What does spaying mean?
Spaying (sterilisation) is the surgery in which a female animal's ovaries (ovariectomy) or ovaries and uterus (ovariohysterectomy) are removed. At Saari Animal Clinic, female dogs, cats and rabbits are spayed by open surgery through a small incision in the midline of the abdomen, under inhalation anaesthesia with comprehensive pain relief. We do not perform laparoscopic (keyhole) spays. The procedure for male animals is described on our Castration (neutering) page.
Spaying prices
The price includes inhalation anaesthesia, the surgery, medicines, take-home pain relief, a recovery suit or cone, and suture removal when needed. The dog price depends on weight. All prices are in our price list. Direct insurance billing is available for LähiTapiola, Agria and Pohjola customers.
Why spay a female dog or cat?
Spaying completely eliminates hormonal diseases and effectively prevents life-threatening pyometra (uterine infection) and mammary tumours — mammary tumour prevention is most effective when spaying is done before the first or second heat. Spaying ends heat cycles and false pregnancies, calms heat behaviour and prevents unwanted pregnancies. In female rabbits, spaying is often medically indicated too, because the risk of uterine tumours becomes very high with age. Spaying is not, however, an automatic choice for every healthy female: it has both benefits and drawbacks, and we weigh them up together with you based on your pet's age, breed, health and circumstances.
Spaying a female dog
In small and medium breeds, a female dog can be spayed at around 6–12 months of age. In large and giant breeds we recommend waiting until 12–18 months so that skeletal growth is complete. An adult bitch is spayed between heats, about 2–3 months after the last heat, when the uterus's blood supply is at its lowest. After spaying, metabolism slows and the dog gains weight more easily — reduce food by about 10–20 %. A rare side effect, especially in large breeds, is urinary incontinence, which can be treated with medication. The dog's personality and learned behaviour do not change.
Spaying a female cat
A female cat is usually spayed at around 5–6 months of age, ideally before the first heat. A cat's heat often starts as early as 5–7 months and recurs every few weeks through spring and summer — the calling, rubbing and marking of an unspayed cat stop with spaying. Indoor cats should be spayed too: it prevents pyometra and mammary tumours and makes daily life easier. A cat spay is a quick procedure and the cat goes home the same day.
Spaying a female rabbit
Female rabbits are typically spayed at 6–12 months of age. In unspayed does the risk of uterine tumours becomes very high with age, so spaying is recommended even for a rabbit living alone. The rabbit's anaesthesia and pain relief are planned around the species' particular needs, and rabbits are not fasted before surgery.
The procedure at our clinic
Spaying is performed under inhalation anaesthesia with comprehensive pain relief. We monitor the patient continuously throughout: heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation and temperature. We use tissue-sparing surgical techniques and careful haemostasis. Adult dogs and cats are fasted 8–12 hours before surgery (water is allowed until the morning). Patients usually go home the same day with pain medication and a recovery suit or cone. Read more about anaesthesia safety.
Recovery after spaying
After spaying, the pet needs rest for about 10–14 days: no jumping, running, stairs or rough play, and only short lead walks for dogs. The wound is protected at all times with a recovery suit or cone so the pet cannot lick it. Pain medication is sent home. Sutures are removed after about 10 days or dissolve on their own. Most cats are bright again the next day; dogs return to normal daily life in about a week. Contact us if the wound swells, discharges or reddens, or if the pet is not eating or is lethargic for more than a day.
Frequently asked questions about spaying
How much does spaying a female dog cost? Spaying a female dog at Saari Animal Clinic costs €483–753 depending on weight: under 5 kg €483–503, 5–20 kg €503–603, 20–40 kg €603–703, over 40 kg €703–753. The price includes anaesthesia, the surgery, medicines, take-home pain relief, a recovery suit or cone and suture removal.
How much does spaying a female cat cost? Spaying a female cat costs €208. The price includes inhalation anaesthesia, the surgery, medicines, take-home pain relief and a cone. Spaying a female rabbit costs €363.
At what age should spaying be done? Female cats are usually spayed at 5–6 months of age, ideally before the first heat. Female dogs of small and medium breeds at 6–12 months, large breeds at 12–18 months once skeletal growth is complete. An adult bitch is spayed between heats, about 2–3 months after the last heat. Female rabbits at 6–12 months.
How long is recovery after spaying? The pet needs about 10–14 days of rest, and the wound is protected with a recovery suit or cone. Sutures are removed after about 10 days. Cats are usually bright again the next day; dogs return to normal daily life in about a week.
Do you perform laparoscopic (keyhole) spays? No. At Saari Animal Clinic spaying is done as open surgery through a small midline incision, under inhalation anaesthesia with comprehensive pain relief. We do not perform laparoscopic spays.
Does a dog change after spaying? The dog's personality and learned behaviour do not change. Heats, false pregnancies and heat behaviour stop. Metabolism slows, so food should be reduced by about 10–20 % to prevent weight gain. A rare side effect, especially in large breeds, is urinary incontinence, which can be treated with medication.
Does my pet need to fast before spaying? Yes — adult dogs and cats are fasted 8–12 hours before surgery (last meal the evening before); water is allowed until the morning. Rabbits are not fasted. You will get exact instructions when booking.
What about castration of male animals? Castration (neutering) of male dogs, cats and rabbits, chemical castration and prices are covered on our separate castration page.