Canine Hysterectomy

A canine hysterectomy or ovariohysterectomy, is commonly known as spaying. Spaying is the act of sterilizing a female dog so she is not able to breed litters of puppies. Many people neglect to spay their dogs due to lack of funds or because they intend to breed their dogs. However, it's beneficial to spay your dog not only to control the pet population but to increase the lifespan of your canine family member.

  1. Ovariohysterectomy

    • An ovariohysterectomy is performed by a licensed veterinarian. In this practice, the vet removes all of your dogs reproductive organs from the uterus to the oviduct. There are other ways to sterilize your dog, such as having her tubes tied. Although many veterinarians prefer to remove the uterus to avoid potential health problems that could arise in later year. Many vets recommend having your pet spayed at a young age so recovery is easier. Often, a female dog will need a week or two to completely heal from the surgery.

    Health

    • Some people choose to breed their dogs in order to enhance maturity of their dogs. However, according to the vets Foster and Smith, giving birth in no way helps your dog to mentally grow up faster. Female dogs with their uteruses intact are also prone to types of uterine infections or even cancer in their later years which can be fatal. Also Foster and Smith claim that during times of heat, the behavior of a dog can change and genetic issues may be more evident.

    Spaying for Numbers

    • According to the ASPCA, 5 to 7 million unwanted cats and dogs enter animal shelters nationwide every year. It is estimated that well over half of these animals are put to sleep. Neglecting to spay your pet only increases the chances that you will have an unwanted litter of puppies. Puppies and adult dogs alike end up in shelters because there are more animals that need homes than there are homes available. Spaying your dog helps you do your part to control the pet population.

    Cost

    • The cost to spay your dog greatly varies depending on the region in which you live, the age of your dog, and the weight of your dog. At the time of publication, cheaper clinics charge in the $100 range, while more expensive clinics charge nearly $300 or even more. The cost also rises if your dog has other health problems or is older. Overweight dogs generally cost more to spay as well. Pregnant dogs can also be spayed, though the cost rises immensely, and some vets will not spay a pregnant dog.