Should I Spay My Female Dog?

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Spaying means surgically removing the ovaries (with or without the uterus) from a female dog. This removes female hormone production, stopping the dog having seasons and preventing breeding. Spaying (neutering) is a routine procedure not requiring hospitalisation, with an average recovery time of 7-10 days.

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What are the benefits?

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Neutering prevents accidental mating (monitoring your dog’s bleeding for fertility is not exact)
Mammary tumours are seen more often in entire females, many of which are malignant. Research suggests that spaying before two years of age may have the most protective effect
Neutering prevents false pregnancies, which occur when hormones don’t “reset” properly after a season – this causes behavioural changes and even milk production, and is likely to happen again after every following season
Up to 25% of entire females will develop pyometra by 10 years of age
Ovarian and uterine cancer are uncommon but often aggressive and difficult to detect until they are very progressed
Breeding carries significant risks to the mum, including need for caesarean, development of mastitis, and death during or after birth

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Are there any alternatives?

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There are no permanent methods of chemical neutering for female dogs, and the high risk of serious problems such as pyometra means spaying is almost always recommended.

Keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery involves smaller wounds with reduced post-operative discomfort and faster recovery times. It is a great option for big, bouncy dogs but can be suitable for any dog over 5kg. Keyhole surgery is not available in every practice as specialist equipment is required.

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What are the risks?

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All procedures have risks; however, spaying is generally considered a routine and safe procedure. Specific risks include:

Swelling or infection of the wound; risk reduced with rest and use of a buster collar
Energy requirements drop drastically after neutering so weight gain is common - obesity can cause many problems so careful weight management is important
Urinary incontinence in older dogs is more common in neutered females, and larger breeds, however the risk is significantly increased with early neutering (before 3 months) which is not performed in the UK. Urinary incontinence can be managed very successfully with medication
Some dog breeds may experience a change in their hair coat texture after neutering
Anaesthetic deaths and excessive bleeding during surgery can happen but are extremely rare

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When should we spay?

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There are no health benefits to having a season, or a litter, and spaying from 6 months old (before the first season) is suitable for many dogs.

Most female dogs have a season every 6-7 months. It is recommended to neuter in between these to reduce the risk of bleeding, typically 3 months post season
Studies show that dogs with an adult weight over 20kg have a higher incidence of joint problems if neutered before a year old
It is recommended to delay neutering of large and giant breeds until 18 months old. However, this risk must be off set with the risk of false pregnancies or accidental mating

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Please speak to your vet or nurse to decide what is best for your pet.

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What happens on the day?

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You will be asked to bring your pet to the clinic in the morning
A member of the team will go through a consent form to confirm the procedure and answer any questions you have
Your dog will need to stay in the clinic for the day; most practices won’t be able to give you the exact time of your pet’s procedure
Before surgery, a pre-medication injection containing pain relief and a mild sedative will be given to your pet
Once under anaesthetic, the procedure area will be shaved to allow the skin to be cleaned and made sterile. Some dogs have a mild reaction to clipping which usually settles within a few days
Surgery typically takes 20-60 minutes however both operating time and the size of the surgical wound vary with the size of dog and different surgeons
Pets recover from anaesthesia at different speeds, but once your pet has woken up fully, she will be offered something to eat, and a discharge time arranged

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What happens afterwards?

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Your dog may be groggy for up to 48 hours as the anaesthesia wears off, but generally most young dogs recover quickly
You will be given a buster collar and must use this, or a surgical body suit, to prevent your pet from licking her stitches. As they heal, they will become itchy, but interference can cause serious infections
It is advised to keep your dog quiet for the first few days and do no more than short lead walks to toilet for 10 days post-surgery
Check-ups will be in the first couple of days after the procedure and again at 7-10 days post-op
Removing any sutures and the buster collar will be done at the 7-10 day post-op check-up