According to one study, around 54.5 percent of people with dogs believe that the traditional surgical spay is best. However, more people are requesting less-invasive spay procedures such as laparoscopic spay. If you have a pet that needs this procedure, learn about the benefits of a laparoscopic spay.
1. Laparoscopy Gives Enhanced Views
Laparoscopic spay is also known as keyhole, endoscopic, or video surgery. This offers veterinary surgeons an inside view of a dog’s reproductive system and internal organs. To perform the surgery, your veterinarian makes two small incisions into the abdomen. Then, the veterinarian places ports for the cameras and surgical equipment that will be used to guide while performing the procedure.
Your dog’s abdomen will be 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.
Any surgical spay carries a small risk of damage to the dog’s ureters and other internal body parts. With a laparoscopic spay procedure, the surgical site is magnified. The enhanced visualization allows the veterinarian to spay your dog with greater precision and care.
When your dog’s veterinarian is able to clearly see all of the separate vessels and organs during the surgery, it’s safer for your dog. Smaller dogs and younger puppies who undergo spay surgeries benefit from a laparoscopic approach. This is because the smaller dogs’ organs and vessels are tinier than those in larger dogs.
2. A Laparoscopic Spay Is Less Invasive
Your dog will undergo one large abdominal incisions in a traditional spay. Whereas, in a laparoscopic spay there are two small incisions. As you can see, one of the big differences between the two procedures is the size and number of incisions.
A traditional spay requires a 2-4 inch long incisions. Compare that to a lap spay that requires two separate incisions that are each only one-fifth-inch to two-fifth-inches long. You can see why laparoscopy is considered less invasive.
Your dog benefits from a laparoscopic spay compared to a traditional spay in the following ways:
- Lowered post-op pain
- Less bruising at surgical site
- Less trauma to organs
- Fewer complications from surgery
- Enhanced ability for veterinarian to note other problems
The post-operative recovery is usually much easier and less painful on a patient who has had a laparoscopic spay. Your pet will be feeling like their normal self faster when they have a smaller incision.
3. A Laparoscopic Spay Removes Only the Ovaries
In traditional spay, aka overiohysterectomy, the surgeon removes the ovaries and the uterus. This is more invasive and can be more painful.
In a laparoscopic spay, aka ovariectomy, only the ovaries are removed. Fewer surgical cuts are made to the dog’s reproductive organs which means less bleeding and trauma.
Your dog’s veterinarian can explain the differences between the procedures to you in more detail if you aren’t sure which procedure is best for your dog.
Be a responsible pet owner and schedule a spay or neuter procedure for your dog or puppy. For the highest level of care before, during, and after your dog’s surgery, contact 1st Pet Veterinary Centers today. We offer this service at our Chandler location, call us to schedule today.
