Where you and your pet are family
Where you and your pet are family
What is a spay surgery for dogs?
Spaying is a surgical procedure that involves the complete removal of the ovaries and uterus - essentially a total hysterectomy. After this procedure, your dog will no longer go into heat or be able to become pregnant.
Why should you spay your dog?
There are many important reasons to spay your dog. One of the biggest is pet overpopulation. Just take a look at Animal Care & Control and Human Fort Wayne (HOPE) - you’ll see plenty of dogs and puppies in need of homes. Spaying helps ensure we’re not adding to that issue.
It’s also better for your dog’s health. Spaying significantly reduces the risk of mammary cancer, completely eliminates the risk of ovarian cancer, and prevents pyometra—a serious and potentially life-threatening infection of the uterus that often requires emergency surgery.
What are the risks of spaying your dog?
The risks associated with spaying your dog are generally minimal. One potential concern is a mild risk of infection at the incision site, but this is relatively rare and typically easy to manage.
The most common issue after spaying is weight gain. Removing the ovaries reduces estrogen levels, which slows metabolism - so dogs may gain weight more easily. Keeping an eye on their diet and activity level can help manage this.
A less common side effect is urinary incontinence, which can occur in a small percentage of female dogs as lower estrogen levels affect urethral sphincter tone. This typically happens during sleep and is usually well controlled with medication.
What age should you spay a dog?
I typically recommend spaying at around six months of age. For most family pets, this timing works well—they’ve completed their rapid growth phase, and their baby teeth should have fallen out. If any baby teeth remain, we can remove them during the spay to help prevent future dental issues like periodontal disease.
That said, the recommendation can vary for large breed dogs. In some cases, waiting until they’re closer to two years old might be worth considering. However, delaying the procedure means the uterus will be larger and more vascular, which makes surgery slightly more complex and potentially more expensive. You’ll also need to manage your dog through several heat cycles, which can be inconvenient.
Ultimately, it’s a personal decision based on your dog’s size, lifestyle, and your comfort level—and I’m here to help talk through the options with you.
What does the spay surgery include?
Before a spay surgery, we recommend pre-surgical blood work to check your dog’s blood cell counts and organ function—this helps ensure she’s a safe candidate for anesthesia and surgery.
During the procedure, we place an IV catheter to provide fluids and medications. Pain management is a top priority: your dog will receive anti-inflammatory injections, opioid pain relief, local nerve blocks (like lidocaine), and cold laser therapy to reduce discomfort and promote healing. She’ll also be kept warm on a heated water blanket throughout the surgery.
An experienced technician will monitor her anesthesia closely using multiple parameters, while the veterinarian performs the procedure in a fully sterile environment - wearing a gown and gloves, using a sterile surgical pack, and prepping your dog’s abdomen carefully.
The surgery itself involves removing both the ovaries and the uterus. Afterward, we close the incision with sutures and monitor her recovery closely. We also apply cold laser therapy to the incision to further reduce pain and support faster healing. Most dogs go home that same afternoon with effective pain medication to keep them comfortable.
What is the spay surgery recovery like?
Recovery after a spay surgery is an important phase, and a little preparation goes a long way. The first thing to focus on is protecting the incision site from licking - since bacteria from the mouth can easily lead to infection. Using an e-collar, inflatable collar, or a surgical recovery suit are all great options to prevent licking and help the area stay clean.
For the first 7 to 10 days, your pup will need to take it easy. That means no running, rough play, or jumping on and off furniture. Leash walks for potty breaks are fine, but overall we want to prioritize rest so the incision heals properly.
Keeping a young, energetic dog calm isn’t always easy, so enrichment activities can be a big help. Try giving her a frozen Kong, a lick mat, or a snuffle mat to engage her mind without straining her body. Slow, scent-driven 'sniff walks' can also help satisfy her curiosity while keeping her activity level low.
What is a neuter surgery for dogs?
Neutering is a surgical procedure that involves removing a male dog's testicles, which prevents him from being able to reproduce.
Why should you neuter your dog?
Neutering your dog offers several important benefits. One of the most significant is helping to control the pet population. With so many dogs already in need of homes, having your dog neutered is a responsible choice that helps reduce overpopulation.
There are also clear health advantages. Neutering eliminates the risk of testicular cancer and lowers the likelihood of prostate disease later in life.
In addition, many owners notice behavioral improvements. Neutered dogs often display less aggression, mark their territory less frequently, and generally make calmer, more manageable companions for families.
What are the risks of neutering your dog?
The most common risk associated with neutering is weight gain. Once the testicles are removed, testosterone levels drop, which can slow your dog’s metabolism. Fortunately, this is typically easy to manage with appropriate portion control and a healthy diet after surgery.
Another important consideration is preventing your dog from licking the incision site. Licking can introduce bacteria from the mouth and lead to infection, so using an e-collar, recovery suit, or inflatable collar during healing is key.
What age should you neuter your dog?
In most cases, I recommend neutering your dog by six months of age. This timing helps ensure they receive the full range of health benefits and can also reduce unwanted behaviors, such as urine marking, that often begin around this age.
However, for large and giant breeds, it may be worth considering a later neuter—around 18 to 24 months—depending on individual growth and health factors. This decision should be made in consultation with your veterinarian, who can help determine the best timing for your specific dog.
What does the neuter surgery include?
During a neuter surgery, we take multiple steps to ensure your dog’s safety and comfort. An IV catheter is placed to deliver fluids and medications, and your dog is placed under anesthesia while a dedicated technician monitors them closely throughout the procedure. They’ll also rest on a heated water blanket to maintain body temperature.
Comprehensive pain management is provided, including multiple types of medication to keep your dog as comfortable as possible. The surgery is performed under sterile conditions—the veterinarian wears a sterile gown, gloves, cap, and mask, and uses sterilized instruments and a draped surgical field.
The procedure involves removing the testicles, and once completed, we apply cold laser therapy to the surgical site to help minimize discomfort and speed healing. Most dogs are ready to go home later that same afternoon with pain medication to keep them comfortable during recovery.
What is the neuter surgery recovery like?
Recovery after a neuter surgery requires a bit of preparation, with the main priority being to prevent your dog from licking the incision site. Licking can introduce bacteria and lead to infection, so tools like an e-collar, inflatable collar, or surgical recovery suit can be very helpful in keeping the area protected.
It's also important to keep your dog calm and quiet for 7 to 10 days to allow the surgical site to heal properly. That means leash walks only for bathroom breaks, no roughhousing or jumping on and off furniture, and as much rest as possible.
To help manage their energy during this downtime, enrichment activities can go a long way. Try frozen Kongs, lick mats, snuffle mats, or long, slow sniff walks. These keep their mind stimulated without putting stress on their body during recovery.
Covington Veterinary Hospital
6104 Covington Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46804, United States
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