Perry Veterinary Clinic - Canine Surgeries

Spaying (ovariohysterectomy) is one of the most commonly performed surgeries in veterinary medicine and is usually performed on animals around 6 months of age. Please note that the use of the word ‘routine’ should not be mistaken for ‘quick, easy and free from complications’! Spaying plays a major role in preventing unwanted puppies and helps prevent certain disease conditions later in life.

In the female dog, this surgery, performed at 6 months of age, involves removing most of the reproductive tract. This includes the ovaries, the uterine horns and part of the uterine body. The cervix remains. Since the abdominal cavity is opened this surgery is considered a major surgery. The procedure may involve several steps as follows:

Pre-anesthetic physical examination is performed on ALL surgery patients
Pre-anesthetic bloodwork may be performed as requested by the owner
In some instances, the physical examination may dictate the need for pre-operative bloodwork
Administration of pre-operative medication that allows safer anesthesia and provides analgesia (pain relief)
Preparation of the patient
Surgery
Post-operative recovery and pain control
Recovering animals are closely monitored

As with any surgery, complications may arise and some of these may be very serious. Major complications are:

Anesthetic complications such as cardio-respiratory arrest
Hemorrhage (abdominal bleeding)
Dehiscence (opening) of the incision
Infection

Complications, by nature, are unforeseen and are dealt with as they arise. It is important that we have a way of contacting you on the day of the surgery in case emergencies occur. If we cannot contact you at the indicated number we will automatically begin emergency or corrective procedures that may appear on your bill. The incidence of complication is extremely low due to close monitoring of the patient before, during, and after the procedure. We cannot predict when complications will occur and in which animals they will occur. As we are not a 24-hour care facility, some complications occur whenever the clinic is closed and the staff is no longer present. This should be made clear to you prior to admitting your pet for surgery and will be stated in writing on the consent form. Please read this form carefully and ask questions – we will be glad to address your concerns

Neutering (orchectomy, castration) involves removal of the testicles which are the organs that produce reproductive cells or sperm. Normally, this surgery does not involve entry into the abdominal cavity and the incision is usually small, maybe 1 to 2 inches. Most of the time skin sutures will not be placed. Again, the procedure may involve several steps as follows:

Pre-anesthetic physical examination is performed on ALL surgery patients
Pre-anesthetic bloodwork as requested by the owner or as indicated by the physical examination
Administration of pre-operative medication that allows safer anesthesia and provides analgesia (pain relief)
Preparation of the patient
Surgery
Post-operative recovery and pain control
Recovering animals are closely monitored

As with any surgery, complications may arise and some of these may be very serious. Major complications are:

When one or both testicles fail to descend into the scrotum they are known as cryptorchid. There is a genetic basis to this condition. Neutering these animals is more involved and surgery is longer. As such, normal neutering fees do not apply to these cases. This should be discussed with you prior to admitting your dog for the procedure.

If you desire to have tails docked and dewclaws removed this should be performed within the first 3 days of birth. Dewclaws are removed and cauterized. Tails will be docked according to the owners’ desired lengths ,otherwise a table of breed standards will be followed. The skin at the end of the tail will be sewn closed with absorbable suture that will not need to be removed. Note that anesthesia is not used and is not necessary. Puppies usually fall asleep right after the procedure.

If the puppies are older than 3 – 5 days then significant bleeding can occur, especially from the docked tail. Please be aware of this complication and you should discuss this issue with the veterinarian prior to scheduling.

Please keep the puppies’ environment sanitary as much as possible to prevent fecal matter and dirt from contaminating the tail end and suture.

If you wish your puppy to have its ears cropped, please schedule an appointment to meet with a veterinarian to answer your questions. It is customary for the owners to provide a standard breed photograph from which we can map the surgery.

The ear margins will be closed with sutures that will disintegrate over time. They should be kept clean and dry until healing has progressed. A regular schedule of on-a-week, off-a-week ear bandages will be scheduled for your puppy. It is important to follow this schedule closely to maximize the desired cosmetic effect. This will be explained to you at the initial visit and after the procedure.