Tag Archives: spay

Spay/Neuter Post-Operation Care
Posted on by

Many people want to know ahead of time what to expect after a spay or neuter procedure.  These are some post-op instructions.

  • Plan to restrict movement – no jumping, running, or rough-housing for at least 5 days after the surgery.  Neuters tend to recover faster than spays.
  • Check the incision daily.  If you notice any discharge, an increase in swelling, a large amount of bleeding, extreme pain, or heat and inflammation at the incision, call your veterinarian or drop by for them to inspect it.
  • If there are any external sutures or staples, you need to return to the vet in 7-10 days to have these removed.  Not all incisions have external sutures or staples, but most veterinarians like to do  a recheck of the incision 7-10 days later, anyway, so plan to go back.
  • You may receive medications when your pet is discharged to you.  Make sure you understand the directions before you leave the office and ask when to start them.

Any other questions?  Ask your veterinarian before or after the procedure.

Mammary Cancer
Posted on by

There is a relationship between spaying and prevention of mammary cancer in both the canine and feline population.

In an un-spayed (intact) female dog, 50% of tumors developed are mammary gland tumors. If a female dog is spayed before her first heat, she only has a 0.5% chance of developing mammary cancer. After the first heat, this risk increases to 8%.  Once a female reaches her third heat, she has a one-in-four chance (26%) of developing mammary cancer.  Spaying after the second heat does not appear to decrease the risk of mammary cancer, but may alleviate malignancy if mammary cancer does develop1.

Similar relationships are seen in cats, with those spayed before 6 months of age having a 9% risk and those spayed between 6-12 months having a 14% risk 2.

Here are some excellent links that summarize the relationship between mammary cancer and spay: