A Spay is Not Just a Spay.

A spay is one of the most common surgical procedures performed by veterinarians. But what exactly is a spay? The term spay is a generic term that means surgical removal of the female reproductive organs. This can mean one of two things. The term spay can refer to ovariohysterectomy, which is the removal of the ovaries and the uterus. Alternatively, spay can refer to ovariectomy, which is removal of only the ovaries. So why do most veterinarians recommend spaying dogs and cats? There are numerous healthy benefits that come from spaying your pet. Spaying female dogs and cats helps prevent accidental pregnancy, reduces the risk for mammary cancer, and eliminates other possible health conditions such as uterine infection (pyometra), ovarian cancer, and uterine cancer. 

 Both ovariohysterectomy and ovariectomy are equally effective, and research has shown no difference in health benefits between the two procedures. So regardless of whether the ovaries and uterus (ovariohysterectomy) or just the ovaries (ovariectomy) are removed, spaying your pet can ultimately lead to your pet living a longer and healthier life. So what is new to learn about the common spay?

Historically, in veterinary medicine, the only way a spay could be performed was by open abdominal surgery. This surgery involves making an incision in the muscles of the abdominal wall, opening the abdominal cavity, and removing the reproductive organs through the abdominal incision. While there is nothing wrong with that method, advances in veterinary medicine and technology have given veterinarians a second way to perform a spay procedure through minimally invasive techniques. This minimally invasive procedure is called laparoscopic surgery.

Laparoscopic surgery uses high-definition cameras, fiber optic lights, and high tech small instruments that are inserted into the abdominal cavity through two tiny incisions. The high-definition cameras allow for superior visualization of your pet’s internal organs – much better than the naked eye. The superior visualization allows the surgeon to see more precisely and this greater detail makes a big difference for your pets’ safety.

Better visualization allows surgeons to be more precise with their surgical techniques as well as detect and address things such as small amounts of hemorrhage present during the procedure. Additionally, the entire surgical procedure can be documented through high definition pictures and videos and the minimally invasive approach, through two tiny incisions, means less pain after surgery and a quicker recovery for your pet.

With the ability to perform minimally invasive surgery, a spay is no longer just a spay. Now pet owners have options when it comes to spaying their pets. And you and your veterinarian can choose how to best serve your pet – either the traditional method, or minimally invasively.

Dr. Andrea Clark, DACVS-SA

Veterinary Surgeon