Spays (ovariohysterectomies) are among the most frequent procedures in small-animal practice, so most clinics keep dedicated veterinary spay packs. A well-designed veterinary spay pack contains everything needed for the procedure, laid out the same way every time.
Note
Instrument preferences vary between vets and techniques. Use this list as a starting point and adjust it with your surgical team.
A typical veterinary spay pack#
| Instrument | Typical quantity | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Scalpel handle No. 3 | 1 | Skin and linea incision |
| Spay hook (Snook or Covault) | 1 | Locating the uterine horn |
| Rochester-Carmalt forceps | 2 to 3 | Clamping ovarian and uterine pedicles |
| Mosquito or Kelly hemostats | 2 to 4 | Clamping small vessels |
| Olsen-Hegar needle holder | 1 | Suturing and cutting sutures |
| Metzenbaum and Mayo scissors | 1 each | Dissection and cutting |
| Brown-Adson or Adson forceps | 1 to 2 | Handling tissue |
| Towel clamps | 4 | Securing drapes |
Key instruments explained#
The spay hook has a smooth, blunt hook that is passed along the abdominal wall to lift the uterine horn through a small incision. Rochester-Carmalt forceps have longitudinal jaw serrations with cross-hatching at the tips, which help hold vascular pedicles securely. The Olsen-Hegar needle holder lets a vet working alone tie and cut sutures without changing instruments.
Keeping spay packs consistent#
Pack checklist
- Use a written pack list and the same layout for every pack.
- Count instruments before and after each procedure.
- Keep spare spay hooks and Carmalt forceps; they are easily lost or worn.
- Inspect needle holder jaws and scissors regularly.
Frequently asked questions#
Are Carmalt forceps different from Kelly forceps?#
Yes. Rochester-Carmalt forceps have longitudinal serrations designed to hold pedicles securely, while Kelly forceps have transverse serrations.
Which spay hook is better, Snook or Covault?#
Both work well; the choice is mostly a matter of preference. Covault hooks are slightly larger.
How many spay packs does a clinic need?#
Enough for a busy surgery day plus the time needed to reprocess packs.
Order veterinary spay pack instruments from Gami Surgical#
Gami Surgical manufactures the instruments for veterinary spay packs in Sialkot, Pakistan, and delivers worldwide. Send us your pack list for a quote.
