Ovary Sparing Spay and Vasectomy

In an effort to help your pet live a healthy life, we provide ovary sparing spay and vasectomy services. Choosing to spay or neuter your new pet is one of the most responsible decisions you can make as a pet owner. Newer research has called into question, however, whether sex hormones play a role in growth and wellness and whether traditional spay or neuter methods remove those hormones too early in development for some breeds. There is no denying that spay and neuter procedures help decrease the amount of animals in shelters and the number of euthanized pets each year. Given that many owners would like to avoid possible unwanted litters but also want to potentially avoid possible risks of musculoskeletal disease and cancer, hormone sparing sterilization techniques are now offered. Ovary Sparing Spay and Vasectomy are both American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) approved methods of sterilization. These procedures are not appropriate for all dogs, so it is important for our doctor to meet with you and discuss the procedure and whether it is the best fit for your pet prior to surgery. 

Why ovary sparing spay rather than leaving a female intact? The risk of pyometra (uterine infection) is a real threat in dogs and can be an acute onset life threatening condition. Ovary Sparing Spay, removes the entire uterus, including the cervix and therefore eliminates the possibility of pyometra development while allowing the female dog to remain intact hormonally. 

What does ovary sparing spaying (oss) or vasectomy involve?

Both OSS and Vasectomy are surgical procedures that prevent an animal from reproducing. Tney are typically recommended for pets that are at least 6 months old and are not going to be used for breeding. OSS is similar to a traditional spay in that there is an abdominal incision that allows the surgeon to remove the entire uterus and cervix while leaving the ovaries intact. This incision can be slightly longer than a regular spay to allow access to both the area of the fallopian tubes and down to the level of the cervix without promoting any structural damage to the ovaries.  Vasectomy is implemented on male animals and encompasses removing a portion of vas deferens from each spermatic cord to eliminate fertility. While each of these surgeries sound involved, they can usually be completed within a few hours and do not require an overnight hospital stay.

Your pet may experience increased discomfort in the days following surgery but pain medication often eliminates that risk. Pain medication is prescribed for the first few days post op. Additionally, some pets do not do well with exercise restriction and may require a short acting anti-anxiety medication to help them rest after their procedure. These tips should be followed to ease your pet’s recovery: 

1. Do not allow your pet to run or jump until their recheck appointment.
2. Examine the incision daily to ensure proper healing.
3. Keep your pet confined from others, and allow them to have a quiet resting place.
4. Prevent your pet from licking the surgical site by using an Elizabethan collar or similar device. Watch your pet to make certain that they cannot get around these devices as some are easier for pets to get around than others
5. Wait at least 14 days after surgery to bathe your pet. If your pet’s incision has opened or if you notice excessive swelling, redness, or discharge, contact our office immediately.

If you have further questions about the OSS and Vasectomy procedures or would like to schedule the surgery for your pet, contact our office at your convenience.