When performing a flank spay, we access the ovaries through a
small incision
on the side of her abdomen, away from delicate mammary tissue. This allows an
active nursing cat mother
to continue providing nutrition to her kittens, while healing from this important surgery.
Is a flank spay better?
There is no clear evidence that a
flank incision
is more or less painful than a midline incision when spaying cats However, the surgeon’s preference and individual patient circumstances should be considered when choosing which approach to take.
Where do you cut a cat’s flank for spaying?
For both dogs and cats, the incision should be made in a dorsoventral direction starting just caudal to the midpoint between the last rib and iliac crest. Alternatively, in cats, the incision should be located two finger-widths behind the last rib and one finger-width below the transverse process.
What does flank incision mean?
flank in·ci·sion (flangk in-sizh’ŭn) An incision usually made near and parallel to the
12th rib
or between the iliac crest and the rib.
What is a flank approach?
This is because there are two recognised techniques for spaying cats: Midline approach – an incision is made on the underside of the cat in the middle of their tummy. Flank approach – an incision is made on the side of the cat on the left side of the body wall.
Do cats act different after being spayed?
You can expect your cat to act differently for a few days while recovering from the operation ; however, experts reassure that her personality will remain unchanged. For many cats, a trip to the vet and subsequent surgery might be a frightening and stressful experience.
How can I spay my cat without surgery?
Non-surgical sterilization for dogs, cats and small animals, Calcium chloride dihydrate solution is a chemical sterilant for male animals that is administered via intratesticular injection It can be obtained through a compounding pharmacy or in pre-measured doses that can be mixed onsite.
What is the recovery time for a cat after being spayed?
Most spay/neuter skin incisions are fully healed within about 10–14 days , which coincides with the time that stitches or staples, if any, will need to be removed. Don’t bathe your pet or let them swim until their stitches or staples have been removed and your veterinarian has cleared you to do so.
What should spay incision look like cat?
What should the incision look like? The incision should normally be clean and the edges should be touching each other. The skin should be a normal or slightly reddish-pink color It is not unusual for the incision to become slightly redder during the first few days, as healing begins to take place.
What side do cats get spayed?
Cats are always spayed on the left , so if there is any confusion as to whether they have been done or not ( for example in a stray or rescue cat), vets know where to look for the scar. Sometimes cats will be spayed via the ‘midline’, which is in the middle of their tummy on the underneath, like dogs.
How big is the incision for spaying a cat?
Photograph 8: A small incision ( usually around 1cm long, but can be up to 3-4 cm long ) is made in the cat’s skin, approximately 1 inch below the umbilical scar on the abdominal midline.
Do vets use dissolvable stitches for spaying?
The vessels and ligament that connect the ovaries to the body are sutured, which means closed by stitches, and then cut and removed. The uterine body is then sutured, cut, and removed. Lastly, your vet will carefully close the abdomen with dissolvable stitches Typical healing time from a spay is one week.
What part is the flank?
The flank is the area on the sides and back of your abdomen, between your lower ribs and your hips Pain in this area is called flank pain. Several injuries, diseases and infections can cause pain in the flanks. Flank pain can range from mild to severe.
Is spaying a cat like a hysterectomy?
Spaying a cat is a term that most veterinarians don’t like A better term is ovario hysterectomy, that’s a lot which is why we say spay. Spaying is when you physically remove a la surgery the ovaries and the uterus of an intact female cat so they can no longer reproduce.
Can you get a pregnant cat spayed?
Can a pregnant or in-heat cat be spayed? Yes, spay surgery can be done on both pregnant and in-heat cats Pregnant females whose kittens are aborted often receive extra care and fluids following surgery.
What happens when a cat is spayed?
Spaying your cat is a
major surgical procedure
that involves her going under anesthesia. During the surgery, your veterinarian will make an incision in your cat’s abdomen, then remove the ovaries and/or uterus. The incision is then closed with several layers of stitches, which are often removed after seven to ten days.
Can cats breastfeed after being spayed?
Can a female cat be spayed while lactating? Yes. Mother cats continue to produce milk even after being spayed The typical recovery time for spay surgery is between 12 and 24 hours.
