What is Spaying and Neutering Surgery?
Spaying surgery involves the removal of only the ovaries or both the ovaries and uterus in females. Neutering surgery involves the removal of the testicles in males. Many people may feel uneasy about performing surgery on the abdomen of their healthy pet, but spaying and neutering surgeries have the benefit of preventing future diseases. To make an informed decision for your beloved family member, let’s deepen our understanding of spaying and neutering surgeries.
Best Timing for Spaying and Neutering
The ideal time for spaying and neutering surgery is around 4 to 12 months of age, but the appropriate timing varies based on the pet’s size and gender. For females, it is reported that spaying before the first heat cycle significantly reduces the risk of mammary tumors.
Benefits for Females
Spaying surgery not only prevents unwanted pregnancies but also prevents health changes and problem behaviors associated with the heat cycle. It also helps prevent diseases related to female hormones, such as ovarian tumors, pyometra, and mammary tumors.
Benefits for Males
Early neutering surgery in males eliminates the stress associated with heat, reducing the frequency of marking and mounting behaviors. Additionally, it helps prevent diseases like testicular tumors, prostate enlargement, perianal dermatitis, perineal hernia, and urolithiasis.
Points to Consider for Spaying and Neutering Surgery
Increased Tendency to Gain Weight
After spaying and neutering surgery, pets tend to gain weight easily. This is due to hormonal changes, as the sex hormones needed for reproduction decrease, reducing the daily caloric requirement by about 20% compared to before the surgery, leading to a tendency for calorie excess.
Urinary Incontinence (Females)
Sex hormones are involved in muscle control during urination, so spaying surgery can increase the risk of urinary incontinence.
Changes in Coat Quality
Hormonal changes may cause changes in coat quality.
Bone Growth Issues
In some large breeds, especially Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and German Shepherds, early neutering surgery is said to increase the risk of joint disorders. Therefore, it is recommended to consider neutering surgery after these large breeds have matured (after the main stages of bone growth).
Prostate Cancer Risk
Prostate cancer often metastasizes to other areas, and the prognosis varies greatly depending on the progression. Early detection and appropriate treatment are crucial, but unfortunately, neutering surgery is not effective in preventing or completely preventing prostate cancer.
Types of Surgery for Females
Types of Removal
There are two types of spaying surgery: “ovariohysterectomy,” which involves removing the ovaries and uterus, and “ovariectomy,” which involves removing only the ovaries. Current reports indicate that there is no difference in the effectiveness of disease prevention between the two methods. For example, pyometra, a common uterine disease, is caused by the hormone progesterone, and removing the ovaries can prevent its occurrence. However, if immunosuppressants are used in the future, there is still a possibility of developing uterine diseases such as pyometra. At our hospital, we decide on the procedure after discussing the risks with the owner.
Types of Procedures
For females, you can choose between open surgery and laparoscopic surgery. Laparoscopic surgery involves making 2-3 small incisions of only a few millimeters instead of a large skin incision used in traditional spaying surgery. A high-resolution laparoscope is inserted through the incisions to carefully observe and perform the surgery.
The ovaries targeted for spaying are deeply anchored in the body by ligament tissues. In open surgery, the ovaries are pulled out through a small incision, which stretches the ligaments and increases pain and postoperative discomfort. In contrast, laparoscopic spaying surgery avoids strong traction on the ovaries during the procedure, reducing both intraoperative and postoperative pain. Compared to open surgery, laparoscopic surgery results in smaller incisions, less postoperative pain, faster recovery, and a lower risk of infection. However, laparoscopic surgery is more expensive due to the use of specialized equipment.
At our hospital, we use a sealing device and self-tie technique for both open and laparoscopic surgeries, leaving no sutures inside the body.
Types of Surgery for Males
Neutering surgery involves making a surgical incision in the skin near the testicles and removing the testicles. Normally, the testicles descend into the scrotum from the abdominal cavity by about six months of age. When they fail to descend properly and remain in the abdominal cavity or groin area, this condition is called cryptorchidism. It is more common in small dogs, and leaving it untreated increases the risk of testicular tumors. At our hospital, we use a laparoscope to perform the surgery when the cryptorchid testicle is in the abdominal cavity to minimize the burden.
Message from the Veterinarian
We understand that many people may feel uneasy about performing surgery on the abdomen of their healthy pet. However, our hospital offers laparoscopic surgery, which minimizes the burden on the body. If you have any concerns or questions about spaying or neutering surgery, please feel free to consult with us.
