Purpose of the Operation:
The operation of removing only the ovaries in order to prevent the desire to mate in older cats and to treat ovarian cysts and tumorsis called as Ovariectomy. It is not a highly preferred operation. Leaving the uterus only by
taking only ovaries increases the likelihood of experiencing problems related to the uterus in following periods.It is usually performed upon the request of the patient’s owner.
In order to spay the female dogs and cats; the operative procedure of removing uterus together with the ovaries is called as Ovariohysterectomy.
It can be applied to the females reaching sexual maturity. However, it is generally preferred when the development of the body is completed.
Spaying procedure is usually done in female animals to prevent the desire of mating and pregnancy. It is also applied for the treatment in diseases such as ovarian cysts, metritis and pyometra etc..
It can also be applied as a protective operation in female old cats and dogs in order to prevent the formation of cystic formations that can develop in ovaries and accordingly formation of mammary tumors due to impaired hormonal metabolism.
Points to Take into Account Before the Operation:
After the spaying operation is decided, the patient is required to perform general health controls of the patient for the operation. This will be useful in order to determine the overall condition of the patient and not to pose a risk for the patient to be anesthetized. For this purpose, it is necessary to observe the blood values of the patient and to perform other examinations.
If the operation is performed for treatment purposes (metritis etc.), drugs previously prescribed by the veterinary physician should be used regularly until the day of operation.
If the patient has any drug allergy, this should be absolutely shared with the veterinary physician. The patient should not be fed within 12-24 hours before the operation. This will allow the patient, to be anesthetized, to undergo a more comfortable operation.
Technique of the Operation:
Sterilization processes of the patient to whom a sedative is administered for the operation, are performed in the preparation room. First of all, the hair on the operation area is shaved for this purpose. Then, the area is locally disinfected with an antiseptic solution. After these procedures, type of anesthesia preferred by the veterinary physician is applied to the patient taken to the operating room. The area is limited by a sterile cloth and made ready for the surgical intervention.
According to the preference of the veterinary physician, the operation can be done from the left fasting cavity that is also called as fossa paralumbalis or from the midline of abdomen that is called as linea alba. After the abdominal cavity is opened from the selected region and the right and left ovaries are detected, ligatures are inserted and the uterus and ovaries are removed by incision. The operating line is closed by suturing the muscles and the skin.
Ovariohysterectomy is the most preferred method among the methods used in operation.
Apart from this method, the method called as Hysterectomy is also applied. Spaying can be performed only by the removal of the uterus. With this method, one or two of the ovaries are left. Thus, the female cat/dog can continue its sexual activities. However, as the hormone metabolism continues its activity, the heat status especially in cats is seen continuously. However, although the female is mated, no pregnancy occurs. In following periods, the possibility of a cyst formation in the ovaries is also quite high. Thus, it is not a preferred method.
Points to Take into Account After the Operation:
The antibiotic application after surgery should be of the duration and dose recommended by the veterinary physician. After the operation, WinPet Medvest should be used as the patient may damage the operation area by licking and biting. Sudden movements that may create a risk such as jumping, should be prevented. Analgesics can be used when needed.
Complete recovery is completed within about 10-12 days and sutures can be removed.
Under normal conditions, the patient will start to eat 24-36 hours after the operation and will return its routine life.
In case there is swelling, redness, inflammation etc. occurs due to a possible edema in the region in this period, the veterinary physician should be consulted as soon as possible.
Possible Complications After the Operation:
Complications that may develop are scarcely any provided that necessary sterilization and the use of suitable materials during the operation and regular administration of antibiotics and serum therapy after the operation are taken into consideration.
However, excessive and inappropriate exercises should be avoided after the operation. Sutures should be protected by using WinPet MedVest for the patient. Otherwise, eventration can occur (opening of the sutures and protrusion of viscera)
Since a tendency to gain weight due to the altered hormone metabolism after the operation may be in question, the feeding of the spayed patient should be regulated again.
As an exception in some patients, a reaction against the operation develops and sometimes, high fever and failure of eating occur lasting for 7-10 days. However this rate is 1-2%.
