Toa Payoh
Vets Clinical Research Making veterinary surgery alive
to a veterinary student studying in Australia
using real case studies and pictures
A BLOODLESS SPAY
Dr Sing Kong Yuen, BVMS (Glasgow), MRCVS
First written:
05 March, 2010
toapayohvets.com
Be Kind To Pets
Veterinary Education
Project 2010-0129
Miniature Schnauzer
X, Female, 3 years, 6.3 kg for spaying by the concerned
mother who was worried that the dog had not eaten today
and wanted to wait till I completed the surgery. But I
was not operating immediately. "I hear that after
spaying, my dog will not get cancer," somebody had told
her. "Less chances of getting breast tumours and
infection of the womb," I replied. Spayed dogs do get
breast cancer but rarely.
Best surgical situation. Bloodless surgery as the dog
was around 2 months after heat.
A nervous dog. The owner wanted the dog back at 5 pm.
Surgical anaesthesia is the most important
aspect of spaying Domitor 0.15ml IM was given as the dog was
hyperexcited and therefore would not
take direct isoflurane in a mask, without putting up a
violent struggle. Waited 10 minutes (Clipping done in
preparation room).
Isoflurane gas 1%, then 0.5% and reduced to 0.25% after
ligation and removal of ovaries and uterine horns. Able
to such low % due to tight-fitting 0.75 endotracheal
tube. Advised intern that lower the isoflurane the
better for the dog's health. Normally, the
book recommends 2%. But in this case, pre-anaesthetic
dose of Domitor was given and so the isoflurane % could
be lowered.
Still sleeping at end of spay. I did not give Antisedan.
After 5 minutes, she woke up smoothly by
herself. Coughed as I pulled out the endotracheal tube.
No struggle. No crying and moving unlike the Maltese
puppy (abscess in neck) was given solely isoflurane
anaesthesia to minimise death from anaesthesia.
Surgery
Incision 2 cm from end of umbilical scar. Length of
incision: 1.3 cm. Hooked out ovaries with long hook.
I used the scalpel cut off the taut ovarian ligament.
Bloodless.
Uterine horn fat bloodless. Double ligate uterine
body. 2/0 absorbable sutures used.
When the surgery
field is bloodless, it is a pleasure to spay the female
dog. I checked enlarged nipples for milk but none was
present. This dog had false pregnancy nipples from
previous episode. It was an uneventful surgery. I wanted
the intern to be hands on to bandage the surgical site.
The plaster pieces did not stick. "Why did you tape over
the dog's nipple?" I asked as the plaster would not
stick. This was her first time and she had to be hands
on. Surprises happened with interns sometimes as they
are new to the world of veterinary medicine. Finally, I
asked my assistant Mr Saw to get the sticky tape to show
her how to do it. I phoned the delighted owner who
could take her dog home at 9.30 pm, 3 hours after my
surgery.
toapayohvets.com
Be Kind To Pets
Veterinary Education
Project 2010-0129
TOA
PAYOH VETS
