Ovariohistorectomy: Spaying Your Dog
Spaying your pet greatly reduces the risk of mammary cancer and uterine infection, limits overpopulation and can prevent behaviors associated with the estrous cycle.
Choosing When to Spay
Small Breeds (under 45 lbs as adults)
spay before first heat cycle (5-6 months of age)
Breeds that generally weigh less than 45 pounds at adulthood should be spayed before the first heat cycle (5 to 6 months). Smaller breeds do not have the same risk factors that incentivize delayed spaying in large breeds. In fact, delaying past the first heat cycle dramatically increases the risk of mammary cancer. If your pet goes through a heat cycle before spaying, you will want to schedule the spay for her when she is not in heat, typically 2-4 weeks after her last cycle ends.
Breeds that generally weigh more than 45 pounds at adulthood should be spayed between 5 and 15 months of age, depending on the pet's lifestyle and breed. Competing Risk Factors complicate the decision process and require an individual assessment. For example, certain large breeds have decreased risk of certain cancers and decreased bone, ligament and joint problems when spayed later, but spaying later increases the risk of uterine infection and mammary cancer. Additionally, if your pet is mounting, showing aggression or anxiety during heat, we will want to spay sooner to prevent these from developing into learned behaviors. If your pet goes through a heat cycle before spaying, you will want to schedule the spay for her when she is not in heat, typically 2-4 weeks after her last cycle ends
RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH SIZE AND BREED
CONSIDERATION FOR FAMILY GOALS AND PET BEHAVIOR
How to Book and Pricing Information
Booking is a two step process: the pre-surgery safety visit and the surgery date.
Pricing varies based on the weight of your pet and physiological factors such as obesity, age, or pregnancy.
How to Book
Once you decide with your Veterinarian what age is best to spay your pet, you'll schedule two visits with us by calling (818) 848-5007. A pre-surgical appointment and the surgery date. The pre-surgical appointment is a visit with our nurses for a blood test and to receive your pet's comfort pack, including calming medications for surgery day. This appointment should be no more than 30 days before surgery, but no less than 1 week.
Pricing Information
The Spay Procedure is priced based on weight and some physiological factors that require special treatment such as age, obesity, pregnancy or heat, and brachycephaly (breeds with short-faces like pugs and bulldogs) Your Veterinarian will prepare a custom treatment plan for your pet based on her weight at the recommended time of surgery, and any special considerations they may have such as those mentioned above.
Before, During & after Surgery Day
Our protocols are designed to keep your pet comfortable and safe. Here is what to know before, during, and after your pet's spay.
Preparing For Surgery
You will have a call with one of our nurses one or two days prior to the surgery date. After surgery, you won't be able to bathe your pet for 14 days. Now is your last chance! The comfort pack you receive at your pre-surgical appointment contains calming medications and pill-hiding treats to administer the doses in the evening prior to surgery and the morning of surgery. You will admit your pet for surgery no later than 7:15am. You can expect to pick your pet up between 4pm and 6pm.
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Optional light meal by 6am
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Admission by 7:15am
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Pick- Up by 6:00pm
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Give calming medications as prescribed
Before Surgery
Recovery
When you arrive to pick up your pet, we will discuss homecare and dispense pain medications for your pet to take at home. We will provide a recovery collar that needs to be worn for 14 days after surgery. During this time, only light activity is allowed. Short walks are okay, but no jumping, running, or rough play. You won't need a recheck appointment unless you have concerns. The incision should be kept dry, and monitored for swelling, bleeding or oozing.
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Give a late, small dinner
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Recovery Collar Stays on for 14 days
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Light activity for 14 days