedure is between four to six months because this is before the female will go into her first heat cycle. Doing this before her first heat cycle occurs will greatly decrease the chance of mammary cancer (breast cancer).

Spaying Advantages
There are several benefits you and your pet will get from this procedure.

Mammary Tumor in a Dog
(Phys.org)

Mammary. Uterine and Ovarian Cancer
The main reason is the prevention of mammary cancer. The levels of estrogen (female hormone released during their heat cycle) will effect mammary development; therefore to decrease estrogen in the animals' body it is best to spay before the hormone can be released. As with people, breast cancer can be scary. The breast tumor can be taken off because it develops in the mammary gland but this doesn't mean that the cancer itself is gone; which is why this is hard to treat. Uterine and ovarian cancer can also develop if these organs aren't taking out.

Pyometra

Normal Uterus vs. Infected Uterus
(Marvista Vet)

Pyometra is also a big concern especially in older intact dogs. This is when there is an infection in the uterus caused by "hormone changes in the female reproductive tract." (VCA Hospitals) It normally occurs two to eight weeks after the female's last heat cycle. There are two types of pyometra: open or closed depending on the dilation of the cervix. Open cervix pyometra isn't as life threatening but still requires veterinary intervention. Strong antibiotics can be given but are not promised to treat the infection. Vaginal discharge, fever and lethargy are common signs of this type of pyometra. If it is a closed cervix pyometra the situation becomes life threatening and will more than likely need surgical intervention because the bacteria trapped in the uterus cannot escape as with open cervix pyometra. Dogs with this problem become sick very fast. Listlessness, vomiting, and anorexia are signs to look for in a closed cervix pyometra.

What Do I Do Once My Pet is Spayed?

Example of an E-Collar
(Pet Project Blog)

Most dogs and cats will do just fine post-operatively after a spay. Rest and leash walks with pain medications are the only things a doctor will prescribe. Rest and leash walks are to help ensure proper healing internally and at the incision site. Pain medications are to keep your pet comfortable until everything internally has healed. One thing to monitor your pet for is scratching, licking or irritating the incision site. This can cause unwanted infection. There are steps, such as an e-collar, you can take to ensure this doesn't happen.

(Bark Pouch)

There Are No Real Disadvantages
Many people believe that by spaying their pet, obesity and laziness will occur. This is false. Spaying your pet does not cause these problems. A nutritional consult with your veterinarian can help prevent obesity. Regulating and monitoring your pet's food intake is an easy way to prevent obesity.



This is a lot of information to take in, I know. I hope that you understand the importance of spaying your pet as it can increase it's health quality as well as possible life expectancy. If you have any questions or need further information on this topic, please don't hesitate to contact Tenth Street Animal Hospital and we will help you anyway we can!

Here's a tail waggin' day!

-Noelle

*Information for this post was obtained from: VCA Hospitals and TSAH handout.
*Pictures in this post can be found at the links provided.