Keyhole Surgery

Just like in human surgery, keyhole is the option your dog would choose

Why Choose a Laparoscopic (Keyhole) Spay for Your Dog?

Spaying your dog is one of the most important decisions you make as a pet owner.

It’s a routine surgery that helps prevent unwanted litters and offers significant health benefits, including eliminating the risk of ovarian and uterine cancers and reducing the risk of life-threatening uterine infections (pyometra).

Traditionally, spays have been performed using a single, larger abdominal incision (commonly called an "open spay"). While this method is effective, advances in veterinary surgery have introduced a much less invasive alternative: the laparoscopic spay, also known as a keyhole spay.

At our practice, we perform laparoscopic spays using a two-port technique, meaning just two small incisions instead of one larger opening.

This modern approach has been shown to reduce pain, speed up recovery, and lower complication rates.

Here, we explain exactly what a laparoscopic spay involves and why it might be the right choice for your dog.

Why choose a keyhole spay?

What exactly is a laparoscopic spay?

A laparoscopic spay is a minimally invasive surgical procedure where the ovaries are removed using small cameras and special surgical instruments inserted through tiny incisions (ports) in the abdomen.

In a traditional open spay, the surgeon makes a single incision (about 6–10 cm, sometimes longer in larger dogs) down the middle of the abdomen to access and remove the ovaries and usually the uterus.

By contrast, a laparoscopic spay requires only two small incisions, each around 0.5–1 cm. A camera (laparoscope) is placed through one port, and surgical instruments through the other.

Using the camera, the surgeon gets a magnified, high-definition view of the surgical area. This precision allows for delicate dissection and sealing of blood vessels with advanced vessel-sealing devices, instead of tying knots (ligatures) by hand.

What is a keyhole spay?

Why remove only the ovaries?

In a laparoscopic spay, we remove the ovaries alone (ovariectomy) rather than the entire uterus and ovaries (ovariohysterectomy).

Scientific studies and long-term data show that removing just the ovaries is enough to prevent pregnancy, eliminate heat cycles, and reduce hormone-driven diseases, while leaving the uterus behind does not increase the risk of uterine disease as long as the ovaries are gone.

This approach is widely practiced in many European countries and is becoming more common in the UK.

How much less painful is it?

Multiple studies have shown that laparoscopic spays are significantly less painful than traditional open spays:

In one study published in Veterinary Surgery (Davidson et al., 2004), dogs that underwent laparoscopic spays had 65% lower pain scores at 24 hours after surgery compared to dogs with an open spay.

Another study in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (Hancock et al., 2005) found that 86% of dogs spayed laparoscopically showed normal activity within 24 hours, whereas only 27% of dogs spayed traditionally were as active.

Many dogs spayed laparoscopically require fewer post-operative pain medications, and some show minimal signs of discomfort as early as the evening after surgery.

Less painful

How quickly do dogs recover?

Because laparoscopic spays involve much less tissue trauma:

Dogs are often back to normal walks within 2–3 days, although we recommend controlled exercise for 10–14 days to allow complete internal healing.

Wounds are typically healed enough by 7–10 days that most dogs can resume normal activities without restrictions.

Owners consistently report that dogs seem "back to themselves" much sooner — often within 24–48 hours.

Quicker Recovery

How small are the wounds?

The two-port technique we use means:

Only two small incisions, each about 0.5–1 cm in length.

Less chance of wound infections or swelling.

Smaller, neater scars that are often barely visible once healed.

By comparison, traditional open spays usually involve a single incision of 6–10 cm, depending on the dog's size.

Small Wounds

Are there fewer complications?

Yes. Laparoscopic spays are associated with:

Lower risk of wound complications (less infection and swelling).

Reduced risk of internal bleeding, as the ovarian ligaments are sealed with advanced vessel-sealing devices rather than tied off by hand.

Less handling and traction on internal tissues means reduced inflammation and lower risk of internal adhesions (scar tissue connecting organs).

Less post-operative inflammation, which can mean less risk of delayed healing or seroma (fluid build-up).

Fewer Complications

FAQs

Are there any downsides?

While laparoscopic spays offer many advantages, there are a few considerations:

Cost: The advanced equipment and extra surgical training mean laparoscopic spays are usually more expensive than traditional spays. However, many owners feel the smoother recovery and reduced discomfort are well worth the investment.