What is a ventral midline incision?
Ventral midline coeliotomy is one of the most common surgical techniques for abdominal surgery in small animals 1 Most surgeons are very familiar with the approach; it allows rapid access to the abdomen with minimal damage to nerves, vessels and abdominal wall muscles (Figure 1).
How long do I have to starve my cat before neutering?
Dogs and cats shouldn’t be fed after midnight before their surgery It’s fine for them to have water, but this should also be stopped after about 7 am.
Do the vets give you a cone?
Dog cones can be purchased directly from your veterinarian and may be sent home with you if your dog has a surgery, procedure, or your veterinarian recommends a treatment plan that prevents licking or biting.
What is a Ovariohysterectomy?
Spaying is the common term used to describe the surgical procedure known as an ovariohysterectomy. In this procedure, the ovaries and uterus are removed completely in order to sterilize a female dog Some veterinarians are now performing an ovariectomy where only the ovaries are removed.
Does flank mean side?
Definition of flank (Entry 1 of 2) 1a : the fleshy part of the side between the ribs and the hip broadly : the side of a quadruped She gently patted the horse’s flank. b : a cut of meat from this part of an animal, see beef illustration.
Where is the flank located on animals?
The flank is the side of a person’s or animal’s body between the ribs and the hip.
Can cats jump after being spayed?
Restricting Movement – Keep Your Cat From Jumping! Your vet will likely recommend limiting your pet’s movement for a specified period (usually a week) after surgery Sudden jumping or stretching can disrupt the healing process and may even cause the incision to reopen.
Is spaying an indoor cat necessary?
Spaying and neutering will improve your cat’s health, reduce the risk of health problems, and should be done as early as possible Spaying/Neutering early will: Decrease the risk of mammary carcinoma. Prevent diseases of the uterus, ovaries and testes.
What happens if you don’t get your female cat spayed?
Intact females have a higher risk of mammary and uterine cancer and serious uterine infections Intact females who are allowed to roam will often fight with other females, and they incur the same risk of injury and disease as males.
Can cat be spayed while in heat?
Getting Your Cat Spayed Although you can have your cat spayed while she is in heat, most vets would not recommend it This is because, during a heat cycle, your cat’s reproductive organs become engorged with blood, making the procedure tricky and time-consuming. It could also cost you more money.
Can I leave my cat home alone after spay?
You cannot leave your cat alone for the first 12-24 hours after she is spayed , since this is a critical time to monitor for postoperative bleeding and normal urination. After this, as long as your cat seems comfortable and is urinating, you may leave her in a confined area with her E-collar in place.
Can cats use litter box after being spayed?
Litter For After Spay/Neuter Surgery Post-surgery you should use a dust-free litter, so no litter ends up stuck to the surgical site Corn-based litters, such as World’s Best Cat Litter™, are always a good idea.
Do female cats need a cone after being spayed?
Not every cat needs a cone, or E-collar, after surgery , but it may be necessary if she keeps licking at the wound. Don’t let your kitty or any of your other pets clean the wounded area for at least 10 days, as it can cause infections.
Can a cat pull out internal stitches?
They generally resolve in 3-4 weeks and represent reaction to the internal stitches as they dissolve. That said, it is prudent for any incisional swelling to be checked out. If the cat has been overly active, she can break internal stitches which could be a problem.
What should a spay incision look like after a week?
Spay Incision Appearance – 1 Week After Surgery After a week, the incision should be much less pink but should still appear to be dry and smooth The wrinkle or scar may have faded, and the skin around the incision will be more firm.
Can I take my cats cone off after 7 days?
Most cats should wear their cone for 5-7 days after neutering to avoid licking the incision Most scrotal incisions heal very quickly. If an abdominal incision was necessary to remove retained testicle(s), then the cone should remain on for 10-14 days or until your cat’s recheck examination to assess healing.
Sources
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16950887/
https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/flank+incision
https://www.vin.com/apputil/content/defaultadv1.aspx?pId=19840&catId=105888&id=8249749&ind=407&objTypeID=17
https://bvajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1136/vr.m2008