Spaying Decisions

[Toller_08]

I would go with option #1 as well.

[elegy]

What are the purported benefits of the ovariectomy vs traditional spay?

[stardogs]

Faster recovery time, smaller incisions, less risk of hemorrhage and other surgical complications, some people purport that there is some residual hormone activity from the uterus, but that seems to be under debate.

[JessLough]

I voted to go to the specialist and leave her uterus... but then again, then you have to hope they get ALL of the ovaries out, or you'll be back where you're started.

[elegy]

Originally Posted by stardogs

Faster recovery time, smaller incisions, less risk of hemorrhage and other surgical complications

Given the small incision size and the speed of recovery of the vast majority of dogs I see spayed at work, I totally wouldn't go out of my way to avoid the chance of complications given a good vet.

I mean, Luce's spay incision was all of 2" long, and she was a mature adult.

[Flyinsbt]

Tess was 5 years old and had a litter before she was spayed, was ready to leave my vet's office within a few hours, and healed probably faster than I gave her credit for. (I was being very careful. She wasn't.) The only thing that might have been of interest to me would be if there was enough hormonal activity after the ovariectomy to prevent spay incontinence, and from what I've heard, there isn't.

[Xandra]

Can you have a dog's tubes tied?

[Flyinsbt]

Originally Posted by Xandra

Can you have a dog's tubes tied?

I think you can, but I wouldn't bother with it. It wouldn't stop seasons, or provide any of the health benefits of spaying, you might as well just leave the bitch intact. You'd need to keep her separate from males anyway, since they'd still tie. Not worth the surgery risk.

[crazedACD]

If only the ovaries are removed, wouldn't there still be risk of pyo? Possibly even increased risk?

[Flyinsbt]

Originally Posted by crazedACD

If only the ovaries are removed, wouldn't there still be risk of pyo? Possibly even increased risk?

No, because the bitch doesn't come into season. Pyo occurs because the bitch's body "assumes" she is pregnant after a season, and doesn't respond to foreign material in the uterus.