Canine Ovariohysterectomy

A Procedure Description
By Julie Welebir

Figure I: Canine Ovariohysterectomy Procedure

What is Canine Ovariohysterectomy?

With much of American’s owning pets today, ovariohysterectomy has become a

pretty routine surgical procedure for both dogs and cats. Ovariohysterectomy is also
known as “spaying” and is the complete removal of the female reproductive tract. It is
done to prevent a female dog from becoming impregnated, essentially sterilizing them.
This procedure is equivalent to the neutering procedure in male dogs and is mandatory,
by law, if adopting from a shelter.

In this surgical procedure there are multiple steps involved, starting with the use
of anesthesia and ending with the stitching of the incision. Anesthesia is done first and
foremost to provide the animal with comfort during the surgery itself and without it the
animal would be in a large amount of pain. The procedure involves the removal of the
ovaries, oviducts, uterine horns, and uterus. The surgery also removes the source of
progesterone and estrogen that would normally be produced in the body and play an
important role in maintaining pregnancy.

In addition to preventing dogs from becoming pregnant, the procedure prevents

dogs from going into heat, from getting breast cancer, and from getting uterine
infections later in life (known as pyometra). Overall, this procedure can save a female
 pet’s life and can prevent the number of homeless dogs from increasing. Millions of
dogs are euthanized each year because they are strays and this procedure decreases
this problem significantly.

What are the Components of the Female Canine Reproductive Tract?

There are many components of the canine reproductive tract and each has a
specific function in the reproduction process. Overall, the components of the female
canine reproductive tract are quite similar to the reproductive tract in the human
female.

Figure 2: Female Canine Reproductive Tract

a) Ovaries: The beginning of the female reproductive tract, where the ova (eggs) and
many of the hormones responsible for induction of heat cycles and maintenance of
pregnancy are produced. When a female puppy is born, every egg that will ever be
released by her ovaries is already present.
 b) Oviducts: The area of the tract composed of tiny tubes that run between the ovaries
and the uterine horns. This is the location where fertilization occurs (uniting of the
sperm and egg) to form a mature egg.

c) Uterine Horns: Muscular section of the uterus between the uterine body and
oviducts. These can vary greatly in length and diameter from dog to dog, but
generally increase in diameter during pregnancy and increase in thickness during
heat. Most puppies will develop within the uterine horns during pregnancy.

d) Cervix: Where the uterus ends in the female dog, leading into the vagina.

e) Vagina: Fibromuscular tubular tract that leads from the interior of the female dog’s
reproductive tract to the exterior of the body.

What does the Procedure Involve?

Pre-surgical:

The surgical procedure can vary slightly from veterinarian to veterinarian

but in general has most aspects in common. The procedure is preceded by a
complete physical examination, a blood test for a pre-anesthetic, a small
sedative to calm the dog prior to general anesthesia, and finally the actual
general anesthesia. All of these steps are critical before the surgical procedure
itself can be performed.

After these precautions are taken, the dog is hooked up to a monitor and
the vital signs are checked. If all readings (such as heart rate and blood pressure)
are normal, then the surgical procedure is ready to be preformed.

Surgical:
Application of Betadine Surgical Scrub:
The surgery begins with the addition of a scrub containing betadine (a
topical antiseptic containing the chemical povidone-iodine). This
scrub is somewhat sudsy like soap and has the power to kill bacteria
and viruses. The solution is added to the area of the skin where the
incision will take place in order to prevent any form of infection
during the surgical procedure. This preparation is very important in
 preventing serious complications caused by infection during and after
the surgery.

Figure 3: Scrubbing for surgery.

Incisions:
Throughout the surgical procedure multiple incisions are needed beyond
the outer skin layer. The initial incision is about 3-5 inches in length and is
made near the umbilicus (navel or belly button in humans), in the vertical
direction of the tail.

Figure 4: First incision

The second incision made is in the tissue directly underneath the skin,
known as the subcutaneous layer which consists of mainly fat and smaller
blood vessels. The smaller blood vessels will bleed but should stop after a
few minutes. If they do not stop within this time, they are sometimes
clamped or cauterized (closed off through use of extreme heat).
 Figure 5: Secondary incision

The last incision that needs to be made before reaching the internal area
of the abdomen is known as the linea alba (a layer of muscle located in
the center of the abdomen which is covered by a tough layer of tissue).
The proper suturing of this layer is critical in order to hold the diaphragm
together and prevent formation of hernias. Forceps are used to hold the
tissue up and a scalpel is used to make the incision.

