ovariohysterectomy or spay in a female dog

Female dog comes on 'heat' twice a year, which may last for about 21 days. It is just an old thought that a female dog needs to have a litter of puppies once in its lifetime. Studies has proved that by spaying a female dog before her first heat cycle, chances of developing mammary cancer are reduced. In fact, a female spayed before sexual maturity (6 to 9 months of age) has one-seventh the risk of an intact female of developing mammary cancer.

SPAYING - THE ADVANTAGES
You can avoid the mess and inconvenience when your female dog comes in heat and can prevent unwanted puppies.Spaying helps detour females from roaming the neighborhood looking for a mate. Early spaying completely eliminates uterine infections.
THE SURGERY
Spay is the complete removal of the female reproductive tract -the ovaries, oviducts, uterine horns, and the uterus. The surgery also removes the source of production of such hormones as estrogen and progesterone, which are responsible for stimulating and controlling heat cycles.
The spay is performed under general anaesthetic so she will not feel anything during the procedure. The sterilised instruments are used and the skin is prepared before the surgeon opens the abdomen, thereby minimising bacterial contamination. Both ovaries and the uterus are removed. The abdomen is closed using suture material that dissolves and is absorbed by the body. The skin is usually sutured with stitches that have to be removed in 10-14 days. After 3 days she is usually back to normal.
Precautions: Do not allow your bitch to jump or exercise vigorously until the stitches are removed. There should be no games or forced exercise for the first week.
Home care
When she has recovered from anaesthesia, offer only small amounts of light food and water at first - give your dog some time to settle down. After that she can do whatever she feels like doing.
Although general anesthesia and surgery always involve a certain amount of risk, it is very unlikely that your dog will have any serious trouble with the operation. If we are going to have problems, they are likely to be from licking at the suture. A little licking is normal, but if your dog seems to be really after those sutures, take her to hospital probably fit her with a protective collar.