At Orchard House Veterinary Centres, we promise to care for your pet as if they were our pets. This includes having the most up to date and effective medical and surgical procedures available for our patients. Our Veterinary Surgeon Dr Alex Hirst BSc, BVSc, MRCVS has a special interest in laparoscopic surgery and he is supported by our Registered Veterinary Nurses to provide high quality care.
We are one of very few Veterinary practices in the North of England to offer Laparoscopic surgery and are happy to take referral cases from other practices. If you are a Veterinary Surgeon and would like to refer a case, please visit our referrals page for more information.
What is Laparoscopic Surgery?
Laparoscopy is a type of surgical procedure that allows a Vet to access the inside of the abdomen (tummy) without having to make large incisions in the skin.
This procedure is also known as keyhole surgery or minimally invasive surgery. Large incisions can be avoided during laparoscopy because the surgeon uses an instrument called a laparoscope. This is a small tube that has a light source and a camera, which relays images of the inside of the abdomen or pelvis to a television monitor.
The advantages of this technique over traditional open surgery include:
- a shorter hospital stay and faster recovery time
- less pain and bleeding after the operation
- reduced scarring
Laparoscopy is carried out under general anaesthetic, so your pet won’t feel any pain during the procedure. During laparoscopy, the Vet makes one or more small incisions in the abdomen. These allow the Vet to insert the laparoscope, small surgical tools, and a tube used to pump gas into the abdomen. This makes it easier for the Vet to look around and operate. After the procedure, the gas is let out of the abdomen, the incisions are closed using stitches.
Procedures that are suitable for laparoscopy include; neutering, retained testicle removal, biopsy procedures, abdominal exploration, gastropexy and cystotomy.
The main benefits of keyhole surgery are:
QUICKER HEALING/RECOVERY TIME
SMALLER INCISIONS
Less post-operative pain and discomfort, your pet is more comfortable post surgery.
What is a Laparoscopic Ovariectomy?
A Laparoscopic Ovariectomy is performed by placing a camera and specialised instruments through three small incisions in the abdomen. During a keyhole bitch spay often the two ovaries are removed (called an ovariectomy), however in some rare cases the whole uterus needs to be removed along with both ovaries (ovariohysterectomy). There is no evidence that leaving the uterus behind results in any increased risk of incontinence or womb infection in the future when compared to conventional surgery.
We are extremely proud to be one of only a handful of practices in Northern England who can perform this surgery. This service is now available to clients of Orchard House Vets and we also accept referral cases from other veterinary practices.
What can I Expect if my Pet is Treated for a Laparoscopic Ovariectomy?
Pets having a laparoscopic spay should be starved from 10pm the night before surgery with free access to water the time of admission to the hospital. The surgery is normally performed in the morning, and on the day of the procedure you will need to book an early appointment to see the Vet who will be performing the surgery. Your pet should be able to go home in the afternoon/evening, usually between 4 and 6pm. These procedures are performed on certain days of the week, but not every day.
Those patients referred from other practices need to come with a full medical history from your vet and a letter from your vet stating that they are in agreement with the referral for neutering. At the time of discharge you will receive a detailed post-operative care sheet, and your vet will be sent information regarding your pet’s procedure and post-operative care requirements.
A visit to your vet is generally recommended two to three days after the procedure in order to check your dog or progress.
As with humans undergoing laparoscopic surgery, we do ask that we are given permission to convert to a more conventional approach during the procedure if necessary. This is only required in the unlikely event that unforeseen circumstances arise which result in the risks to your pet being reduced by converting to conventional surgery.
What clients say about our Keyhole services
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