Laproscopic Spay

apololaceymom · 11-02-2012, 08:22 AM

Lacey is scheduled for her spay 11/23, she is 15 months and has had one heat cycle.
One of the women at our agility class had her dog (a havanese mix) done laproscopically, and gave me the vet's name.
I am very excited about this, but wonder if anyone here had it done.
They only remove the ovaries, and leave the uterus. I was concerned about cancer, and pyometra, and was assured that after the ovaries are removed, there is little to no risk of this, as the hormones are gone.
There are only 2 TINY incisions made, and the ovarian ligaments are cut from the uterine wall, rather than torn from the wall in a traditional spay. This causes much less brusising and pain. The recovery time is much faster and less painful.
I am hoping someone else here has had this done and can pass on some information on how it went!!
Being a nurse, I know how great it is for our human pts. and I actually had laproscopic surgery myself, and was back to work in 2 weeks... very little pain!

lanabanana · 11-02-2012, 09:03 AM

Please come back and report, as I've not heard of this. It should be amazing because as you say, it revolutionized surgery in humans. Can't imagine it'll be any different in canines.

Beau's mom · 11-02-2012, 09:11 AM

Sounds good to me, too! The least trauma is always the best. Please let us know how Lacey makes out.

Sparkle · 11-02-2012, 10:00 AM

Maybe Kallie's spay surgery was exceptional, but she only had 3 little stitches & very hard to keep her from jumping the following day. By day 3 she was doing her RLH. No stopping her.

Tuss · 11-02-2012, 01:49 PM

One of my friends is a vet. I am a human surgeon and do a lot of laparoscopic surgery. My vet friend is learning to do laparoscopic spay surgery. Recovery should be faster, however with laparoscopic surgery their are risks that open surgery doens't have.

THe questions I would ask are:

1.How many has the vet done. (get the total number but also ask how many in small dogs. Cats are different than dogs and big dogs are different that small).

2. what are the complication rates and what their personal complication rates are.

3. would they want it for their own dog.

My dog had her spay the old fashioned way... just sayin'... She also was back to normal the next day (though i did TRY to limit her activity for the recommended 10 days, it was a challenge).

apololaceymom · 11-02-2012, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuss

One of my friends is a vet. I am a human surgeon and do a lot of laparoscopic surgery. My vet friend is learning to do laparoscopic spay surgery. Recovery should be faster, however with laparoscopic surgery their are risks that open surgery doens't have.

THe questions I would ask are:

1.How many has the vet done. (get the total number but also ask how many in small dogs. Cats are different than dogs and big dogs are different that small).

2. what are the complication rates and what their personal complication rates are.

3. would they want it for their own dog.

My dog had her spay the old fashioned way... just sayin'... She also was back to normal the next day (though i did TRY to limit her activity for the recommended 10 days, it was a challenge).

Thanks, great questions to ask!!! This is not my regular vet, he was recommended by a friend that had her dog spayed by him. I went there last evening for the blood work. I do know that he does not do traditional spay any more. The usual risks were explained, risk of nicking other organs, bleeding, infection, etc. I will ask the complication rate also.

Kathie · 11-02-2012, 10:48 PM

Kathy, is their a difference in the cost of the laparoscopic vs. the regular spay?

apololaceymom · 11-03-2012, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kathie

Kathy, is their a difference in the cost of the laparoscopic vs. the regular spay?

Yes, it is more expensive by several hundred dollars. I am sure it's because of the cost of the laprascope, and the tools that go with it. Worth it to me!!! My vet is old fashioned, and does a large incision with stitches. I love my vet, but prefer this method for my girl. Blaze will be neutered by my vet, the old fashioned way!!! lol

Tom King · 11-03-2012, 07:49 AM

We have had such good success, and no problems (other than keeping them from playing when they come back), that I wouldn't change how we have it done. Our Vet is very experienced, has never lost a dog, does a small incision, recovery is a non-issue, and cost is less than a hundred dollars. I think the total cost for the last one was $80.

apololaceymom · 11-04-2012, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom King

We have had such good success, and no problems (other than keeping them from playing when they come back), that I wouldn't change how we have it done. Our Vet is very experienced, has never lost a dog, does a small incision, recovery is a non-issue, and cost is less than a hundred dollars. I think the total cost for the last one was $80.

I guess being a nurse, and having had laprascopic surgery twice, I know how much better it is in general than an open procedure. However, this is only my second female dog. Apolo had a reaction to the sutures when he was neutered, he had an undescended testicle, and needed an incision in his abdomen to remove it. He was VERY uncomfortable, and despite all our efforts, he removed the sutures himself, and had a very sore, angry looking incision. I will let you all know how it turns out, and if I think it is really better than an open procedure!!!