Benefits and risks of neutering pets – what is the evidence – Surgical options
spotlight topic:
Surgical options
Published 27 November 2020 | Updated 4 November 2024
- Faulkner, E.B. et al. (2024) Serious surgical complications of canine cryptorchid castration are associated with surgical approach. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.24.04.0257
- Shivley, J.M. et al. (2024) A randomized trial to compare smooth monofilament suture vs. barbed suture using the three-layer continuous closure technique in canine ovariohysterectomy in a high-quality high-volume spay/neuter clinic. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2024.1365213
- Souza, A. et al. (2023) Dexmedetomidine alone or combined with morphine for epidural anesthesia in bitches undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy. Topics in Companion Animal Medicine, 53-54, 100775. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tcam.2023.100775
- Tavares, I.T. et al. (2023) Premedication with acetazolamide: Is its use for postoperative pain and stress control after laparoscopic ovariectomy in dogs ruled out? Veterinary Medicine and Science. https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.1115
- Kramer, B.M. et al. (2022) Anesthetic and analgesic techniques used for dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomies in general practice in the United States. Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaa.2022.07.010
- Pecile, A. et al.(2021) Immunohistochemical insights into a hidden pathology: canine cryptorchidism. Theriogenology, 176, pp. 43-53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2021.09.011
Once the decision to neuter has been made there are still decisions to be taken regarding the most appropriate technique.
- Tivers, M.S. (2005) Questionnaire study of canine neutering techniques taught in UK veterinary schools and those used in practice. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 46 (9), pp. 430-435 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-5827.2005.tb00341.x
- DeTora, M. and McCarthy, R.J. (2011) Ovariohysterectomy versus ovariectomy for elective sterilization of female dogs and cats: is removal of the uterus necessary? Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 239 (11), pp. 1409-1412 https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.239.11.1409
- Van Goethem, B., Schaefers‐Okkens, A. and Kirpensteijn, J. (2006) Making a rational choice between ovariectomy and ovariohysterectomy in the dog: a discussion of the benefits of either technique. Veterinary Surgery, 35 (2), pp. 136-143 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-950X.2006.00124.x
- Culp, W.T., Mayhew, P.D. and Brown, D.C. (2009) The effect of laparoscopic versus open ovariectomy on postsurgical activity in small dogs. Veterinary Surgery, 38 (7), pp. 811-817 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-950X.2009.00572.x
- Owen, M.A. et al. (2023) Canine laparoscopic-assisted ovary-sparing hysterectomy does not increase risk of stump pyometra. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.22.12.0539
- Brunn, A. (2022) Surgical castration in dogs: does the incision approach influence postoperative recovery? Veterinary Evidence, 7 (4), no. 587. https://doi.org/10.18849/ve.v7i4.587
When deciding on a surgical technique, it is also important to consider the possible risks and complications, as these can have a significant effect on animal welfare, client satisfaction and the wellbeing of veterinary staff.
- Adin, C.A. (2011) Complications of ovariohysterectomy and orchiectomy in companion animals. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 41 (5), pp. 1023-1039 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvsm.2011.05.004
- Hamilton, K.H. (2014) Comparison of postoperative complications in healthy dogs undergoing open and closed orchidectomy. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 55 (10), pp. 521-526 https://doi.org/10.1111/jsap.12266
- Moxon, R. et al. (2022) A prospective cohort study investigating the peri- and postoperative outcomes following ovariohysterectomy in bitches neutered prepubertally or post-pubertally. Theriogenology, 197, pp. 283-294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.11.047
- Peeters, M.E. and Kirpensteijn, J. (2011) Comparison of surgical variables and short-term postoperative complications in healthy dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy or ovariectomy. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 238 (2), pp. 189-194 https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.238.2.189
- Charlesworth, T.M. and Sanchez, F.T. (2019) A comparison of the rates of postoperative complications between dogs undergoing laparoscopic and open ovariectomy. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 60 (4), pp. 218-222. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsap.12993
This paper was also the subject of a review in InFOCUS which is available at:
https://infocus.rcvsknowledge.org/a-comparison-of-the-rates-of-postoperative-complications-between-dogs-undergoing-laparoscopic-and-open-ovariectomy/ - Zink, C., Delgado, M.M. and Stella, J. L. (2023) Vasectomy and ovary-sparing spay in dogs: comparison of health and behavior outcomes with gonadectomized and sexually intact dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.22.08.0382
- White, S.C. (2018) Veterinarians’ emotional reactions and coping strategies for adverse events in spay-neuter surgical practice. Anthrozoös, 31 (1), pp. 117-131 https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08927936.2018.1406205
- De Menezes, M.P. et al (2023) Intraoperative and early postoperative pain in cats that underwent ovariohysterectomy using a spay hook: a randomised, masked, experimental study. BMC Veterinary Research, 19, no. 154 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-023-03718-w
Alongside primary published evidence there are also a number of evidence reviews available relating different surgical options:
- Pennington, C. (2020) In female dogs undergoing elective neutering is ovariectomy or ovariohysterectomy superior? Veterinary Evidence, 5 (2), 303 https://doi.org/10.18849/ve.v5i2.303
- Phypers, C. (2017) In Cats and Dogs Does Laparoscopic Ovariectomy Offer Advantages Over Open Ovariectomy for Postoperative Recovery? Veterinary Evidence, 2 (2), 59 https://doi.org/10.18849/ve.v2i2.59
- Candetoft, M.N. (2020) The incidence of uterine pathology in ovariectomised bitches.
Veterinary Evidence, 5 (3), 331 https://doi.org/10.18849/ve.v5i3.331 - Stavisky, J. and Brennan, M. (2020) Midline versus flank approach and wound complications in neutering of cats. [BestBETs for Vets][online] Available from: https://bestbetsforvets.org/bet/558 [Accessed 20 November 2020]
- Doit, H. and Belshaw, Z. (2019) Laparoscopic vs conventional midline approach for dog spays and post-op activity. [BestBETs for Vets][online] Available from: https://bestbetsforvets.org/bet/276 [Accessed 20 November 2020]
- Espadas‐González, L. et al. (2023) Using complete blood count‐derived inflammatory markers to compare postoperative inflammation in dogs undergoing open or laparoscopic ovariectomy. Veterinary Record, e2835. https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.2835
As well as looking at complication rates in the published literature it may be helpful to carry out a clinical audit of complications following routine neutering in your own practice. You can benchmark your own practice by contributing to the National Audit for Small Animal Neutering https://vetaudit.rcvsk.org/nasan/
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