Page 3330 - Cote clinical veterinary advisor dogs and cats 4th

Consent to Perform Ovariohysterectomy (Spay), Feline

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

INTRODUCTION having assessed that the anticipated benefit is greater than the
We want to make sure that you understand the planned surgical 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 overall
Alternatives to this surgery, when applicable, will be discussed with risk is low. Nevertheless, it is a significant operation that requires entry
you. It is also important that you recognize that medicine is not an into the abdominal cavity and as such, it requires careful aftercare,
exact science, and that the outcome cannot be guaranteed. We even in cats that seem to recover quickly. Complications related
encourage you to ask us as many questions as required for you to surgery are not common but can include excessive bleeding,
to make a well-informed decision. bruising, and infection. There is a very low risk that abdominal
organs could herniate, or protrude, past the abdominal muscles
BENEFITS/OPTIMAL OUTCOME OF THE PROCEDURE or even through the skin. It is important to follow postoperative
Ovariohysterectomy (also known as spay) is the surgical removal of instructions to restrict activity and prevent your cat from licking at
a cat’s uterus and ovaries, performed under general anesthesia. This the incision to lower the risk of these complications. While other
procedure is performed to eliminate the possibility of reproduction. surgical complications are possible, they are very rare.
It also prevents uterine cancer, 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, the cat is anesthetized, and then the abdomen
is shaved and cleaned before making a surgical incision. The ovaries
are located and freed from the surrounding tissues, and the blood ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROCEDURE
supply to the ovaries is tied off with sutures. The blood supply Some surgeons may prefer to do an ovariectomy, which is removal
to the uterus is also located and tied off with sutures, and the of the ovaries without removal of the uterus. If done properly, this
uterus and ovaries are removed. The incision is closed in multiple procedure confers no additional risk compared to an ovariohyster-
layers with suture. Pain medication is given during the procedure, ectomy where the ovaries and uterus are removed. The decision to
and additional pain medication may be given after the procedure perform either procedure depends on the surgeon’s training and
depending on your cat’s needs. Pain medication is often sent home preference. If you have questions about this alternative, please feel
to make the cat more comfortable over the next few days as she free to ask prior to your cat’s surgery.
recovers from surgery.
Additional procedures planned for your pet at the same time AUTHORIZATION
as the feline ovariohysterectomy: By signing this form below, you agree that:
• You understand how/why the procedure is likely to help your
____________________________________________________________ pet
• You understand what will be done to your pet during the
USE OF SEDATIVES OR ANESTHESIA procedure
Feline ovariohysterectomy requires the use of general anesthe- • You understand the known risks that accompany the procedure,
sia, which causes your cat to become unconscious. Although and also understand that unforeseen complications may occur
anesthesia is performed routinely with good outcomes, it does • You understand that the procedure may not produce the results
bring risks, including a very small risk of death. These risks are we hope to achieve
increased for animals with severe disease. To reduce these • You understand the alternatives to this procedure for your pet
risks, your animal will be supplied with extra oxygen, and will be • You agree that you have been given time to ask questions regard-
monitored closely during both anesthesia and during recovery from ing the procedure, that these have been answered satisfactorily,
anesthesia. The decision to perform this procedure is based on 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.