Spay/Neuter

Unless you are a professional breeder, we highly recommend spaying and neutering your pets. There are health benefits for a spayed or neutered pet, and it helps with pet overpopulation. Some benefits to spaying and neutering:

Helps dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives
Spay surgery eliminates possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer, reduces the incidence of breast cancer, and rules out the possibility of pyometra, a bacterial infection of the uterus-- a serious medical emergency
Neutering eliminates testicular cancer, and decreases occurrence of prostate disease
Neutered male dogs have fewer behavioral problems such as roaming and aggression than intact males
Overall, spaying and neutering can reduce undesirable behaviors in our pets, enhancing our bond with them, and affording them a nicer quality of life.

About Laparoscopic Ovariectomy

Spay surgery for females is available via the traditional abdominal approach, and as of 2006, as a laparoscopic procedure. Talk to your veterinarian about the best procedure for your companion. Learn about the laparoscopic procedure below.

Now, “belly button surgery” is an available alternative for surgical spaying. Called laparoscopic ovariectomy, this is a less-invasive alternative to traditional removal of the ovaries and uterus (“OHE”). This method of spay requires just two tiny incisions rather than major abdominal surgery required for OHE. The main advantage of this less invasive procedure is reduced pain and stress. A study conducted in 2005 compared the duration, complications, stress and pain associated with laparoscopic versus traditional OHE and found that laparoscopic procedures caused less pain, stress and a quicker recovery time.

What happens during the procedure?
During a laparoscopic ovariectomy, a small video scope is inserted into the abdomen thorough a small 5 mm to 10 mm incision. A second 5 mm to 10 mm incision is made to introduce instruments to assist in surgically removing the ovaries. A unique instrument called a Ligasure is used to seal the tissues and blood vessels around the ovary. The ovary is then removed through the port. The other ovary is removed in similar fashion and the small incisions are closed with absorbable sutures and tissue glue.

How is it different from a traditional OHE?
During a traditional ovariohysterectomy (OHE) a 40 mm to 70 mm incision is made along the abdomen to expose the internal organs. The ligament holding the ovaries in the abdomen is manually torn to elevate and expose the ovaries. The ovaries are then tied with suture. The ligament holding the uterus in place is torn and the uterus is ligated with sutures. The ovaries and uterus are then removed and the incision is sutured closed.

How long does a laparoscopic ovariectomy take?
Surgery time varies depending on the size of the patient and the ease of which the ovaries can be removed. Surgery time is generally 25 to 35 minutes. By comparison, a traditional ovariohysterectomy (OHE) generally takes 20 to 30 minutes.

What are the advantages of laparoscopic surgery?
The main advantage of the less invasive laparoscopic procedure is reduced pain and stress. A study conducted in 2005 compared the duration, complications, stress and pain associated with laparoscopic versus traditional OHE and found that laparoscopic procedures caused less pain and stress. The duration of surgery and the complication rates were similar with both procedures. Complications are rare with either procedure.

What are the disadvantages?
Laparoscopic surgeries cost a little more due to the additional training required by the surgeon and the significant investment in equipment including the scopes, video monitors, ports, specially designed laparoscopic instruments and the Ligasure device.

Is the post-op care and length of recovery different?
There are no sutures to remove following a laparoscopic ovariectomy. We still recommend restricting activity for one week following surgery and monitoring the incisions for signs of redness, swelling or discharge. Recovery times are shorter for laparoscopic surgery.

How much does it cost?
Laparoscopic ovariectomy surgery costs approximately $200 more than a traditional OHE. Costs for other laparoscopic procedures vary by procedure. Your surgeon can provide an estimate during the initial consultation.

Sources

1. LigaSure vessel sealing system, Valleylab, Boulder, CO. www.ligasure.com
2. Devitt, CM, Cox RE, Hailey JJ. Duration, complications, stress, and pain of open ovariohysterectomy versus a simple method of laparoscopic-assisted ovariohysterectomy in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2005;117:921-927.

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