Dog Spaying in Porto
When to do it, and what it changes in the risk of mammary tumours
Spaying a female dog is abdominal surgery, and the most important decision is not whether to do it but when. The timing significantly changes the lifetime risk of mammary tumours, and the right window depends on her size. We also offer the laparoscopic route, with incisions a few millimetres long and a shorter recovery.
- Pre-anaesthetic blood work
- Laparoscopy available
- Post-operative pain control
Book an appointment
Booking is done online through Digitail, in under two minutes.
- Pre-surgical consultation with individual assessment
- Blood work before anaesthesia
- Plan and costs explained before booking
Select “Pre-surgical consultation” in the form.
Book a pre-surgical consultation and mention that it is for spaying a female dog. If you go ahead with surgery at our clinic, the cost of this consultation is deducted from the procedure.
- Spay procedures performed
- +1300Spay procedures performed
- Years of experience
- 15Years of experience
- Satisfied clients
- +3500Satisfied clients
- Happy pets
- +4200Happy pets
The laparoscopic option
Spaying can be done laparoscopically, through two or three incisions a few millimetres long instead of opening the abdominal wall. Less pain afterwards, a lower risk of wound complications and a shorter recovery.
Age changes the benefit
The protective effect against mammary tumours is greatest the earlier it is done, and it falls with every season that passes. On the other hand, in large breeds there is an argument for waiting until growth is complete. That balance is what we decide at the consultation.
Blood work before anaesthesia
We run pre-anaesthetic tests to assess kidney and liver function and blood values. That is what lets us tailor the anaesthetic protocol to the individual dog, rather than using one protocol for all of them.
Prevents infection of the uterus
Pyometra is a serious uterine infection, common in unspayed middle-aged dogs, and it calls for emergency surgery. Once the uterus is removed, it is no longer possible.
How the process works
From the first consultation to the removal of the stitches, this is the usual path.
Pre-surgical consultation
We examine her, discuss her age and size, answer your questions and explain the costs. If you choose to go ahead, the cost of this consultation is deducted from the procedure.
Pre-anaesthetic blood work
We take blood to assess kidney and liver function before anaesthesia. If any value is abnormal, we postpone and investigate rather than going ahead regardless.
Surgery with continuous monitoring
The procedure takes place in our own operating theatre, with mechanical ventilation and anaesthesia monitored from start to finish: heart and respiratory rate, oxygenation, temperature and blood pressure.
Recovery and pain control
She recovers with us under supervision before going home, already on pain relief. We explain the medication and the wound care in writing, not only verbally.
Check-ups and stitch removal
We check the wound in the first few days and remove the stitches at the agreed time. During that period exercise should be reduced and she must not lick the sutures.
What spaying resolves in a female dog
The benefits differ from those in a male, because the problems it prevents are different too.
- Significantly reduces the risk of mammary tumours, the more so the earlier it is done
- Removes the risk of pyometra, the uterine infection that forces emergency surgery
- Puts an end to seasons, to the bleeding and to the attention of the neighbourhood males
- Prevents unplanned pregnancies and repeated false pregnancies
- Reduces the urge to roam while in season, and the street risks that brings
- Removes the risk of ovarian and uterine tumours
Veterinary Team
An experienced team led by Dr. Ivo Malta and Dr. Marta Barros, dedicated to animal wellbeing.
We care for every patient closely and individually, focused on prevention and careful diagnosis.
We combine clinical knowledge with an empathetic approach, always with transparency and trust.
What pet owners say
Real reviews left on Google by people who have been here.
Average rating
Google Reviews
“I think the team was great, it was her first bath and she can get very excited. She seemed happy after the bath and the team took great care for her.”
M W (Edgy Hamster)
April 2026
“Muito atenciosos e educados. Todos foram excepcionais, principalmente a menina que me atendeu na recepção, e a veterinária. O cuidado com a minha gatinha, sempre muito pacientes e prestativos, disseram-me toda a informação que eu precisava de saber.”
Karen Farias
March 2026
“Excelentes profissionais e a clínica é muito tranquila. Sem tempos de espera. Conseguem aliar o rigor científico ao cuidado afectuoso. Agradeço a toda a equipa que atendeu a Ba e a Bel no sábado. Chegaram tranquilas a casa e estiveram sem nenhuma queixa. Apreciei tudo e recomendo.”
Cristina de O. Alves
January 2026
Frequently asked questions
Let us clear everything up, openly
How do I book my dog's spay?
Book a pre-surgical consultation and mention that it is for spaying a female dog. Surgery is never scheduled without that prior assessment. If you go ahead with us, the cost of the consultation is deducted from the procedure.
Do you perform laparoscopic spays?
Yes. In a female dog, a laparoscopic spay is done through two or three incisions a few millimetres long instead of opening the abdominal wall. The difference shows mostly afterwards: less pain, a lower risk of wound complications and a quicker return to normal activity. We assess at the pre-surgical consultation whether it is the right route in your case.
What is the best age to spay a female dog?
It depends mainly on size. In small breeds it is usually possible to do it early, while in large breeds there is an argument for waiting until growth is complete, because of the effect of hormones on the joints. Since the benefit against mammary tumours falls with every season, this is a decision to take case by case at the consultation.
Is it better to let her have a litter first?
There is no health benefit to having a litter before spaying. It is a widely held idea, but medically what we know points the other way: the more seasons that pass, the lower the protection against mammary tumours.
Can it be done while she is in season?
We prefer to avoid it. During a season the uterus and the ovaries carry a much richer blood supply, which increases the risk of bleeding. The usual approach is to wait a few weeks after the season ends.
How long does recovery take?
She is usually bright again within a few days, but because it is abdominal surgery the rest continues until the stitches come out. During that period: short lead walks, no running or jumping, and stopping her licking the wound.
Will she put on weight after spaying?
Energy requirements drop after spaying, so the same amount of food becomes too much. With an adjusted portion and the same exercise, she does not have to gain weight. We adjust her diet with you at the follow-up.
Is it a dangerous operation?
It is one of the most frequently performed operations in veterinary medicine and the risk is low, though not zero, as with any anaesthetic. Reducing it is exactly why we run blood tests beforehand and monitor the anaesthetic continuously.
What is the difference from neutering a male dog?
They are different operations. In a female it is abdominal surgery, with a longer recovery. In a male the approach is external, the procedure is shorter and recovery is quicker. We have a page dedicated to dog neutering.
Select “Pre-surgical consultation” in the form.
Our Pet Friendly Clinic in Porto
Book your pet's appointment
Every pet is different: we assess the case before setting a plan, and costs are explained before going ahead.
Select “Pre-surgical consultation” in the form.