Page 3328 - Cote clinical veterinary advisor dogs and cats 4th

Consent to Perform Ovariohysterectomy (Spay), Canine

VetBooks.ir Patient name:_________________________________
Pet owner’s name:_____________________________ Med rec #____________
Best contact during/after procedure (e.g., cell phone number):____________________

INTRODUCTION decision to perform this procedure is based on having assessed
We want to make sure that you understand the planned surgical that the anticipated benefit is greater than the anesthetic risk.
procedure to be performed on your pet. You should know why the
surgery has been suggested, what the potential benefits are for FORESEEABLE RISKS TO THE PROCEDURE
your pet, and the most common/important risks of the operation. An ovariohysterectomy is considered a routine surgery, and the
Alternatives to this surgery, when applicable, will be discussed with overall risk is low. Nevertheless, it is a significant operation that
you. It is also important that you recognize that medicine is not an requires entry into the abdominal cavity and as such, it requires
exact science, and that the outcome cannot be guaranteed. We careful aftercare, even in dogs that seem to recover quickly.
encourage you to ask us as many questions as required for you Complications related to surgery are not common but can include
to make a well-informed decision. excessive bleeding, bruising, and infection. There is a very low
risk that abdominal organs could herniate, or protrude, past the
BENEFITS/OPTIMAL OUTCOME OF THE PROCEDURE abdominal muscles or even through the skin. It is important to follow
An ovariohysterectomy (also known as spay) is the surgical removal of post-operative instructions to restrict activity and prevent your dog
a dog’s uterus and ovaries, performed under general anesthesia. This from licking at the incision to lower the risk of these complications.
procedure is performed to eliminate the possibility of reproduction. Other surgical complications are possible, but uncommon.
It also prevents uterine cancer, an infection of the uterus (pyometra),
and lowers the risk of mammary cancer. Other anticipated risks specific to your pet:___________________

EXPLANATION OF THE PROCEDURE _________________________________________________________
During this procedure, your dog will be anesthetized. The abdomen
is shaved and cleaned, and an incision is made into the abdomen.
The ovaries are located and freed from the surrounding tissues, ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROCEDURE
and the blood vessels to the ovaries are tied off with sutures. Some surgeons may prefer to do an ovariectomy, which is removal
The blood supply to the uterus is also located and tied off with of the ovaries without removal of the uterus. If done properly, this
sutures, and the uterus and ovaries are removed. The incision procedure confers no additional risk compared to an ovariohyster-
is closed in multiple layers with suture. Pain medication may be ectomy where the ovaries and uterus are removed. The decision to
given during the procedure, and additional pain medication may perform either procedure depends on the surgeon’s training and
be given after the procedure depending on your pet’s needs. preference. If you have questions about this alternative, please feel
Pain medication is often sent home to make your dog more free to ask prior to your pet’s surgery.
comfortable over the next few days as your pet recovers from
surgery. AUTHORIZATION
Additional procedures planned for your pet at the same time By signing this form below, you agree that:
as the canine ovariohysterectomy: • You understand how/why the procedure is likely to help your
pet
____________________________________________________________ • You understand what will be done to your pet during the
procedure
USE OF SEDATIVES OR ANESTHESIA • You understand the known risks that accompany the procedure,
Ovariohysterectomy requires the use of general anesthesia, which and also understand that unforeseen complications may occur
causes your dog to become unconscious. Although anesthesia • You understand that the procedure may not produce the results
is performed routinely with good outcomes, it does bring risks, we hope to achieve
including a very small risk of death. These risks are increased for • You understand the alternatives to this procedure for your pet
animals with severe disease. To reduce these risks, your animal • You agree that you have been given time to ask questions regard-
will be supplied with extra oxygen, and will be monitored closely ing the procedure, that these have been answered satisfactorily,
during both anesthesia and during recovery from anesthesia. The and that you are free to decline the procedure.

From Cohn and Côté: Clinical Veterinary Advisor, 4th edition. Copyright © 2020 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.