Performing an ovariectomy in dogs and cats

摘要

Have you considered performing an ovariectomy in place of an ovariohysterectomy? If you are hesitant to perform this surgery, here is a straightforward how-to so you can add this technique to your clinical toolbox. The potential advantages and disadvantages of ovariectomy over ovariohysterectomy have recently been discussed (see discussion on page 277). Proponents of ovariectomy assert that the procedure is a more efficient and less invasive method to sterilize female dogs and cats. However, in NorthAmerica veterinarians have predominantly been trained to perform ovariohysterectomy. Since ovariectomy is unfamiliar, veterinarians may have concerns about the technique and whether uterine disease could occur as a consequence. With this article, I hopeto describe the procedure in a way that allows you to perform it with confidence and to understand its effects.