WARNING: This series of pictures is quite graphic.  If you do not wish to see photographs of this nature, please click the Home button now.  This tour is meant as an educational tool and not a do it yourself kit.  Please do not try this at home! The Ovariohysterectomy Surgery  (Spay) .
	While this is a very common procedure, it is not a trivial one by any means.  The surgery is preceded by a complete physical examination and preoperative blood work-up.  If the pet is deemed healthy, then preoperative medications are given.  These will relax the pet and help with pain management and smooth out anesthesia. An intravenous catheter is placed, and fluids are administered.

  

  

The ECG Monitor  The pet is administered an intravenous induction agent to make her go to sleep.  She is connected to an ECG monitor and pulse oximeter.  These monitor the heart and blood oxygen saturation.

  

The Endotracheal Tube An endotracheal tube is placed in the airway, and the maintenance anesthetic and oxygen are administered directly to the lungs.  One can see the IV line in this dogs leg.

The Surgery Begins The dog is placed on her back and her belly is shaved and surgically prepared.  This is done with several scrubs containing antibacterial solutions.  The surgical site is then draped off with sterile towels and finally a sterile drape.  An incision is made through the surgically prepared skin. The incision is continued through the subcutaneous fat and the muscular body wall. The ovaries are isolated and brought out through the incision. A clamp is then placed across the pedicle.  The pedicle is the ligament containing the blood vessels that nourish the ovary.

The Ovarian Pedicle  The ovarian pedicle is ligated or tied off using sterile suture material.  The pedicle is then cut off above the clamp and placed back into the abdomen.  This procedure is repeated on the opposite side.

The Body of the Uterus  The broad ligament, a membrane connecting the arms of the uterus is then ligated and cut.  The uterine body and blood vessels are then also ligated and cut off above the clamp.

The Closure The body is closed in three layers.  First the body wall or muscular layer is sutured closed.

The Subcutaneous Layer  Next, the subcutaneous or fat layer is sutured closed.

The Skin Finally, the skin is sutured closed.  The anesthetic gas is then turned off and the pet is monitored closely until she begins chewing on the endotracheal tube.  The tube is then removed and she is monitored until she wakes up.