Figure 6: Third incision

A scissors will often times be used in order to lengthen the incision in the
linea alba, but must be used with care in order to prevent puncturing any
internal organs like the bladder.
 Figure 7: Scissors use

Locating the Uterus and Ovaries:

After making all necessary incisions, the uterus needs to be located
within the abdomen for removal. In many cases a tool known as a spay
hook is used to dig underneath abdominal organs and pull out one of the
uterine horns. This horn is then used to locate the ovaries and eventually
gently pull those through the small incision as well. (The entire procedure
is repeated for each ovary, one at a time)

Figure 8: Location of the uterus and ovaries (The arrow shows the ovary)

Applying the Clamps:

Clamps are then used cut off most of the blood supply to the ovary and
prevent hemorrhaging. The clamps will make it easier to insert a suture
and will stop the flow of the blood from the abdomen to the ovary.
Usually three clamps are used with the first being place to the left of the
ovary, the second above the first, and the third to the right of the ovary.
All of the tissue that lies to the right of the second clamp will be cut off
and removed during the surgical procedure (shown by the arrow).
 Figure 9: Clamping off tissue

Removing the Tissue and Suturing:

After preparing the tissue for removal through use of clamps, the tissue
located directly within the second and third clamp is removed through
use of the surgical scissors. This removal of the tissue includes the
removal of the third clamp.

Figure 10: Removal of third clamp

Two sutures are then placed underneath each ovary to replace the
clamps. The surgeon can then use the still attached ovaries to locate the
cervix and gently slide it out of the abdomen through the same incision.

Figure 11: Ovaries still attached

 After the cervix and remaining body of the uterus has been located,
clamps can be placed at the base of the cervix. The clamped off area,
containing the uterine body and the two ovaries, is cut away through use
of a scalpel. Stitches are then inserted under the clamped off area, as
they were in the case of the ovaries. After the sutures are in place, the
clamps are able to be removed and the cervix is placed back into the
abdominal cavity.

Figure 12: Clamping off the Cervix

Suturing of the Initial Incisions:

The first tissue layer to be sutured is the linea alba. As stated previously,
this suturing is very important and needs to be done in a careful manner.
Strong and secure suture material, such as stainless steel, must be used
in order to ensure minimal tissue damage.

Figure 13: Suturing of the Linea alba

The next tissue layer that is closed up is the subcutaneous layer (tissue
immediately under the outer skin layer). This layer is not as muscular as
the linea alba but should still be sutured with care. In addition, the suture
material used is much different than the stainless steel in the sense that
it dissolved over a period of a few months.
 Figure 14: Suturing of the subcutaneous layer

The final layer to be sutured is the outer skin layer. Sutures can be placed
on the outside and removed within seven to ten weeks or can be placed
under the skin and will dissolve on their own. Finally, a pain injection is
dispensed in order to relax the dog after waking and allow the healing
process to begin immediately.

Figure 15: Suturing of the outer skin layer

Post-surgical:

Many dogs are either released the same afternoon as the surgery or the
day after the surgery. Due to the pain injection given immediately following the
procedure, the dog may be slightly disoriented when she returns home and may
not have much of an appetite because of the anesthesia. Therefore, only a small
amount of food or water is offered about an hour after returning home from the
hospital. Some dogs will be hungrier than others and more food will be given.
Dogs that have undergone this surgery should not be extremely active outdoors
for a few days or until the outer incision wound has healed.

Though these post-operative instructions seem limiting and severe, it

would be much more debilitating, not to mention devastating, if the dog were to
develop cancer or extremely painful uterine infections later on in life. In
addition, this procedure prevents more dogs without a home from becoming
pregnant and giving birth to more stray puppies. The procedure saves lives by
preventing dogs from ending up in overcrowded shelters and from reaching an
extremely upsetting fate.
Information Sources:

1) Major Source: "Canine Spay." Long Beach Animal Hospital. Web. 29 Mar. 2010.

<http://www.lbah.com/canine/spay.html>.

2) "Spaying - Procedure & Recovery - Animalhealthchannel." Animalhealthchannel, Your

Animal Health Community - Developed by Veterinarians - Animalhealthchannel. Web. 29

Mar. 2010. <http://www.animalhealthchannel.com/spay/procedure.shtml>.

3) "Spaying (Ovariohysterectomy) Female Dogs." Dog, Cat, and Pet Care Tips, Health

and Behavior Information by Veterinarians. Web. 29 Mar. 2010.

<http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2112&aid=926>.

4) "ACVS - Ovariohysterectomy." American College of Veterinary Surgeons. Web. 29 Mar. 2010.

<http://www.acvs.org/AnimalOwners/HealthConditions/SmallAnimalTopics/Ovariohysterec

tomy

Image Sources:

Figure 1: "ACVS - Ovariohysterectomy." American College of Veterinary Surgeons. Web. 29 Mar. 2010.

<http://www.acvs.org/AnimalOwners/HealthConditions/SmallAnimalTopics/Ovariohysterectomy

Figure 2: "Spaying (Ovariohysterectomy) Female Dogs." Dog, Cat, and Pet Care Tips, Health and

Behavior Information by Veterinarians. Web. 29 Mar. 2010.

<http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2112&aid=926>.

Figures 3-15: "Canine Spay." Long Beach Animal Hospital. Web. 29 Mar. 2010.

<http://www.lbah.com/canine/spay.html>.