Bitch and queen when to spay and why? Flashcards
Belle is presented by her owner for her second vaccination.
Her owner is eager to hear what you think, as Belle is her first dog, and has received lots of conflicting advice from friends, social media and the internet at large. Particularly, she thinks there might be health benefits for Belle if she is spayed, but also doesn’t want to cause any problems. She is a bit concerned it might affect her temperament. In fact she is such a sweet dog her owner is considering whether it would be good to have one litter from her before she is spayed.
What communication skills are essential in this consultation? What are some potential problems?
Problems: sound condescending, being dismissive, missing out any complications
Communication skills: active listening, compassion, use open questions
Belle is presented by her owner for her second vaccination.
Her owner is eager to hear what you think, as Belle is her first dog, and has received lots of conflicting advice from friends, social media and the internet at large. Particularly, she thinks there might be health benefits for Belle if she is spayed, but also doesn’t want to cause any problems. She is a bit concerned it might affect her temperament. In fact she is such a sweet dog her owner is considering whether it would be good to have one litter from her before she is spayed.
If Belle has a litter, how does this relate to the unowned UK dog population?
Adopt don’t shop! There are enough unwanted animals in the UK already no need for every tom dick and random to be breeding just cause she thinks her dog is friendly. Other opinions are available.
Belle’s owner decides not to breed from her. What are the pros and cons of surgical neutering?
Pros: Will not get pregnant, no pyometra, reduce chance of mammary tumours, will not have to clean after season, prevent behavioural problems associated , live on average 25% longer, no pseudopregnancy
Cons: Increased risk for urethral sphincter mechanism incontinence, obesity, increased risk 5.7% of MCT, increased risk of hip dysplasia
1.When should you book Belle’s surgery?
For this one particular case it does not matter when it is done. Personal preference to suit owner. Will do dog no harm to have one season (spay 3 months after first season) but also no harm to have done before season. In females if you wait 3-4 months reduces risk of urinary incontinence compared to spaying before that.
Lady is presented for her second vaccination.
Lady’s owner is adamant he wants to get Lady spayed, and doesn’t want anything to do with “breeding stuff”. He is, however, very concerned about going on holiday in 3 months and wants to get her “done” first.
Why is this scenario any different to the last one?
(She is a rotty puppy)
He is adamant what he wants and there is a time limit of 3 months. This dog is only 10 weeks old and a large breed dog.
1.What are the pros and cons of spaying this bitch?
Pros: Keep customer happy (contractarianism), Will not get pregnant, no pyometra, reduce chance of mammary tumours, will not have to clean after season, prevent behavioural problems associated so less likely to bark and growl at strangers , live on average 25% longer, no pseudopregnancy
Cons: If she was spayed before a year of age 3.8x more likely to develop osteosarcoma, in rottweillers longer ovary exposure correlated with longer life expectancy (multiple problems with this study though needs repeating)
1.When should you spay this bitch?
3 months after season after 12 months of age. Dogs usually come into season between 6-9 months. Benefit of spaying significantly reduces after second season.
Her major risk osteosarcoma, cruciate disease and both of these will be of higher risk if neutered before 15 months.
What options are available for surgical sterilisation of this bitch? What would be your first, and second choices, and why?
Laparoscopic spay (ovariectomy): key hole ports so heal quicker and better recovery less invasive, short term complications and morbidity risk is far less
Midline (ovariohysteroectomy): Cheaper than lap spay, more invasive, more technically difficult (not day on skill)
Without the benefit of more studies ovariectomy should be the method of choice as there appears to be no benefit or consequences of removal of womb however ovariectomy may result in a greater chance ovarian remnant syndrome if not all removed.
Look at this?
Scenario 3: Queen and kittens
A local shelter has asked you to spay a 9 month old queen and her three (one male, two female) 8 week old kittens.
Sheba was handed in to the shelter nine weeks ago, heavily pregnant. Her owners had just realised she was pregnant and felt unable to provide for needs. Initially the cats were in foster care, but have now been returned to the shelter for rehoming. They were all vaccinated for panleucopenia, herpesvirus and calicivirus two weeks ago, and have been treated for parasites. Sheba is still lactating, but the kittens are eating solid food, behavioural weaning has started and the shelter plans to rehome them separately. They are in good health, BCS 4/9, Sheba weighs 2.3kg, and her kittens between 870 – 910g.
Why do people neuter cats?
Reduce population, prevent wandering, prevent unwanted behaviour (spraying, yowling and escaping), neutered males less likely to be hit by car, cats spayed before 6 months see 91% reduction in risk of mammary carcinoma compared to intact cats, prevent unwanted litters, neutered cats seem to show less aggression (cat dependent)
1.Why would the rescue organisation want you to neuter the kittens in this scenario, rather than wait until they are older?
A lot of complaints about animals as problems/nuisances is from cats, in 2009 RSPCA had 8000 cats come (overpopulation), in owned cats 70.5% unplanned, responsibly important to rehome spayed/castrated animals as owners are unlikely to return to get animals neutered at later date therefore owners don’t have an option to breed from cat. To be considered for neutering must be at least 8 weeks of age and over 750g (according to RSPCA)
1.What are the advantages and disadvantages of paediatric neutering to the individual kitten and surgeon?
Advantage: Less complications with regards to co-morbidites, less chance of being pregnant at time of neutering, reduces chance of getting pregnant, male kittens reduced occurrence of abscesses, sexual behaviours, urine spraying and aggression to vets both sexes reduced asthma, gingivitis and hyperactivity
Disadvantage: Increase risk of diabetes mellitus (increase 8.7) times (not to do with neutering at paediatric age though more general), obesity, locating and handling the structures, small animals lose heat quicker than larger animals, small amount of blood loss can be significant, bradycardia from anaesthetic can mean they become hypotensive easily, tissue oxygen consumption and resp rate is 2-3 times higher in these patients, thermoregulation poorer, reduced drug metabolism and reduced clearance therefore increased effects of drugs, more prone to dehydration due to reduced ability to concentrate urine. Can increase shyness and hiding.
Young kittens undergoing general anaesthesia and surgery are particularly vulnerable to physiological changes. What are the main risks and how will your perioperative management help prevent them from being a problem?
Hypothermia (heated table, hot hands, socks, bubble wrap, use small amounts of appropriate surgical spirit, reduce surgery times), poor drug metabolism (dose on BSA, closely monitor throughout procedure), dehydration (ensure health and appetite/fluid intake normal before surgery, do not withhold water for more than an hour before surgery), hypoglycaemia (don’t withhold food for as long before procedure), tissue oxygen consumption higher (use T piece), CV depression (return to littermates on recovery post op to reduce stress and hypothermia)
Discuss an anaesthesia protocol that has been developed for neutering young kittens. Why has this been developed and are there alternatives?
Kitten quad.
Medetomidine (1mg/ml)
Ketamine (100mg/ml)
Buprenorphine (300ug/ml)
Midazolam 10mg/2ml).
Instead of Bup can use methadone at 10mg/ml).
The dosing regime is based on BSA calculations. E.g a 2kg kitten requires 0.1ml of each drug = total volume 0.4mls by IM injection into the quadriceps.
1.What about analgesia?
Meloxicam (0.3mgs/kg). The quad also has multi-modal analgesia.
Look at this?
What is the quad protocol?
Discuss midline versus flank approach with regards to pain?
Discuss midline versus flank approach and wound complications?
