Study for the Veterinary Assistant Test. Practice with multiple choice questions, review materials with insights, and understand key concepts to ace your exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


What is an ovariohysterectomy?

  1. removal of the ovaries and uterus

  2. a surgical procedure to examine the abdomen

  3. the act of movement toward the midline

  4. the placement of a needle into the bladder

The correct answer is: removal of the ovaries and uterus

An ovariohysterectomy is defined as the surgical removal of both the ovaries and the uterus. This procedure is commonly performed in female animals as a means of sterilization, to prevent unwanted pregnancies, and to reduce the risk of certain health issues such as pyometra and ovarian cancer. The operation typically involves an incision in the abdomen, allowing the surgeon to access and remove these reproductive organs. Understanding this term is particularly important for veterinary assistants as it relates directly to surgical procedures they may observe or assist with, as well as providing appropriate post-operative care and education to pet owners regarding the implications of the procedure for their animals’ health and behavior. It is essential to recognize that this procedure is distinct from other surgical operations like exploratory surgeries, directional movements, or bladder interventions, which do not pertain to the removal of reproductive organs.