Spay
Ovariohysterectomy (OHE) other wise known as a spay.
The following pets are able to be spayed at our clinic: cats, dogs, rabbits, ferrets, skunks, raccoons, foxes and pigs. Spaying your pet is a procedure that removes the two ovaries, the uterine horns, and the body of the uterus.
Why?: By having your animal sterilized, you will prevent the birth of unwanted puppies and kittens. Helps protect against some serious health problems, and may reduce many behavioral problems associated with mating instincts. Eliminates heat cycles and generally reduces unwanted behaviors. Early spaying can help protect them from serious health problems later in life like uterine infections (pyometra) and breast cancer. The procedure has no effect on a pet’s intelligence or ability to learn, play, work, or hunt. Some pets tend to be better behaved following the surgical procedure.
Recovery: Typical recovery, as long as the animal isn’t too active during the healing process, is about 10-14 days.
Risks: Doing this procedure too early in life can increase risk of health problems like urinary incontinence and some types of cancer. Spaying is considered a major surgical procedure, and they are the most common surgeries performed by veterinarians. Like any surgical procedure, there is associated risk with anesthesia and surgery itself, but the overall incidence of complications is very low. Before the procedure, your pet is given a thorough physical examination to ensure that she is in good health. General anesthesia is administered to perform the surgery and medications are given to minimize pain. You will be asked to keep your pet calm and quiet for a few days after surgery as the incision begins to heal.
The requirements we ask before your pet is spayed at our clinic; the pet must be at least 6 months of age. Except for rabbits, they are able to be spayed at 4 months. They must have an up-to-date rabies vaccination, if there is no history of a rabies vaccine we will have to give your pet the vaccine to proceed with the procedure. Only if your pet is required to have a rabies vaccine (pocket pets are exempt). If you want to see if your pet is required to have a rabies vaccine check out Rabies.
