Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Ovariohysterectomy during dog c-section does not increase risks
By Guest, Kelsea E et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2023·College of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Performing an ovariohysterectomy at the time of c-section does not pose an increase in risk of mortality, intra- or postoperative complications, or decreased mothering ability of the bitch.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 125 female dogs that had cesarean sections (C-sections) were studied to see if having an ovariohysterectomy (spay surgery) at the same time would cause more problems. The results showed that there were no significant differences in survival rates, complications, or mothering ability between those that had just the C-section and those that had both surgeries. However, the dogs that had the spay surgery took longer to recover and were perceived as more painful afterward. Overall, spaying during a C-section is safe and can be done without increasing risks for the mother or her puppies.
People also search for: dog c-section recovery · spaying during c-section · dog pain management after surgery
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Ovariohysterectomy (OVH) is frequently recommended at the time of c-section in canines, yet prior literature suggests poor mothering ability and increased morbidity to the bitch with c-section with concurrent OVH (CSOVH). The study objective was to compare maternal survival, complications, and mothering ability between bitches that underwent c-section alone (CS) or CSOVH. ANIMALS: 125 bitches. PROCEDURES: Medical records from 2014 through 2021 were retrospectively reviewed; owners were surveyed for information up to weaning. RESULTS: 80 bitches undergoing CS and 45 bitches undergoing CSOVH were identified. There was no difference in anesthesia duration, intraoperative complications, postoperative complications, mothering ability, puppy survival to weaning, or other variables compared between groups. CSOVH bitches had longer surgery times (P = .045; 54.4 ± 20.7 min vs 46.9 ± 16.6 min) and longer time from delivery to nursing (P = .028; 75.4 ± 22.3 min vs 65.2 ± 19.5 min). Ninety (72%) owners responded to the survey. All 90 bitches survived until puppy weaning. CSOVH bitches were more frequently perceived as painful postoperatively (P = .015). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Performing an OVH at the time of c-section does not pose a significant increase in risk of mortality, intraoperative complications, postoperative complications, or decreased mothering ability of the bitch. The increased duration of surgery and increased time from delivery to nursing in the CSOVH group were clinically insignificant. Appropriate postoperative pain management should be emphasized post-CSOVH. Based on these results, OVH should be performed concurrently with c-section if indicated.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36933210/