Even when considering getting a female dog, you may wonder whether to have your furry friend spayed. Many factors come into play when making this decision. Additionally, there are different surgical options, each leading to different healing processes. It’s important to discuss the necessity, timing, and potential side effects with your veterinarian.

What is the Difference Between Spaying and Sterilization?

The terms spaying and sterilization are often misused. According to common but incorrect belief, spaying is done in males (neutering), while sterilization is done in females. In reality, they are two different procedures, and both can be performed by veterinarians on both male and female animals.

Spaying refers to the removal of the testicles in males or the ovaries in females. During this procedure, it is also possible to remove the uterus, although this is usually only done if there are abnormalities or the dog is experiencing symptoms. Sterilization, on the other hand, involves leaving the ovaries intact in females and the testicles in males, with only the fallopian tubes and vas deferens being interrupted. After sterilization, the animals are also infertile, but their reproductive organs remain intact. Unlike spaying, sterilization does not affect hormone production.

Which is Better: Spaying or Sterilization in Female Dogs?

Spaying prevents various diseases. For example, the likelihood of your female dog developing breast cancer decreases. Additionally, the procedure reduces the risk of uterine infections. This applies even if only the ovaries are removed since uterine infections are often related to hormones. Other uterine conditions such as tumors, as well as the risk of diabetes later in life, are also less common. And your female dog will no longer go into heat after being spayed, which many owners of female dogs will surely appreciate.

With heat cycles, pseudopregnancies also disappear. Every female dog experiences them. It’s a completely normal phenomenon caused by hormones. However, the extent varies from one dog to another. Some dogs hardly show any signs, while others exhibit significant behavioral changes such as loss of appetite, apathy, or even aggressive defense of toys.

Sterilization does not change sexual behavior. The body continues to produce sex hormones, leading to regular heat cycles. Similarly, the risks of mammary tumors and uterine diseases remain. Therefore, spaying offers more health benefits than sterilization.

Why Are Female Dogs Spayed?

In general, there is no necessity to spay a healthy female dog. This is even emphasized in Section 6 of the Animal Welfare Act. In the United States, it is illegal to remove healthy organs from animals solely to prevent potential future illnesses. A purely prophylactic spaying is therefore not possible. Spaying always requires the indication of a veterinarian. If you have your female dog spayed without such indication, you are committing an offense.

Spaying is undisputed in cases of medical necessity.

Severe to life-threatening conditions that necessitate spaying include:

Preventing pregnancy is perhaps the most common reason for spaying. After spaying, you can keep female dogs and male dogs together without the risk of pregnancy. This is especially important for working dogs such as hunting and guard dogs or dogs from shelters. If you only have female dogs that do not serve as working dogs, you should reconsider spaying. In essence, you are also removing an organ without medical necessity, which is why spaying as a prophylactic contraception method also generates controversial discussions.

A third motivation for spaying is the behavior of the female dog. Some dog owners hope to address behavioral issues through the procedure. However, this only works if these issues are actually related to sexual hormones. For example, if your female dog exhibits noticeably stressed or aggressive behavior exclusively during her heat cycle or a false pregnancy, spaying may help.

If your female dog’s undesirable behavior has nothing to do with hormones, spaying not only provides no relief but may also exacerbate dominance, restlessness, and territorial behavior. In addition to hormones, socialization and training have a significant influence on behavior. Address these factors before considering spaying.

In general, you should always discuss your reasons for spaying with your veterinarian beforehand. During these discussions, you carefully weigh whether spaying is reasonable and justified.

How Does Spaying a Female Dog Work?

Spaying involves either an ovariohysterectomy, where only the ovaries are removed, or an ovariectomy, where the veterinarian also removes the uterus. In both cases, the reproductive organs are irreversibly removed. Your female dog will be under general anesthesia for the surgical procedure. Therefore, she should not eat anything for twelve hours before the surgery.

First, the surgical area is shaved and cleaned. Then, the veterinarian opens the abdominal cavity and moves the uterus and ovaries aside. Now, they can tie off and remove the ovaries. Then, either the uterus is also removed, or it is returned to its correct position. Once this is done, the surgeon must close the dog’s abdominal wall. This is done in several layers.

The internal stitches are made with self-dissolving threads. The external stitches consist of normal threads that can be removed about ten days after the surgery. The entire procedure takes approximately 30 to 40 minutes.

The female dog is immediately infertile after the operation. This is not the case for male dogs. Fertile sperm can survive for some time, so you should keep male dogs away from females in heat for about two to three weeks.

In addition to surgical spaying, there is chemical spaying. Here, your female dog either receives tablets from you or injections from the veterinarian every four to six months. Alternatively, the veterinarian implants a chip under the skin. Since this approach comes with unwanted side effects, it should only be used to bridge short periods.

When Should You Spay Your Female Dog?

