NEUTERING FEMALE DOGS At Heathlands, we advocate that female dogs that are not to be used for breeding should be neutered (spayed). There are many health benefits associated with spaying. By removing the ovaries and uterus, tumours and infections of the reproductive tract are eliminated and there is a reduced risk of breast cancer and diabetes mellitus. By spaying prior to the first heat the risk of unwanted pregnancy is avoided. However, there are drawbacks to spaying. It is a major operation that needs to be performed under full general anaesthetic. The dog’s metabolism will slow after spaying and care has to be taken that your pet does not put on weight. Some dogs, such as Spaniels and Setters, may develop a woolly coat. Because spaying is major operation, we have decided that only the very best anaesthetic and surgical protocols should be used at Heathlands. All dogs are given non-steroidal painkilling injections on admission and are given additional opiate painkillers as part of their anaesthetic pre-medications. All dogs are placed on an intravenous drip and are given fluid support throughout the surgical procedure. The anaesthesia is monitored continuously using ECG, indirect blood pressure, expired concentrations of CO2 and anaesthetic gases, blood oxygen saturation and core temperature. This level of anaesthetic monitoring is similar to that found in most human hospitals. Inhaled nitrous oxide is commonly used during the procedure to provide yet more pain relief. Sutures and ligatures are normally made with expensive, modern synthetic suture materials that cause much less tissue reaction. We provide free-post-operative checks at 3 days and 10 days and will perform a weight check two months after the procedure. When this level of care is brought to the surgery, we find that bitches recover very quickly from the surgery. Most dogs can return home on the day of the operation. However, if your pet is of a giant breed or is fat, we recommend that they stay in for monitoring overnight, as these dogs are more at risk of post-operative bleeding. Because we bring a higher standard to the procedure than is commonly the case, we would hope that you and your pet will find the procedure safe, stress-free and painless. However, it is the case that you could probably find the procedure performed more cheaply elsewhere. At Heathlands, we think any extra cost is a modest price to pay to best ensure the safety of your much-loved pet. THE DAY OF THE OPERATION With-hold food from bedtime the night before, but give your pet access to water until you leave for Heathlands. In the morning, give your dog a short walk to empty her bladder and bowels but do try to keep her coat clean and dry. If the coat becomes very wet or dirty, this may require the operation to be postponed. A nurse will admit your pet and go through the admission form with you. If you require any further procedures to be done under anaesthesia, please make sure this is clearly written on the admissions form. Normally, your pet will be ready to go home from 4.00pm. STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE - BITCH SPAY · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Post operative checks are to be made at 3 days and 10 days post-opAll patients are to be checked that catheters have been removed prior to dischargeAll giant breeds, any cases that have complications associated with surgery and any dogs experiencing a delayed recovery from anaesthesia are to be kept overnight for observation.Any patient in pain post-op is to be given i/v morphine by 0.1mg/Kg boluses titrated as requiredAll wounds are to be covered post-op with a Sanipore dressingAll sutures are to be placed using swedged-on needlesNitrous oxide is to be used at 50:50 in the inhaled maintenance gas mix.Minimum anaesthetic monitoring will include 3 lead ECG, indirect blood pressure, capnography and oesophageal thermometerAll bitch spays will have an intravenous catheter placed and intravenous crystalloids will be given at 10ml/Kg/hour during anaesthesiaSupplementary heat sources will be used during anaesthesiaAll premeds should include an opiate – either morphine at 0.5mg/Kg or buprenorphine at 1ml/15 Kg bodyweightAll patients should be given an injection of Meloxicam painkiller on admissionBitches should be spayed prior to their first heat except in the case of Weimeraners, Rottweillers, Dobermans, Irish Setters and Old English Sheepdogs that are prone to sphincter mechanism incompetence.Neutering of bitches should be recommended at the first developmental check at 5 months of age. All bitch spays are major procedures and are performed in the operating theatre with a trained nurse anaesthetist in attendance. | 
