Spaying in Rats

What is spaying?

Spaying is a surgery that prevents a female rat from becoming pregnant. In one type of spay, called an ovariohysterectomy, the veterinarian removes both ovaries and the uterus. In another type, called an ovariectomy, the veterinarian removes only the ovaries.

Why should I have my rat spayed?

There are behavioral and health benefits associated with spaying your rat. 

Avoid unwanted pregnancies. Unspayed rats breed often, and female rats can give birth to 7 to 20 babies at a time. They can reproduce again within days of giving birth. Although raising baby rats might be a wonderful family experience, finding homes for the new rats may be more challenging than you anticipate. 

Reduce the risk of certain cancers. Spaying at an early age eliminates the risk of ovarian and uterine cancer and significantly reduces the risk of breast and pituitary gland cancers in rats. Breast cancer is extremely common in pet rats. If the uterus is removed, the rat cannot develop a uterine infection (pyometra) or a uterine tumor.

Reduce hormone-induced behaviors. Spayed rats are less likely to display undesirable, hormone-induced behaviors such as mounting and aggression. Spayed rats also tend to be calmer and easier to handle because they are not experiencing the stresses of sexual frustration.

When should I have my rat spayed?

Most rats are spayed between two and four months of age. Spaying at a younger age helps reduce the risk of mammary gland tumors because it limits the rat’s exposure to hormones produced in the ovaries.

What does spay surgery involve?

Spay surgery is done under general anesthesia. Rats are typically not fasted the night before surgery, as dogs and cats often are. Rats graze throughout the day rather than eating meals, and their metabolism and digestion are much faster than those of most larger mammals.

Before surgery, your veterinarian will perform a physical examination on your rat and may recommend preanesthetic blood tests. These tests allow your veterinarian to assess your rat’s overall health and determine whether they are a good candidate for anesthesia. If the tests show any abnormalities, your veterinarian may adjust your pet’s pre-surgical or post-surgical treatment plan or, in some cases, reschedule the procedure.

Your pet’s abdomen will be shaved and the skin cleaned with an antiseptic solution to prepare for surgery. To perform an ovariohysterectomy, your veterinarian will make a small incision along the middle of the underside (ventral aspect) of the abdomen and remove both ovaries and the uterus. To perform an ovariectomy, your veterinarian will make a small incision on each side of the abdomen, just behind the last rib, and remove only the ovaries. 

The surgical incision will be closed with several layers of fine, absorbent, suture material that dissolves and does not need to be removed. Most rats go home 24 to 48 hours after surgery.

What postoperative care will my rat need?

Your rat will likely be given pain medication at the hospital and may be sent home with several days’ worth of pain medication. Keep your pet in a clean, quiet environment and try to minimize excessive running, jumping, or hard play that may interfere with healing.

Separate your rat from any others at home for 2 to 3 days to minimize chewing or excessive cleaning of the surgical site by the other rats.

Offer food as usual. Your rat should be eating and drinking normally within 12 to 24 hours of the operation. If your rat is not eating well, you may need to syringe feed them according to your veterinarian’s instructions.

Check your rat and the incision several times daily and report any concerns about changes in behavior, appetite, drinking, urination, or defecation to your veterinarian. Occasionally, rats will chew at the surgical site and open the surgical wound. This needs immediate veterinary attention. Your veterinarian may also want to check how the incision is healing 7 to 10 days after your rat goes home.

Are complications common with spaying?

Complications are rare with this surgery. However, as with any procedure involving anesthesia, there is always a small risk. To minimize the risk, it is important to follow all your veterinarian’s instructions before surgery and report any signs of illness or previous medical conditions. Potential complications may include:

• Anesthetic reaction. Any animal may have an unexpected adverse reaction to any drug or anesthetic. These reactions cannot be foreseen but are extremely rare.
• Internal bleeding. This may occur from cutting and manipulating internal organs and blood vessels. Postoperative internal bleeding is very rare and is more likely to occur if your rat is too active in the days following the surgery. Signs to watch for include weakness, pale gums, listlessness, lack of appetite, or a swollen abdomen. If you see any of these signs in your rat, she should be checked by a veterinarian immediately.
• Postoperative infection. Although rare, infection may occur internally, where organs and blood vessels were handled, or externally, around the incision site. Infection typically can be managed with antibiotics and warm compresses applied to the incision if it is swollen. Infections usually occur when a rat licks the surgical site excessively or is kept in a damp, dirty environment. Check the surgical site several times daily for swelling, redness, reopening, and the presence of pus or other discharge.
• Suture reaction or sterile abscess formation. Some animals may have a reaction to certain types of suture material used during surgery, although this is extremely rare. Draining wounds or channels under the skin may appear up to several weeks after surgery. Further procedures may be required to remove the suture material and correct the issue.

If you notice or suspect any of these complications, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Do not delay or try to treat these issues at home.

Will spaying have any adverse effects on my rat?

Most rats experience no adverse effects after spaying. Spaying is generally recommended for all healthy, young rats to prevent future health problems. There are many myths and beliefs about spaying that are not supported by facts or research. If fed a proper diet, your pet rat will not become fat and lazy after being spayed.