Veterinarians recommend spay surgery for dogs and cats because the procedure significantly reduces the risk of serious reproductive conditions, potentially adding healthy years to your furry pal’s life. The traditional spay involves removing a pet’s ovaries and uterus through a medium to large abdominal incision; however, today’s pet owners have more options. Minimally invasive spay procedures, such as the laparoscopic ovariectomy offered by Aloha Veterinary Hospital, offer the same benefits as traditional surgery without unnecessary pain and prolonged recovery.

Most pet owners are familiar with the idea of spay surgery, but they assume because the procedure is performed on a daily basis, it must be a minor or routine process. In reality, spay surgery is a major procedure that involves opening a pet’s abdomen and manipulating their organs. Our team explains what happens on surgery day for female pets and the differences between traditional and minimally invasive spays.

Pet spay surgery preparations

Because spay surgery requires general anesthesia, your four-legged friend will undergo a thorough preanesthetic evaluation before surgery day. This includes a complete physical examination and blood tests to check heart, liver, and kidney function. Most spay procedures are performed on young dogs who have not yet undergone anesthesia, so the screening process is essential to reduce surprises. Occasionally, our team may find a congenital organ problem or a brewing infection that should be addressed before your pet has surgery.

After you drop your pet off the morning of their procedure, the team gets to work preparing them for surgery. We administer a light sedative, place an intravenous (IV) catheter, and induce anesthesia. Once your pet is completely asleep and stable, we prepare the surgery site by shaving hair from your pet’s belly and scrubbing their skin with antibacterial solutions. After preparing the site, the veterinarian can begin the surgical procedure while the technician team monitors your pet’s vital signs.

Traditional versus laparoscopic pet spay procedures

During a traditional spay surgery, the surgeon creates an incision in the middle of the abdomen—just below the belly button—and carefully cuts through each tissue layer until they reach the abdominal cavity. Next, they locate the pet’s uterus and ovaries using an instrument called a spay hook, which grabs the Y-shaped organ. After tearing through the ligaments and tissues holding the ovaries in place, the blood supply to each is tied off with a suture and they are carefully removed. In most cases, the surgeon also will remove the uterus in a similar manner. Closure is performed in three layers and requires multiple sutures.

During a laparoscopic ovariectomy (LOVE) spay, the surgeon creates one to three small incisions, about a centimeter long. Through the main incision, they insert the laparoscope, which houses a magnifying camera and light source. This allows them to see inside the abdomen in great detail and, because bleeding is minimal, they can quickly locate the ovaries without disturbing other organs. The surgeon then inserts additional instruments through the other incisions and uses them to grasp, suture, cauterize, and carefully remove each ovary. The procedure involves significantly less bleeding and tissue trauma than a traditional spay, resulting in less pain and fewer potential complications. 

Traditional versus laparoscopic pet spay recovery

Recovery from traditional spay surgery takes about 10 to 14 days, during which many pets experience pain and discomfort related to the tissue tearing and trauma inside their abdomen caused by the procedure. In contrast, LOVE spay recovery takes only seven to 10 days, and pets experience around 65% less pain. Pets require fewer pain medications and a shorter period of activity restriction after LOVE spay, compared to a traditional procedure.

Not all pets are good candidates for LOVE spay, especially those who are too small to accommodate the laparoscopic instruments. Occasionally, a pet undergoing a LOVE spay will experience excessive bleeding or the surgeon will have difficulty locating the ovaries, necessitating conversion to a traditional procedure. Although we prefer to perform LOVE spays whenever possible, traditional procedures are appropriate for many pets and both will lead to the same result.

Sterilizing your female pet has many benefits, but major surgeries can come with complications. Reduce your pet’s risk for postoperative issues by choosing a minimally invasive LOVE spay performed by the Aloha Veterinary Hospital team. For more information about laparoscopic surgical procedures or to determine whether your pet is a candidate for LOVE spay, contact our team to schedule a visit and consultation.