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An Overview Of The Desexing Procedure For Female Dogs

22 June 2021 by Sophie Knight

Desexing female dogs, known as spaying, is a routine procedure carried out by vets and is considered safe and effective. You can have your dog spayed from around two months old, and it's common for dog owners to have their dogs spayed before they reach sexual maturity, which for some dogs can be as young as six months old. Don't worry if you have an older dog, spaying can be carried out at any stage in an adult dog's life. Read on to learn more about the reasons spaying can be good for your dog, the potential risks and what actually happens during the surgery.

Benefits Of Spaying

The obvious benefit of spaying is it prevents unwanted litters of puppies. However, there are other benefits to take into consideration when deciding whether to have your dog spayed. Spaying puts an end to your dog's heat cycle, so male dogs won't circle your dog in an excited frenzy when you go for a walk and you won't have blood stains to deal with. Spaying also reduces the chance that your dog will develop certain types of cancer including ovarian and mammary cancer.

Potential Risks Of Spaying

As with all surgical procedures, there are some risks involved, and you should discuss the risks with your vet. The most common risks to be aware of with this type of surgery are post-surgical haemorrhaging and bacterial infection at the site of the wound. It's also possible for your dog to experience an allergic reaction to the anaesthetic. Your vet can make you aware of the signs of complications you should keep an eye out for when you take your dog home.

The Surgery

A general anaesthetic is given for this type of surgery, and your vet will make an incision along the lower abdomen to allow them to access your dog's reproductive system. Spaying involves the removal of the uterus and the ovaries. The blood vessels that supply the reproductive organs will be stitched to stop the flow of blood and prevent an internal infection from developing after surgery. The wound will be closed with stitches or staples, and your dog will be able to go home once they regain consciousness. General anaesthetic can make some dogs drowsy for a couple of days, so provide a calm recovery area for your dog to rest.

You can discuss your dog's specific dog desexing procedure with your vet, and they can answer any questions you have before you leave your dog with them.  

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