Purpose of Procedure

Elective sterilization is done primarily to prevent estrus (heat)

cycles and unwanted pregnancies and offspring. This goal is

accomplished by removing the ovaries, alone or in combination

with removal of the uterus.

Ovariohysterectomy is the treatment of choice for uterine

diseases, including pyometra (uterine infection), metritis, cystic

changes of the uterus, rupture of the uterus, and tumors of the

uterus. Vaginal prolapse, uterine prolapse, and some hormonal

(endocrine) problems, such as diabetes mellitus, may benefit from

a sterilization procedure.

Pregnancy termination is another indication for removal of the

ovaries and uterus. Owners of some cats elect to have their queen

sterilized at the time of a caesarean section.

Description of Technique

Ovariectomy (OVE) is removal of the ovaries. Ovariohysterectomy

(OVH, OHE) is removal of both the uterus and ovaries and is commonly

referred to as a spay operation.

An appropriate preoperative evaluation that includes a physical

examination and blood tests is usually recommended, even for

elective procedures. Comprehensive laboratory tests are advisable

in older cats to detect any problems that may present a risk for

anesthesia and surgery. Other preoperative testing depends on the

presence of underlying diseases.

The conventional manner of performing a sterilization procedure

requires an incision into the abdomen that is long enough to

allow the reproductive organs to be found. The incision is significantly

longer for removal of a diseased or enlarged uterus, compared

with a healthy, nonpregnant uterus. Rarely, a veterinarian

may recommend making incisions on both flanks (behind the last

rib) when performing an OVE.

Preparation of Animal

Your veterinarian will instruct you to withhold food and sometimes

water for a certain period of time, depending on the anesthesia to

be used for the surgery.

Potential Complications

Most cats do well after surgery, with no or minimal complications.

• Minor complications include licking at the incision, development

of inflammation or a small pocket of fluid (seroma) beneath

the skin at the incision, and premature loss of external skin

sutures.

• Hemorrhage after surgery is more common in larger, obese

cats and is more of a concern if it originates from the uterine

vessels.

• As is possible with all abdominal incisions, a breakdown of

the abdominal wall with herniation of abdominal contents can

occur, albeit rarely.

• Delayed complications of removing only the ovaries include

a return of heat cycles and infection of the uterus (pyometra),

especially if removal of ovarian tissue was incomplete.

• If the ovaries and the uterus were both removed, the small portion

of the uterus left behind may become infected at a later

date. This complication is referred to as stump pyometra , and

it is sometimes associated with incomplete removal of ovarian

tissue at the time of the original sterilization procedure.

Postoperative/Follow-up Care

In many instances, the sterilization procedure is uncomplicated

and the cat may be discharged from the veterinary hospital on the

same day, often with appropriate pain management. When an OVH

is performed in cats at risk for bleeding or with serious underlying

uterine disease, continued hospitalization may be recommended so

the animal can be monitored and appropriate therapy delivered.

The cat should be kept quiet for 10-14 days or longer, according

to your veterinarian’s instructions. Limiting the animal’s

activity (no running, rough playing, or jumping) helps minimize

the chance of breakdown of the abdominal incision. If possible,

the cat should be kept inside in a clean, dry environment until the

incisions have healed.

No recheck visits may be needed if external sutures were not

used. In other cases, recheck visits are scheduled based on the reason

for the sterilization procedure. Notify your veterinarian if any

bleeding or persistent oozing occurs at the incision, if the cat continues

to lick or traumatize the incision, if any swelling develops

under the incision, or if the incision starts to open.