Traditional Spay Surgery vs Ovary-Sparing Spay Explained

We have been getting more and more questions about the Ovary-Sparing Spay (Hysterectomy) Surgery vs Traditional Spay Surgery (Ovariohysterectomy OHE) Surgery. Key differences between the procedures are explained below so you can make an informed decision about which surgery is best for your pet.

What’s the difference between the 2 surgeries?

• Traditional Spay Surgery – The most commonly performed and traditional method of surgery to prevent reproduction in female cats and dogs is to remove the uterus and the ovaries.  This is typically called a spay surgery.  It is typically performed with a scalpel.  We perform this surgery using a laser scalpel which cauterizes as it cuts, resulting in less bleeding, faster healing, less pain and infection.  Once this surgery is complete, heat cycles stop and females do not exhibit behavioral signs of heat (ie interest in males, arching their back, etc)
  • We recommend performing this surgery after the 1st heat cycle to reduce bone, joint and cancer risks later in life. The 1st heat cycle typically occurs between 7-1/2 months to 1 year, and lasts about 2 weeks. The heat cycle can be a little inconvenient, but we believe the benefits outweigh the 2-week inconvenience.  To optimize hormone production and minimize bone/joint/cancer risks, this surgery is recommended after 8 months to 1 year for small breeds, after 12-16 months for large breeds and after 18 months for giant breeds.

• Ovary Sparing Spay – Most hormones come from the ovaries, so some people request that the ovaries are left in place, and the uterus only is removed.  We do this surgery with a laser scalpel to minimize bleeding and speed recovery.  In the human world sometimes this surgery is performed with laparoscopy. We do not perform laparoscopic surgery. Although laparoscopic surgery is popular in the human world, and is also utilized in the veterinary world, our surgeon feels there is a lower risk of infection with laser surgery.  The cleaning and sterilization process is less complex vs the more complex laparoscopic cleaning and sterilization process. Once this surgery is complete, females still go into heat but they do not bleed. Males sense their hormones and may still try to find them, and mate with them.
  • We recommend this surgery after 4-5 months. Once this surgery is complete, it can be difficult and more expensive to go back later to do another surgery to remove the ovaries. They are tiny and sit along the back, near the kidneys. Sometimes laparoscopy is used to find the ovaries after the uterus has been removed.