Ovary Sparing Spay and Ovariectomy

When you first become a parent to a new pet, arranging to get your pet spayed or neutered so that she/he can no longer reproduce should be an immediate priority. Not only will this help to prevent unwanted pregnancy and be a positive step towards reducing the immense overpopulation of pets living in the U.S., but there are also significant health and lifestyle benefits for your pet.Most owners only know of conventional spaying and neutering procedures, but there are alternatives that can be considered. Two of these include ovary-sparing spaying and a vasectomy.

What is Ovary Sparing Spaying?

As you may have guessed from the name, an ovary-sparing spay is a surgical veterinary procedure during which a female animal’s reproductive capabilities are removed but the ovaries are left intact. This is possible because her uterus and cervix are still removed, thus removing the possibility that she could become pregnant. In some cases, one ovary may still be removed, but this depends on the individual circumstances of your pet.

Also known as a partial spay in some places, an ovary-sparing spay is a popular choice amongst many veterinarians and owners thanks to the benefits that it offers. These include:

NO BLEEDING

There is no getting around the fact that your pet’s version of a menstrual cycle can be a messy and unpleasant business. However, when you opt for an ovary-sparing spay, there is no uterus to have a lining to shed. As such, your pet will have little to no bloody vaginal discharge during her heat cycles.

ELIMINATED RISK OF PYOMETRA

The total removal of the uterus is an important element of ovary-sparing spaying. In traditional spay procedures, there is no need to remove every bit of the uterus since it will no longer be under stimulation from the ovaries. While most cats and dogs that are spayed early in life will not experience the uterine infection pyometra, if any part of the uterus still remains, there is still a risk that your pet could develop the condition. Since an ovary-sparing spay involves the total removal of the uterus, the risk of pyometra is nil.

NO UNWANTED PREGNANCY

Of course, the biggest benefit of any sort of spaying procedure is that it prevents the possibility of unwanted pregnancy. The United States is already in the grip of a pet overpopulation crisis with countless animals in shelters and foster care across the country. Many are euthanized each year simply due to the lack of resources to care for them. By spaying your female, not only will you have to deal with the expense and effort of babies, but you will also be making a positive stand against pet overpopulation.

What is a Pet Vasectomy?

A pet vasectomy is the same as a human vasectomy in that the male animal’s reproductive capabilities are removed by snipping the tube, known as the vas deferens, that enables sperm to leave your pet’s body, but the testicles are left in place. This differs from conventional neutering/castration where the testicles are removed entirely.

The main difference that this causes for your pet is that he will still experience testosterone and all of the effects associated with the hormone. This includes potential roaming and frisky behaviors. In cats, it could include urine spraying with a distinctive odor. However, the procedure itself is also far less invasive and less painful than castration. There are also fewer complications associated with pet vasectomies than there are vet castrations.

Some of the key benefits associated with pet vasectomies include:

  • A simpler, more straightforward procedure
  • No interference in the natural production of testosterone
  • Less pain for your pet
  • A faster recovery
  • Less risk of complications

If you would like more information on the benefits of getting your pet spayed or vasectomized, or if you would like to schedule an appointment to discuss your pet’s suitability for the procedure, please get in touch with our compassionate and experienced team of veterinarians. East Roswell Veterinary Hospital in Roswell, GA is a preferred provider. Give them a call today to schedule your appointment.

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