Female dogs used for breeding or left intact for other reasons are at risk of developing reproductive issues, including cancer, infections, unwanted pregnancy, or problems giving birth. Our Aloha Veterinary Hospital team recommends spay surgery for female dogs, which can significantly reduce or eliminate the health risks associated with female hormones. Our hospital performs spay surgery using several techniques, including a minimally invasive option. Here are the potential reproductive problems intact female dogs can develop and how spay surgery can prevent or treat reproductive disease.
Pyometra in dogs
Pyometra is an infection in a dog’s uterus that occurs shortly after a heat cycle. The uterine lining thickens in preparation for pregnancy, which creates an ideal environment for bacteria to flourish. Bacteria can ascend through the vagina from the urinary or intestinal tracts and invade the uterus, causing it to fill with pus. The distended uterus leaks toxins and bacteria into the abdomen, causing fever, vomiting, lethargy, poor appetite, and sometimes vaginal discharge.
Veterinarians diagnose pyometra based on clinical signs, blood work, X-rays, and ultrasound. Most affected pets require hospitalization for stabilization, followed by emergency surgery to remove the infected uterus. Without surgery, pyometra is often deadly. Medical treatments are possible for valuable breeding animals, but they are risky and pyometra can recur.
False pregnancy in dogs
False pregnancy is another condition that can occur several weeks after a heat cycle in dogs. The condition is caused by a rapid decline in progesterone levels, which also can occur after a spay surgery in some cases. False pregnancy causes hormonal changes that make the female dog think, feel, and act as if she’s had puppies. She may nest and nurture objects, her mammary glands may enlarge, and she also may produce milk. If your pet shows signs of false pregnancy, your veterinarian may recommend tests to rule out a true pregnancy. Signs resolve without treatment in two to three weeks.
Mammary tumors in dogs
Mammary gland tumors account for 42% of all tumors in female dogs and around half of them are cancerous (i.e., malignant). Of the dogs who develop malignant tumors, 50% to 75% will pass away from cancer spread (i.e., metastasis) in one to two years. Veterinarians diagnose mammary tumors by identifying a lump in the mammary region and taking a biopsy to determine the tumor’s type, stage, and predicted behavior. In some cases, surgical removal is curative. Radiation and chemotherapy also may be used to shrink tumors and slow their spread.
Dystocia in dogs
Dystocia is the term for a difficult birth in dogs, which can occur because of a problem with the mother or the puppies. Overall, dystocia occurs in about 5% of births, but this number is significantly higher for certain breeds with large heads and narrow pelvises, such as bulldogs, pugs, and Chihuahuas. Dystocia is diagnosed when birthing is delayed or prolonged, or when a puppy is malpositioned. Your veterinarian may take blood and check X-rays or an ultrasound to get more information and determine how to treat the problem. Ultimately, a Caesarean section may be required.
The role of spay surgery in canine reproductive health
Spay surgery performed before a dog’s first or second heat cycle can significantly reduce or eliminate the risk of the pet developing reproductive disease. Without hormones or a reproductive cycle, a pet cannot get pregnant or develop pyometra, false pregnancy, or dystocia. The risk for mammary tumors decreases to 0.5% when a pet is spayed before her first heat cycle and to 8% when spayed after her first but before her second heat cycle. However, the risk jumps to 26% after her second heat cycle. This risk is much higher than that of human women facing breast cancer, which is around 13%.
The traditional spay surgery involves removing the ovaries and uterus through an incision below the belly button. Recovery takes about 10 to 14 days, and dogs undergoing this procedure can feel pain or discomfort for several days afterward because of the way their organs and tissue are manipulated during surgery. Excessive bleeding and infection are possible complications. Traditional surgery is a good option for small- and toy-breed dogs.
For dogs large enough to accommodate the specialized instruments, our hospital recommends the LOVE spay procedure, which stands for laparoscopic ovariectomy. We create two to three small incisions to insert a camera and instruments into the abdomen, locate the ovaries, and remove them gently and with little bleeding because of the electrocautery process we use. The uterus is left behind because removing it is not necessary once the ovaries are gone. Because the procedure causes less trauma and involves smaller incisions, dogs wake up in significantly less pain, recover faster, and experience fewer complications.
Veterinarians recommend spay surgery for young female dogs because the procedure can prevent potentially deadly health conditions and add years to their lives. The minimally invasive LOVE spay offered by Aloha Veterinary Hospital provides the benefits of spay surgery without the prolonged recovery or complications. Contact us to learn more about laparoscopic surgery or to schedule a consultation with our team.
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