The Cutting Edge Veterinary Podcast

STUDENTS: Brooke-Lynn Vandenberg, Carly Wilson and Shea Wilson

FACULTY MENTORS: Drs. Marina McConkey and Ning Cheng

Ovariectomies (OVE) and ovariohysterectomies (OVH) are both acceptable sterilization procedures for female dogs. However, the superior procedure has been debated for decades. This review looks at several perioperative and postoperative outcomes to determine which of the two should be the procedure of choice. Despite OVE being less invasive, there are no significant differences between the two procedures in terms of surgical duration, pain, granuloma formation, incidence of hormone responsive urinary incontinence, or risk of leaving ovarian tissue behind. Research supports a lower incidence of intra-abdominal hemorrhage with OVE because the ovarian pedicles are the only source of blood loss. There is no risk of postoperative vaginal bleeding with OVE because the serosal surface of uterine horns are left intact. Accidental ureteral ligation is more likely with OVH because the ureter is closer at the uterine body than at the ovary. Ultimately, both sterilization procedures have equivalent outcomes for sterilizing healthy female dogs. Both procedures have risks. More controlled experimental studies are needed in this area to objectively compare the two procedures. For now, the choice between OVE and OVH is surgeon preference. The procedure that best suits the surgeon’s own experience should be considered.