Introducing Laparoscopic Spay & More!

Laparoscopic spay, also known as a keyhole or endoscopic surgery, is a great alternative to the traditional spay. The Lap Spay offers the veterinarian an inside view of a dog’s reproductive system and internal organs. This translates into better visibility for the veterinarian, minimizing anesthesia time and potential complications.  Any surgical spay carries a small risk of damage to the dog’s ureters and other internal body parts. The laparoscopic spay has been proven to minimize surgical complications.

To perform the surgery, two small incisions are made into the abdomen. Then, the veterinarian places ports for the cameras and surgical equipment that will be used while performing the procedure.

The dog’s abdomen is filled with CO2 gas to offer a better view of the organs and vessels inside the abdominal cavity. A narrow video scope is inserted in the surgical port to capture digital images. The displayed images guide the surgical team as they remove the dog’s ovaries. The enhanced visualization allows the veterinarian to spay your dog with greater precision and care.

When the veterinarian can clearly see all the separate vessels and organs during the surgery, it is safer for your dog. Smaller dogs and younger puppies who undergo spay surgeries benefit from a laparoscopic approach because the dogs’ organs and vessels are smaller than those in larger dogs.

In a traditional spay, dogs have one 2-4-inch abdominal incision. Compare that to a lap spay that requires two separate incisions that are each only one-fifth to two-fifth inches long.  This key difference is why laparoscopy is considered less invasive.

In traditional ovariohysterectomy, the surgeon removes the ovaries and the uterus. This is more invasive and can be more painful. In a laparoscopic spay, or ovariectomy, only the ovaries are removed. Fewer surgical cuts are made to the dog’s reproductive organs which means less bleeding and surgical trauma. Dogs benefit from a laparoscopic spay compared to a traditional spay in the following ways:

  • Fewer complications from surgery
  • Lowered post-operative pain
  • Less bruising at surgical site
  • Less trauma to organs
  • Reduced risk of hemorrhaging and infection
  • Reduces anesthesia time
  • Minimized scarring
  • Enhanced ability for veterinarian to note other problems

The post-operative recovery is usually much easier (up to 65% faster) and less painful on a patient who has had a laparoscopic spay. Pets feel like their normal self-sooner when they have a smaller incision, in fact recovery time is usually cut down to two days rather than two weeks.

Laparoscopic procedures offered at Mohnacky Animal Hospital of Carlsbad include:

  • Ovariectomy (Lap Spay)
  • Gastropexy – a preventive surgical procedure in which the stomach is sutured to the inside body wall to prevent the stomach from being able to twist in large dogs who are predisposed to a condition known as GDV (Gastric dilation-Volvulus), a.k.a. Bloat accompanied by twisting of the stomach.
  • Organ Biopsy (liver, pancreas, spleen, kidney, lymph nodes)
  • Abdominal Exploratory
  • Cryptorchid Neuter (one or both testes in abdomen)

Learn more by viewing these videos: