Pet neutering Flashcards
when should bitches be spayed?
- during anoestrus (avoid seasons)
- typically at 6 months (before first season) or 3 months after season
- avoids false pregnancy
- reduces risk of mammary cancer the earlier spayed
when should dogs be castrated?
- typically at 6-9 months
- common to wait longer in larger breeds (allows to mature)
when should cats be spayed?
- typically at 4-6 months, before season
- but can spay any time after that
when should cats be castrated?
- from 4-6 months old provided testicles are big enough
indications to spay
- population control
- prevention of pyometra (infection of uterus)
- prevention of mammary cancer
- ## prevention of false pregnancy
indications to castrate
- population control (key for cats)
- behaviour modification (key for dogs)
- prevention of testicular cancer, prostatic disease
- prevents for spraying and smelling in cats
possible long term risks of spaying
- weight gain (reduced calorie diet)
rare: - coat change
- urinary incontinence
possible long term risks of castration
- weight gain (due to increased appetite and decreased roaming activity)
- reduced calorie diet
rare:
- reduced calorie diet
- coat change
- behavioural- nervous dogs= worse
spay techniques
- surgery (ovariectomy or ovariohysterectomy)
- midline laparotomy/laparoscopically
- medical possible (delvosteron) but temporary and uncommon
laparoscopic spay
- ovariectomy only preformed
- costly due to expensive equipment
- quicker healing due to smaller incisions
preparation for bitch spay
- dorsal recumbency, head usually to surgeons left
clipping: include umbilicus to pubis, approx 2/3 width of animal
instruments for spay
- standard soft tissue kit plus 3 large artery forceps
- some vets like spay hook
preparation for cat spay
- flank approach most common
- right lateral recumbency
- hindlimbs often tied back but check with surgeon
clipping: uterus smaller so smaller incision site
complications of spay surgery
- haemorrhage
- ovarian remnant syndrome
- urinary tract injury
- wound infection
- stump granuloma/pyometra (infection around stump)
key areas of monitoring post spay surgery
- signs of internal haemorrhage (dropping BP, pale MM, lethargy)
- problems with wound (oozing, swelling)
- ensure no patient interference with wound
post op care plan for spay
- opioid and NSAID injections on day of op, send oral NSAID home
- prevent patient interference
- keep quiet for 10 days
- bland diet post GA then back to normal (reduced diet long term)
- post op checks 2-3 days then 10 days
castration techniques
surgical- orchiectomy (removal or testicles) or vasectomy
medical- use of suprelorin implant
surgical technique of castration
- usually pre-scrotal incision in dogs, scrotal in cats
- scrotal ablation is an option but uncommon (if scrotum is damaged/diseased)
open castration
vaginal tunic incised
closed castration
vaginal tunic left intact
preparation for dog castrate
- pre-scrotal midline approach
- dorsal recumbency
- check both testicles are present
clipping: area between tip of penis and scrotum with space on side - local anaesthetic sometimes used
preparation for cat castrate
- scrotal approach
- lateral recumbency
- check both testicles present
clipping: just scrotum and immediate surrounding area - local anaesthetic sometimes used
cryptorchid castration
- testicles usually descended by 30-40 days
- if they aren’t descended by 6 months, surgical removal is advised due to increased risk of neoplasia
- can be pre-scrotal, inguinal or abdominal (ex lap needed for abdom)
surgical castration complications
- scrotal bruising/swelling
- haemorrhage
- infection
- self trauma
