Spaying of bitches, now nearly painless!
When spaying a bitch, both ovaries, are removed also called 'ovariectomy'. The uterus remains in place but while it is not longer under influence of hormoncycles there are no more inflammations or tumors of the uterus This is stated in a report of the University of Utrecht (Okkensc.s.) After that oestrus or 'heat' and pregnancy are not possible anymore.
Until recently spaying was done by abdominal surgery with an abdominal incision of 10-20 centimeters. The vet. surgeon had to be able to inspect the inside of the abdomen and to work in it.
For spaying via endoscopy only 3 small incisions are needed, through which small tubes with few millimetres diameter (containing instruments) are brought into the abdomen. The surgeon controls the operation via the monitor. This method causes minimal discomfort for the animal and only a short anesthesia is needed.
So the animal can go home shortly after the operation.
Why spaying your dog?
Advantages of spaying of bitches (female dogs):
- No half-yearly returning periods of 3 weeks with blood-stained discharge, and problems with visits of male dogs.
- Contraceptive injections twice a year ( with disadvantages*) are not needed anymore.
- An 8 times (!) lesser chance to get mammatumours, at least when the spaying is performed at an early age.
- No chance of getting endometritis, pyometra, and ovary or uterus tumours. These problems often occur in elderly dogs, and often surgery (ovariohysterectomy) is needed. This can be complicated when the animal is already sick.
- No chance for false or pseudopregnancy. This can occur at about 4-6 weeks after oestrus. Signs: abdominal distension; mammary swelling and lactation; the bitch can refuse to eat and to go out for a walk, and may show mothering behaviour towards inanimate objects. These behavioural problems can last for several weeks, and can return after every heat. Moreover the hormonal changes can stimulate the development of mamma tumours.
Disadvantages of contraceptive injections: more chances for mamma tumours, obesity, and twice a year an injection.
N.B. A disadvantage of spaying is, that through hormonal changes, the animal gets obese easily. A well- balanced diet and lots of exercise are good for dogs and their owners!
Birth control
The times dogs and cats could breed around, and pups and kittens were often drowned or killed otherwise, lie behind us. Birth control in dogs and cats is just as normal as in humans.
Dogs
A bitch comes into heat or oestrus around twice a year. Small breeds occasionally a bit more often. Vaginal blood-stained discharge during oestrus is different from blood loss in women during menstruation/monthly periods.Women are not fertile during these periods, while bitches are. So take care and keep dogs on the lead or inside! Male dogs often come along and the bitch often runs off. Stray dogs can end up with litter. Oestrus cycles and signs in bitches will continue up to old age.Top prevent unwanted litters there are several options:
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A) |
Keep the bitch on the lead and take care! And this twice a year during 3 weeks, with annoyance by frequent visits of male dogs as well. |
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B) |
Contraceptive injections twice a year. They should be given 4 months after the start of the previous oestrus. These hormonal treatments have some disadvantages (see 'why spaying your dog?') but it is a possibility. Once you have started to use the injections it is wise to continue with them, so you should decide on this early, when the dog is still young.False or pseudopregnancy is not possible anymore, this can still occur with the contraceptive injections. |
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C) |
Surgical removal of ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus (ovario- hysterectomy) popularly called 'spaying'. The best moment to do this is 3-4 months after the oestrus. Pregnancy is not possible anymore.Advantages: no more oestrus periods, no chance for endometritis, less chance for mammatumours and diabetes. Disadvantages: surgery, but it's to overcome; furthermore a spayed animal will get obese more easily. So you should pay extra attention to this. |
Castration
Castration of male dogs, is not so effective for birth control, but can be used for control of hypersexuality, problems with the prostrate gland, and inflammation of the prepuce.In cryptorchid dogs, where one or both testicles have not descended into the scrotum, castration by means of abdominal surgery is highly recommended.
Abdominal inspections by means of endoscopy now also possible for animals.
We can perform these inspections in case of a suspicion of tumours or other malfunctions in for instance liver, kidney, intestines or pancreas. We can make pictures of the affected organs/area's and take tissue biopsies. We will forward the results to your own vet. practitioner who will discuss the outcomes with you. -We do not treat these disorders or perform abdominal surgery as we focus on Endoscopic procedures only. Endoscopic inspection of the abdomen is less of a burden to animals than traditional surgery.
It causes minimal trauma and pain, and only a simple and short anaesthesia is needed. Especially for seriously ill animals this is a mayor advantage.
