Different Ways To Spay a Puppy

Spaying refers to the removal of a female dog's ovaries and/or uterus to prevent her from having puppies and her menstrual cycle. In most cases, the veterinarian performs a surgery called, an ovario-hysterectomy. There is also one non-surgical method for keeping your dog from getting pregnant. This is through the use of birth control. The various spaying techniques which consist of surgery are normal spaying, complete spaying, incomplete spaying, and laser surgery.

Normal spaying includes the complete removal of the puppy's ovaries. The dog is under anesthesia during the procedure. Every part of the ovary must be completely removed or else the dog will still get her heat periods occasionally. Today, this is not a very common method of spaying because most owners do not want to deal with their dog's heat periods.

Complete spaying, or traditional spaying, is the most common form of spaying done today. During a complete spaying, an incision is made under her belly and both the ovaries and uterus are taken out completely. The wound is then closed with stitches which can be taken out about a week or so after surgery. The dog must be under anesthesia during surgery. With this type of surgery, the dog is immune from other female infections as she gets older.

Lastly, a relatively new way of spaying dogs is using laser technology. It is the same procedure and has the same affects as complete/traditional spaying. However, due to it being new, only some vets offer this method to their patients. Similar to complete spaying, the dog is put under anesthesia before surgery. The difference is that instead of using a scalpel to detach the puppy's reproductive organs, the vet uses a laser. This method of spaying is less painful for the dog, yet it takes longer to completely recover. The laser method is also more expensive than the other ones.

There is also a non-surgical way of spaying your dog using birth control pills. Fertilization in female dogs taking the pill is prevented from the ages of 22 months to 7 years old. Inside of the pills there are purified antigens which come from the membrane of an unfertilized egg or the ova of a pig. Specific antibodies are formed in the dog after an oral intake of the pill. These antibodies work at preventing fertilization or the coming together of the sperm and ova. This method does not prevent females from having normal heat periods. Also, it doesn't prevent infections or any other health problems that may occur. Similar to women on birth control, female dogs may experience side effects.

After learning about the various ways of spaying your puppy, you should think about what's most important to you regarding your puppy. Also, compare and contrast the prices of the different methods of spaying and see which ones are affordable.