An Ovariohysterectomy is the removal of the uterus and ovaries
Dogs
The benefit of the procedure is to stop the effects of the female hormones on the breasts and to eliminate all chances of Ovarian Cancer, Uterine Cancer, and uterine infections. Elderly female dogs are prone to uterine infections. Patients affected with uterine infections become weak, debilitated, and often toxic. Surgery must be performed at this stage to cure the problem and these patients are at an increased anesthetic risk. It is always advantageous to spay a dog prior to the onset of problems.
Behavioral Considerations: During heat cycles, female dogs are more apt to wander away from home in search of a mate. Without the hormonal influence, females are less likely to roam and have unwanted pregnancies.
Occasionally female dogs will have an increased chance of urinary dribbling after being spayed. This problem is relatively rare and very treatable. The benefits of spaying the dog well outweigh the risk of this potential problem.
Churchville Veterinary Hospital generally recommends that your female puppy or kitten be spayed between 4 - 6 months, unless otherwise specified by the doctor.
The benefit of the procedure is to stop the effects of the female hormones on the breasts and to eliminate all chances of Ovarian Cancer, Uterine Cancer, and uterine infections. Elderly female dogs are prone to uterine infections. Patients affected with uterine infections become weak, debilitated, and often toxic. Surgery must be performed at this stage to cure the problem and these patients are at an increased anesthetic risk. It is always advantageous to spay a dog prior to the onset of problems.
Behavioral Considerations: During heat cycles, female dogs are more apt to wander away from home in search of a mate. Without the hormonal influence, females are less likely to roam and have unwanted pregnancies.
Occasionally female dogs will have an increased chance of urinary dribbling after being spayed. This problem is relatively rare and very treatable. The benefits of spaying the dog well outweigh the risk of this potential problem.
Churchville Veterinary Hospital generally recommends that your female puppy or kitten be spayed between 4 - 6 months, unless otherwise specified by the doctor.
Risk of Leaving a Female Dog Unspayed/Intact
Deciding whether to spay your female dog involves balancing several health considerations. While some recent research supports individualized timing for select breeds, leaving a dog unspayed carries well-documented medical risks that increase with age. The UC Davis research often cited in discussions about Golden Retriever spay/neuter timing did not evaluate mammary tumor risk or pyometra risk as core outcomes in its published recommendations. These hormone- driven conditions remain significant and well documented in intact female dogs. There is a lot of information circling the internet and passionate pet groups, and not all of it reflects the full medical picture. Spay decisions should be individualized and made with the veterinarian using complete, evidence-based information.
1: Mammary (breast) Tumors
Mammary tumors are the most common tumors in intact female dogs. Approximately 50% of those are malignant (cancerous) and can spread to lymph nodes and lungs. Hormonal exposure over time is the primary risk factor.
REPRODUCTIVE STATUS APPROXIMATE LIFETIME RISK
Spayed before first heat <1 %
Spayed after first heat ~ 8%
Spayed after second heat ~26%
Intact, never pregnant 25-50%
Intact, one or more pregnancies 40-60%
2: Pyometra (Life-Threatening Uterine Infection)
Pyometra is a severe bacterial infection of the uterus that occurs almost exclusively in unspayed female dogs. It is caused by repeated hormonal cycling and often requires emergency surgery.
POPULATION APPROXIMATE RISK
All intact females 15-25% by 10 years of age
High-risk breeds Up to 40-60%
Senior intact females (>10 years old) Risk increases sharply
Combined Lifetime Risk
When mammary tumors and pyometra are considered together, more than half intact female dogs will develop one of these serious conditions if they live long enough.
Veterinary Guidance
Spaying eliminates risk of pyometra and dramatically reduces the risk of mammary cancer when performed early. For some breeds, timing should be individualized based on orthopedic, cancer,and behavioral considerations. Your veterinarian can help determine the most appropriate plan.
References
Schneider R, Dorn CR, Taylor DO. Factors influencing mammary cancer development and postsurgical survival. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1969;43 1249-1261
Moe L Population-based incidence of mammary tumors in dogs. J Reprod Fertil Suppl. 1001;57:439-443
Beauvais W, Cardwell JM, Brodbelt DC. The effect of neutering on the risk of mammary tumors in dogs. J Small Anim Pract. 2012;53(6):314-322
Egenvall A, et al. Breek risk of pyometra in insured dogs in Sweden. J Vet Intern Med 2011;15-530-538.
Hagman R. Clinical and molecular characteristics of pyometra in female dogs. Repro Domest Anim. 2012;47 (Suppl 6):323-325
1: Mammary (breast) Tumors
Mammary tumors are the most common tumors in intact female dogs. Approximately 50% of those are malignant (cancerous) and can spread to lymph nodes and lungs. Hormonal exposure over time is the primary risk factor.
REPRODUCTIVE STATUS APPROXIMATE LIFETIME RISK
Spayed before first heat <1 %
Spayed after first heat ~ 8%
Spayed after second heat ~26%
Intact, never pregnant 25-50%
Intact, one or more pregnancies 40-60%
2: Pyometra (Life-Threatening Uterine Infection)
Pyometra is a severe bacterial infection of the uterus that occurs almost exclusively in unspayed female dogs. It is caused by repeated hormonal cycling and often requires emergency surgery.
POPULATION APPROXIMATE RISK
All intact females 15-25% by 10 years of age
High-risk breeds Up to 40-60%
Senior intact females (>10 years old) Risk increases sharply
Combined Lifetime Risk
When mammary tumors and pyometra are considered together, more than half intact female dogs will develop one of these serious conditions if they live long enough.
Veterinary Guidance
Spaying eliminates risk of pyometra and dramatically reduces the risk of mammary cancer when performed early. For some breeds, timing should be individualized based on orthopedic, cancer,and behavioral considerations. Your veterinarian can help determine the most appropriate plan.
References
Schneider R, Dorn CR, Taylor DO. Factors influencing mammary cancer development and postsurgical survival. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1969;43 1249-1261
Moe L Population-based incidence of mammary tumors in dogs. J Reprod Fertil Suppl. 1001;57:439-443
Beauvais W, Cardwell JM, Brodbelt DC. The effect of neutering on the risk of mammary tumors in dogs. J Small Anim Pract. 2012;53(6):314-322
Egenvall A, et al. Breek risk of pyometra in insured dogs in Sweden. J Vet Intern Med 2011;15-530-538.
Hagman R. Clinical and molecular characteristics of pyometra in female dogs. Repro Domest Anim. 2012;47 (Suppl 6):323-325
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Mammary Tumor
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Pyometra
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Cats
The benefits of this procedure are to eliminate all chances of Ovarian Cancer, Uterine Cancer, and uterine infections.
Behavioral Considerations: During heat cycles, female cats are more apt to wander away from home in search of a mate. Without the hormonal influence, females are less likely to roam and have unwanted pregnancies.
Behavioral Considerations: During heat cycles, female cats are more apt to wander away from home in search of a mate. Without the hormonal influence, females are less likely to roam and have unwanted pregnancies.