In principle, you can spay your female dog at any age. However, there are times that are better suited than others. The older the dog, the more risks the surgery entails. But spaying too early restricts the physical and mental development of your pet. Often, female dogs retain their puppy-like behavior. Additionally, the risk of joint and bone diseases increases because the growth phase is prolonged, and growth plates close later. Cruciate ligament tears statistically occur more often than in unspayed female dogs.

It is best to wait until the completion of sexual maturity. This means your female dog should have experienced at least one heat cycle. Depending on the breed, this occurs between six months and one year of age. If spaying occurs at a young age after the first heat cycle, the risk of mammary tumors decreases. And it increases the longer you wait. The period between heat cycles is usually considered ideal. The lowest risk of surgery occurs during the hormonal resting phase. Naturally, medical emergencies requiring immediate surgery are exceptions. It is best to consult with your veterinarian to determine the appropriate time for spaying your female dog.

What to Consider After Spaying Your Female Dog – The Healing Process

After the operation, your female dog will remain under veterinary supervision until the anesthesia wears off and she can walk independently again. The duration depends on the individual dog. A few hours are not uncommon. Eventually, your dog can go home with you. There, you need to take care of postoperative care. Typically, your female dog will receive pain medication for the first few days. You should wait until the next feeding until the afternoon of the following day to avoid possible post-anesthesia effects such as vomiting. However, your female dog should always have enough water.

Overall, you should rest your female dog for about two weeks after spaying to ensure the wound heals well. This means restricting movement to a minimum. Apart from short, calm leash walks – about three times a day for ten to 15 minutes each – the dog should stay indoors and not engage in vigorous play. Avoid contact with other dogs as well as climbing stairs or jumping up or down from the sofa or similar. In general, there should be no tension on the spay incision of the female dog!

Wearing a Protective Body

The belief that animals will keep their wounds clean by licking persists to this day. In reality, the opposite is true. The oral cavity contains countless germs. When the dog licks the incision, it prevents tissue from healing together. Instead, bacteria from the oral cavity enter the wound and spread throughout the body unhindered. This can delay the healing process, and in the worst case, further surgeries may be necessary, or sepsis may occur.

The urge to lick becomes particularly strong when healing begins after a few days, and the wound begins to itch. To prevent licking, the female dog should wear an Elizabethan collar or a dog sweater or bodysuit. The bodysuit is the more comfortable option for the dog because it provides full-body protection without restricting movement. Additionally, it keeps the female dog warm at the shaved site and keeps the wound dry.

The duration the female dog needs to wear the bodysuit depends on the wound and your dog’s behavior. If she has a strong urge to lick the wound, it is advisable to keep the bodysuit on until the stitches are removed and even a few days beyond that. This is the safest option because removing the stitches can cause some irritation.

Daily Wound Check

Keep a close eye on the wound. Check it daily to quickly detect any concerning changes. These may include redness, swelling, lump formation, or discharge. Consult your veterinarian immediately if you notice any of these signs. However, your veterinarian will also explain in detail what to look out for regarding the wound and healing after spaying. If no complications arise, the stitches can be removed about ten to twelve days after the surgery. After that, the spaying process is complete.

Side Effects of Spaying in Female Dogs

Spaying is a routine procedure. However, as with any surgery, complications can occur. And there are always potential risks, especially if there are pre-existing conditions or if your female dog is quite old. Therefore, it is essential to consult with your veterinarian beforehand.

Additionally, there is an increased risk of the following after spaying:

Coat changes may involve the development of increased undercoat, often referred to as puppy fur. The coat may also become difficult to manage and prone to moisture. Breeds like Cocker Spaniels, Longhaired Dachshunds, and Irish Setters are particularly affected. Some dogs may also experience flank hair loss.

Hypothyroidism can be favored by the lack of sex hormones post-spaying. If you notice weight problems, apathy, lethargy, and skin changes after spaying, these may be symptoms of decreased thyroid levels, and you should consult your veterinarian.

Weight Gain After Spaying

Weight gain is attributed to the fact that the spayed female dog requires less energy post-spaying as metabolism slows down. However, appetite increases. This combination easily leads to overweight if you continue to feed her the same dog food as before the surgery. This, in turn, often leads to joint problems. Simply reducing the normal amount of food may not solve the problem. Due to increased appetite, your female dog may beg for food more when given less to eat. Additionally, it is possible that the supply of all necessary minerals and vitamins is no longer guaranteed.

Therefore, it is advisable to purchase a calorie-reduced diet or specialized food for spayed animals. This type of food has fewer calories but provides your female dog with all the essential nutrients and also satisfies her appetite. High-quality spaying food often offers additional benefits such as reducing the risk of urinary stones, maintaining lean muscle mass through a high-quality protein composition, and protection against premature cell aging.

The female dog’s energy requirement decreases already 48 hours after spaying, while appetite increases. To ensure a smooth transition with feeding, it is advisable to start the food transition several days before spaying. Initially, mix about a quarter of the new food with the old one and gradually increase the amount. A gradual transition usually works better than a sudden one.

