Spay 1

Spay (Routine)

Surgeon: Dr. Vanessa Pisano, DVM
Medical Director, VCA North Springs Animal Hospital
Coral Springs, Florida
Assisted by: Dr. Sharon Sernik, DVM
Owner, Westmonte Animal Clinic
Altamonte Springs, Florida
Performed at: Westmonte Animal Clinic
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Photography: Joanne “Bella” Hodges
Text: V. Pisano & J. Hodges

Click on a photo to enlarge it.

SpayVP_01
SpayVP_01

This is the surgical table. In order to conserve body heat during surgery a circulating hot water blanket is used. A towel has been laid over it so that the rat is never in direct contact with the heat source.


SpayVP_02
SpayVP_02

Using a canine mask, isoflurane gas is introduced in order to anesthetize the rat.


SpayVP_03
SpayVP_03

Once the rat is unconscious a rodent face mask is used to administer the anesthesia.
The rat is shaved from the brim of the pelvis to the umbilicus. The surgeon is pointing to the brim of the pelvis.


SpayVP_04
SpayVP_04

The abdominal markings show the brim of the pelvis and the approximate incision site.
The assistant has placed her thumb and forefinger on the rats chest to monitor heart rate and respiration.


SpayVP_05
SpayVP_05

The surgical site has been prepped with three Betadine scrubs and one alcohol scrub. Typically, during veterinary surgery, there are multiple alcohol scrubs. However, when performing surgery on rats the surgeon prefers one alcohol scrub to minimize loss of body heat.


SpayVP_06
SpayVP_06

The skin incision has been made. The surgeon has tented the abdominal wall and is using a scalpel to incise the midline.


SpayVP_07
SpayVP_07

The abdominal wall has been opened and a spay hook is being used to pull up one of the uterine horns.


SpayVP_08
SpayVP_08

Once the surgeon has pulled the uterine horn to the surface it is followed cranially to reach the ovary. Care must be taken when manipulating the ovary because the ovarian vessels are very delicate (friable) and can tear easily.


SpayVP_09
SpayVP_09

When the ovary is reached the ovarian vessels are clamped.


SpayVP_10
SpayVP_10

The surgeon is incising (fenestrating) the broad ligament in order to pass through a suture.


SpayVP_11
SpayVP_11

The surgeon is preparing to tie the suture.


SpayVP_12
SpayVP_12

The first suture has been placed below the ovary.


SpayVP_13
SpayVP_13

The ovarian vessels have been cut below the ovary. The ovary is now attached only to the uterine horn.


SpayVP_14
SpayVP_14

The second uterine horn is being followed to the ovary.


SpayVP_15
SpayVP_15

The surgeon has incised the broad ligament on the second uterine horn and is preparing to clamp below the ovary.


SpayVP_16
SpayVP_16

The suture is being placed around the ovarian vessels.


SpayVP_17
SpayVP_17

Both ovaries have now been freed from their attachments.


SpayVP_18
SpayVP_18

A suture has been placed around the body of the uterus.


SpayVP_19
SpayVP_19

The uterine horns have been removed.


SpayVP_20
SpayVP_20

The surgeon is suturing the abdominal wall in a simple continuous pattern.


SpayVP_21
SpayVP_21

The surgeon is now closing the subcuticular layer still using the simple continuous pattern.


SpayVP_22
SpayVP_22

A photo of the rat after her completed spay procedure.


Cross-references

Linked from

  • Spay 

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