Ovary Sparing Spays

We are proud of offer another option other than a traditional spay. Dr. Price is well versed in educating pet owners about Ovary Sparing Spays and what that would look like for you and your pet. 

Below is more information. If you have further question please feel free to reach out to the clinic and we will be happy to get you an appointment. 

We understand that often times people seeking these surgeries are traveling from some distance. We can do your appointment to establish care, update any vaccines that we require and surgery in the same day. 

We do require an up to day Rabies, DAPP, and Bordetella to have surgery in the hospital. We can accommodate titers of these vaccines if you'd rather. Please contact the clinic to set this up. 

Dr. price is currently in the clinic and preforming this procedure most Thursdays.

What is an Ovarian Sparing Surgery?

-Removes uterus and most of cervix, if not all of it
-Hormones are maintained
-Has heat cycle but less bloody discharge (possibly not any discharge)
-Will still attract males
-Cannot become pregnant

We perform a hysterectomy, or removal of the uterus but leave at least one ovary. My preference is to leave both ovaries when I do these procedures. This can be done at almost ANY age (including very young) due to keeping the hormones and getting all the benefits of appropriate growth plate closure. Your pet gets the benefits from the hormone but this takes away the risks (sometimes life threatening) of an unwanted pregnancy. Benefits and disadvantages listed below:

Should I just leave my pet intact?

-Leaving your pet intact can be a very viable option instead of getting them spayed! This depends on your lifestyle and the risk of ever becoming accidentally pregnant. The ovarian sparing surgery takes away that risk. Along with it takes away the risk of a C section and complications (sometimes life threatening) that come with being pregnant, giving birth or post birth complications.

What about Spaying?

- Removes both ovaries entirely and sometimes the uterus and cervix
- No hormones left from ovaries
- Does NOT have a heat cycle
- Cannot become pregnant

This also may be the answer for you and your pet. Even choosing to perform a “delayed” spay (Waiting for a certain age of your pet) can be an option! Benefits of spaying them early (before their first heat cycle) include to reduce mammary cancer in dogs. Spaying them after just one heat cycle still helps to reduce the risk of mammary cancer later in life. Allowing them to get fully mature helps to improve bone density and reduces other issues, such as appropriate bone plate closure. Allowing for the hormones to close the bony growth plates at the correct time reduces the incidence of dysplasia and therefore arthritis. There are also cancers that can be reduced by waiting on spaying. See the link below.

I often direct people to this 2020 study on certain purebred dogs:
 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7359819/


What are the benefits of an Ovarian Sparing Surgery 

- Lower incidence of certain cancers such as hemangiosarcoma, osteosarcoma, and transitional cell carcinoma. This can be a larger issue based on your pet’s breed and genetic makeup.
- Lower risk of obesity (But will not make up for blatant overfeeding causing obesity!)
- Lower risk of urinary incontinence vs being spayed prior to 5 months of age (delayed spaying can reduce to eliminate this risk) - Lower incidence of cruciate injuries or ruptures
- Lower incidence of arthritis and dysplasia versus those spayed prior to 5 months of age (delayed spaying can reduce to eliminate this risk)
- Less incidence of a noise phobia 

Disadvantages of an Ovarian Sparing Surgery vs Traditional Spay (Removing Ovaries)

- Increased risk of mammary cancer if done later in life or after a few heat cycles (3).
- Increased risk of ovarian cancer (although the incidence of ovarian cancers in canine patients is very low)
- In rare cases, a pyometra can still develop. If your pet gets ill after a heat cycle, you must seek medical care asap as with any illness.
- Continued sexual behaviors