A spay is the surgical removal of the female reproductive organs called an ovariohysterectomy.  An ovariohysterectomy requires and abdominal incision and tying off of major abdominal blood vessels.  Despite the spay for dogs and cats being a very serious procedure, Dr. Roger and Dr. Karen discuss why pet owners often seem to not take the procedure seriously.

Whether it is calling around to price shop for basement bargain pricing for dogs and cat spays, or failing to restrict activity or keep an Elizabethan collar on the pet to prevent chewing the incision,  pet owners have a tendency to minimalize the overiohysterectomy with regard to value and seriousness.

Our veterinarian co-hosts delve into the culpability of the veterinary profession, per owner perceptions, and even the naming of the procedure to get down to what has led to the perception of a spay as anything less than a serious intra-abdominal surgery. 

For more content from Dr. Roger Welton and Dr. Karen Louis, please visit their respective blogs at Web-DVM.net and VetChick.com.