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March 2025 Newsletter
18 March 2025
Laparoscopic Spey Surgery
Laparoscopic (Keyhole) Spey Surgery
At Lanes Vets, we are pleased to offer laparoscopic spey surgery, a modern, minimally invasive alternative to the traditional open spey. Just as keyhole surgery has become the standard for many human operations due to its precision and reduced recovery time, we are proud to provide the same level of care for our canine patients.
Why choose a keyhole spey?
Keyhole surgery offers a superior recovery for every dog but is particularly beneficial for big, active dogs, who would otherwise require a larger incision and a longer period of restricted rest.
This minimally invasive technique ensures less discomfort and a quicker return to exercise for all our patients and is available for all dogs weighing over 10kg. For patients between 5kg and 10kg, suitability for the procedure will depend on your dog’s specific breed and build. Our team is always happy to discuss whether this modern approach is the right fit for your pet.
The key advantages include:
Just as keyhole surgery has advantages in humans, the same opportunity now exists for our pets.
Keyhole surgery is a minimally invasive surgery, involving passing a camera and specialised instruments through tiny incisions in the body wall.
There are a number of advantages compared to a traditional bitch spay:
- Greatly reduced pain: Patients are significantly more comfortable immediately following the procedure.
- Tiny incisions: Rather than a 6cm to 15cm wound, the surgery is performed through two tiny incisions, typically between 0.5cm and 1.2cm.
- Faster recovery: Most dogs are back to their normal exercise routine within 3 days, whereas a traditional spey usually requires 10 to 14 days of strict rest.
- No external stitches: We use absorbable sutures hidden under the skin and surgical glue. This means there are no stitches for your dog to chew, usually removing the need for a buster collar.
- Increased safety: The use of a high-definition camera, known as a laparoscope, gives the surgeon a magnified view of the internal organs, allowing for a safer and more precise procedure.
The Procedure
During the operation, the surgeon removes the ovaries using slender, specialised instruments. We use advanced cautery to seal the blood vessels, which is more secure than traditional thread ligatures.
Because we use a camera to navigate, a slightly wider area of fur will be clipped on your dog’s abdomen and sides to ensure the surgical site is completely sterile. This grows back quickly once they are home.
Transparent, Fixed-Fee Pricing
We believe in clear communication and peace of mind. Our tiered pricing is based on the patient’s weight and is fully inclusive.
| Patient Weight | Standard Fixed Fee | VIP / Platinum members rate |
|---|---|---|
| 10kg to 25kg | £650 | £585 |
| 25kg to 45kg | £769 | £692.10 |
| Over 45kg | £878 | £790.20 |
Small Patients:
While our standard tiers begin at 10kg, we can often accommodate smaller patients (down to 5kg) depending on their breed. Please contact us directly to discuss your dog’s specific needs.
Why choose a keyhole spey?
Our fixed fee covers every aspect of your pet’s care:
• Consultations: A pre-operative health check with a vet and a post-operative nurse review 2–3 days later.
• Clinical Care: Continuous IV fluid therapy, active warming, and advanced anaesthesia monitoring (ECG, oxygen levels, and blood pressure).
• One-to-One Nursing: A dedicated nurse stays with your dog through preparation, anaesthesia, and the entire recovery period.
• Post-Op Essentials: All pain relief (both during surgery and for the first two days at home) and a buster collar (though these are rarely needed!).
• Clinical Care: Continuous IV fluid therapy, active warming, and advanced anaesthesia monitoring (ECG, oxygen levels, and blood pressure).
• One-to-One Nursing: A dedicated nurse stays with your dog through preparation, anaesthesia, and the entire recovery period.
• Post-Op Essentials: All pain relief (both during surgery and for the first two days at home) and a buster collar (though these are rarely needed!).
Please note: Pre-operative blood work is not included and is available for £65 (inc. VAT) upon request.
Open to non-registered clients
We are pleased to offer our keyhole surgery service to everyone, including those not currently registered with Lanes Vets. If your usual practice does not offer laparoscopic speying, you are very welcome to come to us for this procedure.
Please contact our team for more information. To ensure the best possible care, we will need to review your dog’s medical history.
Once you have given your current vet permission to do so, they will be able to send these records over to us directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any further questions, or want to book in, please give your local Lanes Vets branch a call!
Yes. The use of a specialised camera provides the surgeon with a clear, magnified view of the internal organs on a high-definition monitor. This allows for a very controlled and precise procedure. Because the incisions are so small, there is also a significantly lower risk of post-operative bruising or wound complications compared to traditional surgery.
Most owners find the extra cost worthwhile for the faster, more comfortable recovery. While a traditional spay involves a larger incision and a longer healing period, keyhole patients are typically back to their normal energy levels within a few days. Furthermore, because the tiny incisions do not cause the same irritation as a larger wound, a protective cone is not usually required after the procedure.
Keyhole surgery is the recommended choice for dogs over 10kg. For dogs weighing between 5kg and 10kg, suitability is assessed on an individual basis depending on their breed and build. If your dog is in this weight bracket, we can advise you during a consultation whether the keyhole approach is the right fit for them.
Yes, we welcome all patients. You do not need to change your permanent vet to use our laparoscopic service. We simply require your dog’s clinical history from your regular practice to ensure they are fit for surgery. Once the procedure is complete and your dog is discharged, we will share the surgical notes with your regular vet so their medical records remain up to date.
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