Spaying your pet has many benefits, and few risks. The procedure prevents female animals from becoming pregnant and reproducing. Spaying does not have many effects on your dog’s temperament, although if the animal is prone to estrus associated “mood swings” those typically go away after the spay.
By spaying your female pet, you’re protecting her against potentially deadly diseases, including bacterial infection of the uterus called pyometra, other reproductive diseases, and several types of cancer including breast, uterine and ovarian. You will avoid the mess that often accompanies the heat cycle in female dogs and the pacing and crying that happens with female cats – who stay in heat continuously. In addition, spaying your pet helps control dog and cat overpopulation problem, keeping more animals out of shelters.
Spaying, which involves removing the ovaries and uterus, is a surgical procedure performed under anesthesia. We follow strict protocols and continually monitor your pet’s vital signs to help ensure her safety. Please see the descriptions under Anesthesia and Patient Monitoring for more information on what we do to keep your pet safe. In the interest of improving safety, we typically avoid spaying during heat cycles and prefer to wait 8-12 weeks post cycle, when the hormone levels are back to baseline.
Any surgery carries risks, such as small anesthetic risk, hemorrhage, infection, etc. We are happy to help you prevent these with proper post-operative care instructions. There is some evidence in larger and giant breeds that early sterilization may increase risks of orthopedic disease and certain cancers. For this reason, our Practice policy is a minimum one year of age for these breeds. Exceptions are on case-by-case basis. Sterilization can increase risk of obesity. We recommend closely monitoring your Pet’s weight and fitness level regardless of their reproductive status. Certain female dogs and breeds are more prone to post spay urinary incontinence. We are glad to discuss your benefits and risk on an individual bases.
To set up a spay appointment or to learn more about this procedure, call or visit our clinic. If you are struggling with the decision of whether to spay your pet, please call us to schedule a consultation with one of our Veterinarians.
Did you know that Memphis, TN has a city-wide ordinance that requires all non-breeding Pets to be spayed and neutered to reduce the overpopulation and high shelter euthanasia rates? Breeding permits are available through Memphis Animal Services.