Ovariohysterectomy: Removal of the Uterus and Ovaries
Your vet will make an abdominal incision on the underside of your dog’s belly, right around or below the belly button area. The incision may be small or large. The ovaries and uterus are removed, and stitches are placed internally.
During this procedure, large blood vessels must be closed off with stitches. On the belly, stitches may be absorbable or buried under the skin, with no removal necessary. Stitches may also be placed in the skin to close the belly, and these will require removal. If skin stitches are to be removed by your vet, this will happen 10-14 days after surgery.
Following spay/neuter surgery, your pet will require time and a little extra attention to ensure their body properly heals. The following aftercare instructions provide guidelines for the next several days of your pets recovery, as well as what to expect and potential red flags.
The following guidelines will help you to determine if your pet’s recovery is normal, requires attention, or is in a state of emergency. These guidelines dont cover every potential issue, so if you have concerns that are not addressed here, please call us at 763-489-7729 or seek emergency treatment at one of these locations. Normal issues after surgery
To prevent irritating the incision, we recommend you purchase an Elizabethan collar (E-collar) to keep your pet from being able to reach the area with their mouth. These cone collars are the most effective protection against your pet causing trauma to their incision, and should be worn for 10-14 days following surgery.
If you have questions or concerns that are not addressed here, please call AHS Vet Centers at 763-489-7729. Video URL
Do not allow your pet to lick or chew their incision. Licking can lead to serious complications like the incision opening or becoming infected. This can be painful and may require follow-up visits which could result in unexpected costs.
Tips for a Healthy Recovery
Keep your dog restrained as much as possible to prevent tearing of the stitches. After the spay surgery, dogs are often drowsy because of the anesthetic. However, as the medication wears off and their energy returns, it can be difficult to prevent them from interfering with their healing. As a result, you may need to separate them from your other pets.
While your dog is healing from the surgery, you should not give them baths or let them swim in pools. The water can introduce bacteria, causing infections. Although keeping your dog from her favorite activities and friends for two weeks might feel bad, these guidelines will help ensure that your dog heals as quickly as possible.
Puppy Spay and Neuter Aftercare and Exercise
One of the procedures we are happy to provide at Animal Oasis of the Rockies is spaying. This procedure offers several health and behavioral benefits while helping to reduce the number of unwanted animals in the world. All of our spaying procedures are performed with surgical lasers to ensure optimal recovery. Although you can typically take your dog home after her surgery, it is important to follow the veterinarians instructions as she heals. If you live in or around Broomfield and are considering spaying your dog, contact our team today to speak with one of our veterinarians.