What is a Laparoscopic Spay?
A laparoscopic spay is a minimally invasive alternative to the traditional spay procedure. It involves making two small incisions in the abdomen through which a camera and surgical instruments are inserted to remove the ovaries (also known as an ovariectomy). The uterus is generally left in place, and does not affect long-term health (in a traditional spay this is known as an ovariohysterectomy)
What are the benefits of a Laparoscopic Spay?
✔ Smaller incisions – Less tissue trauma compared to traditional surgery.
✔ Reduced post-operative pain – Many dogs experience less discomfort, meaning a quicker recovery.
✔ Faster healing – Shorter rest period compared to a traditional spay, often requiring only a few days of restricted exercise in comparison to two weeks.
✔ Lower risk of complications – Reduced chance of wound infections or breakdown due to the smaller incision size.
✔ Improved visibility for the surgeon – The use of a camera allows for precise surgical technique.
How much does a Laparoscopic Spay cost?
There is an additional charge of £300 on top of the price of a traditional spay – which is determined by the size of your dog. This is to cover the extra costs of the advanced laparoscopic equipment and the training required.
Small dog (0-10kg) £285.00 + £300 lap spay supplement
Medium Dog (10-25kg) £338.00 + £300 lap spay supplement
Large Dog (25-40kg) £350.00 + £300 lap spay supplement
Big Dog (40+kg) £380.00 + £300 lap spay supplement
When can I book my dog in for a laparoscopic spay?
We advise carrying out a lap spay the same timings as a traditional spay – which is halfway between a bitch’s seasons, when the reproducing hormones are at the lowest, the reproductive tract is at its smallest and therefore, procedure at it’s safest.
We are now taking bookings for any weekday, at our Truro branch.
How much hair will be clipped for the procedure?
Due to the positioning of the instruments, a slightly larger clip area is required on both sides and the abdomen to ensure the area is clean for surgery. However, this hair should grow back within 6 weeks.
Is it safe to leave the uterus behind?
Many studies have been performed looking into the risk of leaving the uterus behind. So long as the ovaries are fully removed, there is no benefit to the patient of removing the uterus. In order to develop pyometra, hormones are required, which come from the ovaries. Therefore, without ovaries, it is not possible to develop these conditions. If we see that the uterus looks abnormal during the procedure, we may be able to remove it laparoscopically or may advise converting to open surgery to do so.
What is the difference between ovariectomy and ovariohysterectomy long term?
The effect of both surgeries is the same. Spayed females will not have seasons, cannot become pregnant, and will not develop false pregnancies. Spayed animals cannot develop life-threatening uterine infections (pyometra) or ovarian tumours. In addition, spaying a female dog before her third season has been proven to reduce the risk of developing mammary cancers later in life.
