A spay, or ovariohysterectomy, is the surgical removal of the uterus and ovaries, usually done to prevent heat cycling and unwanted pregnancies in pets. 

Upon arrival at Valley Animal Hospital, "Murphy" is given a thorough physical exam, her liver and kidney parameters are assessed, and an IV catheter is placed.  After we are sure she is in superb health, she is given a general sedative and 2 forms of pain control.  It has been shown that if pain control is given BEFORE the onset of pain, animals experience less pain than if pain medication is given after a painful stimuli.  General anesthesia is then induced, she is intubated, and is maintained on gas anesthesia.  During the entire procedure  Murphy's vital signs are monitored, including pulse, oxygenation of blood, blood pressure and body temperature. After her abdomen is shaved and prepped with a surgical disinfectant she is placed in the surgical suite on a heated surgical table.   

After Murphy has been given a final sterilization and draped, an incision is made just below her belly button into her abdomen.  After her uterus is located, it is brought up through the incision.  An ovary is found at the end of each uterine horn and brought out as well.  Sutures are tied around the blood vessels of each ovary,  they are released, and then brought completely out of the abdomen.  The uterine horns (still attached to the ovaries) are freed from their ligaments to expose the uterine body.  Sutures are placed around the uterine body and associated blood vessels, and the uterus is removed.  The abdominal wall, subcutaneous tissue and skin are sutured closed and Murphy is left with a small incision which will be virtually invisible in just a few weeks.

When the surgery is completed, Murphy's body temperature is measured.  If she is cold at all she is placed on blankets and covered.  A Bair Hugger patient warming device is used to blow warm air under the blankets to increase her body temperature.  Once she is able to stand, she is escorted to her kennel to rest a few more hours before she goes home. 

What is described above is everything we do for a basic spay.  .  We generally require preanesthetic blood testing and IV fluids because we feel that they are essential to the safety and recovery of any surgery.   The more information we have about your pet's health, the better we can tailor their anesthetic needs and assess their risks.  Intravenous catheterization and fluids give us immediate access to a vein should there be an emergency during the procedure, and fluids are important for hydration, blood pressure maintainance and quick recovery from anesthesia.