The Female Dog Pees in the House After Spaying

The most common complication after spaying is urinary incontinence. This can occur immediately after the surgery, but it can also manifest several years later. Generally, larger dogs weighing over 20 kilograms seem to be more affected than smaller breeds. Breeds such as Boxers, Rottweilers, Giant Schnauzers, and Old English Sheepdogs are often observed to have a higher incidence.

Incontinence is caused by an incomplete closure of the urethra. Affected dogs typically lose small amounts of urine while sleeping. Sometimes, urinary dribbling can also occur while awake. The lack of estrogen leads to weakening of the connective tissue and muscles, resulting in relaxation of the bladder sphincter.

The most common medications prescribed by veterinarians for incontinence are called sympathomimetics. These drugs stimulate a specific part of the nervous system, leading to better closure of the urethra. The muscles surrounding the urethra are stimulated. The active ingredients Ephedrine and Phenylpropanolamine are most commonly used in treatment. They are well-tolerated and can usually be used lifelong. If your female dog does not respond to these medications, a combination with an estrogen preparation is possible. However, since estrogen often comes with some side effects, this should be carefully considered in consultation with your veterinarian.

In general, it is advisable to try to keep the dosage of the medication as low as possible for long-term therapy.

Does Spaying Cause Behavioral Changes in Female Dogs?

While some dog owners worry about behavioral changes in their pets after spaying, others look forward to it. The question of whether spaying causes a change in behavior in female dogs cannot be answered definitively. It depends entirely on the dog and its personality before spaying. This is influenced by socialization, training, and partly by hereditary predispositions.

In many cases, spayed female dogs become calmer and more balanced after the surgery.

However, it is also possible for certain behavioral traits to intensify. Animals that were already somewhat fearful before spaying may become even more cautious. Especially if your dog tends towards food or fear aggression, aggressive behavior may intensify. In general, spaying tends to worsen behaviors controlled by cortisol, the stress hormone, as sex hormones act as antagonists to cortisol – but now these sex hormones are missing. However, it is never possible to predict exactly whether and to what extent there will be a change in behavior after spaying in a female dog. Therefore, you should discuss your concerns with the veterinarian beforehand.

Endoscopic Spaying in Female Dogs

An alternative to the common surgical spaying is endoscopic spaying. This is a minimally invasive procedure. In humans, this approach is now commonplace. In endoscopic spaying, only two to three tiny incisions, a few millimeters long, are required. Through these, the surgeon inserts a high-resolution camera, using its monitor to navigate inside the dog’s abdomen.

Using specialized tools, the surgeon then removes the dog’s ovaries. At the same time, state-of-the-art instruments close the supplying blood vessels. This significantly reduces the risk of postoperative bleeding. An endoscopic procedure can also be performed on the smallest dogs.

Due to the very small wounds, the risk of infection is reduced, and the healing process is faster than with conventional spaying. After only two to three days, the female dogs are allowed to play and romp without a leash again. Moreover, there is no pressure on organs. Instead, they can be checked simultaneously using the camera. Many female dogs are not bothered by the small wounds.

They do not feel the need to lick themselves and therefore do not necessarily need a protective collar or body suit. The pain after the surgery is much less, and there is no need for suture removal. The sutures with one or two knots at the puncture sites dissolve on their own. Thus, the trauma of the operation and the complication rate are generally lower.

The disadvantages of endoscopic spaying include the personnel and equipment costs. In the operating room, four staff members are required instead of just two. They must be appropriately trained. In addition, there is the cost of acquiring special equipment and instruments. These have their price, which also affects you. For an endoscopic spaying, you will pay more than for a conventional procedure. With endoscopy, you should expect to pay about $100 more.

If complications occur during the endoscopic operation, such as severe bleeding, the endoscopy must be discontinued, and the procedure continued in the conventional manner. This happens extremely rarely but would not be a problem in terms of procedure. The female dog is prepared for endoscopic spaying in the same way as for a conventional abdominal operation.

How much does it cost to spay a female dog?

The cost of spaying a female dog ranges from approximately $190 to $580. However, this price only includes the procedure itself. In addition, there are fees for examinations before and after the surgery, as well as for postoperative care. You also have to pay extra for pain medication. Typically, for a spaying without complications, you will spend around $400 to $800.

However, be sure to discuss this with your veterinarian beforehand to estimate costs. The actual price depends on the difficulty of the operation, the method used, the price of medications, and the size and weight of your dog.

For chemical spaying, the price is determined by the hormone preparation used and the dosage. In addition, the total costs vary depending on the duration and interval or frequency of administration of the preparations. Overall, the costs for chemical spaying are higher than for a one-time surgery.

Sterilization in a female dog incurs roughly the same costs. Both spaying and sterilization are much more complex in female dogs than in males, which is why the price for female animals is higher in both cases.