Feline Ovariohysterectomy (Spay)
Overview: Abdominal surgery in which the uterus and ovaries are completely removed.
At Camrose Animal Clinic our basic procedure is the following:
ü A thorough presurgical examination is performed, paying particular attention to heart rate, rhythm, lung sounds and overall body condition.
ü Presurgical blood tests may be performed to check the function of vital organs and the health of the cat. We recommend blood tests for all cats and may require them if your cat is older or has a known medical condition. This ensures that we can choose appropriate medications and anesthetics for your cat.
ü A presurgical injection is administered to sedate the cat, to reduce her anxiety, and to allow us to use less general anesthetic.
ü Intravenous (IV) fluids are recommended during and following surgery, to promote a faster recovery, prevent shock, and to allow us to give your cat medication injections painlessly. We recommend IV fluids for all cats and may require them if your cat is older or has a known medical condition.
ü Anesthesia is induced by inhalation through a mask. The patient is connected by the mask to the anesthetic machine, and the patient may also be connected to several monitors. The inhalant anesthetic we use is isoflurane, which is considered to be a very safe anesthetic. A pulse oximeter may be connected by a rectal probe which measures heart rate, pulse quality and blood oxygen saturation. An electrocardiograph can also be employed to monitor the patient’s heart rhythm.
ü The patient is positioned and the surgical site is clipped and scrubbed to make the area sterile.
ü The patient is transferred to the surgery room along with connected monitoring equipment.
ü The assistant continues to monitor the patient's vital signs throughout the anesthetic.
ü An incision is made on the midline of the abdomen using a scalpel.
ü The ovary is identified and surgical clamps are applied to the ovarian blood vessels. The vessels are then ligated (tied with sutures) to prevent bleeding and the pedicle is replaced into the body. This procedure is repeated for the other side.
ü The uterus and its blood vessels are ligated just above the cervix.
ü The uterus and ovaries are removed from the abdomen.
ü The abdomen is sutured closed in three layers: the abdominal wall, the subcutaneous tissue (tissue underneath the skin) and the skin itself.
ü All the stitches are placed under the skin and will dissolve on their own.
ü The cat is given an antibiotic injection as a prophylactic measure against infection. She is also given an injection for pain control, which is repeated as necessary.
Individual variations on this procedure may exist.
Please feel free to ask the veterinarian or veterinary assistant any questions you may have regarding the surgery.
How old does my cat have to be?
She must be at least 6-months-old.
I have an older cat. Can she still be spayed? Is it important to have her spayed?
Yes, she can still be spayed. Older unspayed cats may develop hormonal imbalances, ovarian and/or uterine problems, however, if these are discovered in time, they can be remedied by spaying her. The veterinarian would perform a presurgical examination on your cat and may require that blood work be done before the surgery. The veterinarian would develop an individualized anesthetic plan for your cat and she would be carefully monitored during and after anesthesia.
How long does the procedure take?
The surgery takes approximately half an hour to an hour, however, because your cat is put under general anesthetic and has had abdominal surgery, she will need to stay at the clinic overnight. We ask that she be dropped off between 8am and 9am on the day of the surgery and she will be able to go home the following morning.
What kind of care is required for my cat after surgery?
· Please restrict her activity for 10 days while the incision is healing. This means no running around outside, no playing roughly with other pets, and no jumping up onto things. It is alright for you to take her for short walks on a leash beginning tomorrow if she is trained to do so. Please carry her up and down stairs.
· Monitor the incision area for any redness, swelling, or discharge of any colour. Please call the clinic promptly if any of these are noted. Do not apply ointments of any kind to the incision.
· Do not bath her for 14 days after the surgery.
· Do not let her lick at the area, since this will delay healing. If she is licking, please come in and pick up a collar.
· Suture removal is NOT required since the sutures are all put in under the skin and will dissolve on their own.
· Vomiting is not very common after anesthesia, however, it may occur. If it occurs more than once or if you are concerned at all, please give us a call.
· She may have water as soon as she gets home and may have regular meals the day after her surgery. Do not be alarmed if she does not eat the full amount for two days following the surgery. If this continues, however, please give us a call.
· She was given post-operative pain control. If she seems to be in a lot of discomfort, please let us know and the veterinarian may prescribe continued pain control for her.
Please call the clinic 672-7800 if you have any questions or to book an appointment.