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Published on: February 12, 2018
[Ovariectomy in older bitches: a case study evaluating complications and long-term uterine health]
Rebecca Shanbhag1,2, Beate Walter1,3, Yury Zablotski4
1Chirurgische und Gynäkologische Kleintierklinik, LMU München.
Objective:
For spaying in older female dogs, ovariohysterectomy (OHE) is often preferred over ovariectomy (OE) in practice due to possible uterine diseases in advanced age. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate patient data in order to assess OE as a surgical method for the prevention of uterine diseases in older female dogs without uterine abnormalities. In addition, complications and long-term effects after spaying were determined in the patient population and compared with regard to the surgical technique.
Material And Methods:
The evaluation was based on patient data in the patient management system, questionnaires and internal follow-up checks. In addition, an ultrasound examination of the uterus was performed in female dogs>3 years of age at the time of OE. Patients who underwent major regional surgery under the same anesthesia or with an anesthesia time of>150 minutes were excluded. Complications were classified as minor or major, with major complications requiring surgical treatment or intensive inpatient care.
Results:
486 bitches were included in the evaluation (OE: 267; OHE: 219). A total of 19 ultrasound examinations after OE revealed no abnormalities, and none of the questionnaires reported uterine disease after OE in any patient with a follow-up of up to 9 years. Intraoperatively only minor complications occurred in 35/486 (7.2%) bitches. For postoperative complications, 315 cases were evaluated, with complications occurring in 18 (5.7%) bitches. These included wound healing disorders (12/315; 3.8%), reoperation due to abdominal bleeding (3/315; 1.0%) and the occurrence of sepsis (3/315; 1.0%). These included 9 (2.9%) major complications. Long-term effects were examined in 205 patients: urinary dribbling was reported in 19 (9.3%), coat changes in 50 (24.4%) and weight gain in 65 (31.7%) of the bitches. No difference was found between OE and OHE. Age had no significant influence.
Conclusion And Clinical Relevance:
The results of the study suggest that OE can also be recommended for older bitches without macroscopically detectable uterine abnormalities. The complications that occurred were comparable overall for OE and OHE.