Availability: Not all veterinary clinics offer laparoscopic surgery, as it requires specific facilities and expertise.

Suitability: While most healthy dogs are good candidates, some dogs with certain medical conditions (for example, severe obesity or complicated reproductive anatomy) may not be ideal for a laparoscopic approach. We always perform a thorough pre-surgical assessment to ensure the best option for each individual dog.

Are laparoscopic spays safe?

Yes: when performed by a trained and experienced surgeon with the appropriate equipment, laparoscopic spays are extremely safe and are considered the gold standard in many European practices.

Because the camera provides a magnified view, surgeons can identify and avoid small blood vessels and delicate structures more precisely than during open surgery.

Why wasn’t keyhole surgery always used?

Laparoscopic surgery has been widely used in human medicine since the 1980s for gallbladder removals, hernia repairs, and hysterectomies.

In veterinary medicine, it started gaining popularity more recently, as equipment became more widely available and training opportunities expanded.

In many European countries, especially Scandinavia and parts of the Netherlands, laparoscopic spays are now common practice and often preferred.

In the UK, they are increasingly available as more clinics invest in modern surgical approaches and owners become aware of the benefits.

Why do we choose the two-port technique?

Some laparoscopic spay techniques use three ports (incisions), but we prefer the two-port approach because:

It further reduces the number of wounds and overall trauma.

It maintains excellent visibility and control for the surgeon.

Dogs tend to have even faster recovery and less wound-related irritation.

This technique combines safety, effectiveness, and minimal invasiveness.

Health benefits beyond spaying

Spaying your dog — by any method — prevents life-threatening uterine infections (pyometra) and ovarian cancers, and eliminates unwanted seasons (heats).

By using a laparoscopic approach, we can provide these health benefits while maximising comfort and minimising stress, making it a win-win for both pets and owners.

What do other owners say?

Many owners tell us their dog was "back to normal" within 24–48 hours, with minimal discomfort. Common feedback includes:

"She was wagging her tail and asking for dinner the same evening!"

"Healed beautifully — I almost couldn’t find the scars."

"So relieved to avoid the big incision. She wanted to play the next morning!"

What is traction during a traditional spay?

In a traditional open spay, the surgeon makes a larger incision in the middle of the abdomen to access the ovaries and uterus.

Once the abdomen is open, they need to locate each ovary (with their hands), which is attached near the kidneys at the back of the abdominal cavity.

Because the ovaries are tucked deep inside, the surgeon must pull (apply traction) on the ovarian ligament to bring each ovary up into view so it can be tied off and removed.

This traction involves:

Stretching the suspensory ligament, a tough fibrous band that holds the ovary in place near the kidney.

Handling and pulling other nearby tissues to gain access and visibility.

More manipulation of the uterus, especially if it is also being removed.

When this ligament is stretched or broken manually:

It can be painful, because it has nerve supply and is attached close to sensitive structures.

It causes more tissue trauma and inflammation, which leads to post-operative discomfort and swelling.

It increases the need for pain medication and makes rest more crucial during recovery.

In a keyhole spay, especially using the two-port technique:

Instead of pulling the ovary up through a large open incision, the surgeon works inside the abdomen with a camera.

The ovarian ligament is precisely cauterised and divided using advanced vessel-sealing devices, rather than being pulled or torn.

There is minimal traction on surrounding tissues, and no need to stretch or force structures into the incision area.

Less pain: Because there is far less pulling and no tearing of the ligament, dogs experience less post-operative discomfort.

Reduced inflammation: Less trauma inside means faster healing and lower risk of complications.

Quicker recovery: Dogs can resume normal activity sooner and are generally happier and more comfortable during the healing period.

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Keyhole spays avoid the forceful pulling of internal structures, replacing it with careful, controlled division under direct visual guidance.

This is one of the key reasons they are considered less painful and less invasive.

Aftercare: what to expect

After a laparoscopic spay, your dog will still need some rest and care:

Restrict energetic activities (running, jumping, rough play) for about 10–14 days to allow internal healing.

Short, gentle lead walks can usually resume within a couple of days.

Check the small incisions daily for redness, swelling, or discharge.

Keep your dog from licking the wounds — an Elizabethan collar ("cone") or protective recovery suit may be used, although many dogs are much less bothered by these smaller wounds.

Follow-up checks are important to ensure proper healing and to remove any sutures if needed (though many laparoscopic spays use dissolvable sutures that do not need removal).