Hi,

Does anyone know of any vets in Lincolnshire that with spay a bitch with keyhole surgery? Both of my vets don't do it.

Thanks

why do you want it?
my old dog was spayed using a very tiny incision - and the vet ended up managing to somehow move her bladder and left her incontinient!  we all went through hell trying to get her healthy again after.
my current dog when i took her to be spayed I told vet bluntly to make an incision big enough to see what he was doing and forget cosmetic appearance as I'd sooner have a healthy dry dog with a bit of a scar . its not like you can see it anyhow once fur grown back.

The procedure can be different - the more modern version of keyhole spaying that I understand involved only the ovaries being removed, leaving the womb behind.

IIRC, the womb then shrinks, reducing the risk for physically-based incontinence and other such problems associated with removing the womb altogether, and less things being removed should mean faster healing time too.

Not something I have direct experience with - it's common in europe I *think*, but only just starting to catch on over here.  It'd be my preference if it was more easily available but as my last 2 have been done under the DT £30 campaigns I've not been in a position to be picky!

The main reason I spay my bitches is to reduce the risk of Pyometra, leaving the uterus in situ would rather negate this surely?

I had already heard about this approach to neutering from friends in Europe and was most concerned about the health implications re Pyometra.

> concerned about the health implications re Pyometra.

My guess would be that an atrophied uterus and no seasons would probably mean a greatly reduced risk but it would be interested to know of any data.

It seems that even with just a stump left in a full hysterectomy you can get 'Stump Pyometra' which of course can be very dangerous as no-one would suspect/expect pyo in a spayed bitch.

Yes, you can but you would need to consider if the risk was greater than the risk associated with full hysterectomy and data would be useful in weighing that up.

Hi - 2 of ours were done via keyhole . Removal of the ovaries eliminates the risk of pyo as pyo's are caused by changes in the womb lining driven by the hormonal cycle - my understanding is that in stump pyo there is usually a tiny fragment of ovary remaining . I prefer having the uterus left in place to support the bladder - neither of the bitches we had spayed via keyhole are incontinent (yet- fingers crossed )  :) they were done several years ago now so fingers crossed ( one is now 4 and one nearly 6) . They both recovered much faster than our bitch who was spayed via the traditional method . With regard to the concerns about being able to see everything - altho the holes are very tiny , the surgeon can see everything clearly with the camera. Anyway , I guess at the end of the day we all have to do what we each think is best for our own dogs with the information we have available to us. Certainly do not have any regrets with my 2 - BTW , sorry but not anywhere nears Lincs .

Edit to add - so far the only girl who has had incontinence issues is the youngest bitch who is not yet spayed - this went away after her first season but when the time comes she will be done by keyhole too .

I have been fortunate not to have any bitches incontinent after traditional spaying, probably because they are only medium size and kept fairly lean.

It would be interesting to have some facts an figures re the relative reduction (if any statistically) of leaving the uterus in place. 

Also whether there is increased risk of Pyo???

Spay incontinence is a major disadvantage of spaying, especially larger breed bitches.

My bitch was spayed using keyhole method, i did not know he was going to use that untill i fetched her afterwards but i must say i was pleased with how shorter her recovery was compared to my others and touch wood no sign of incontinence either (it was done 2 years ago).

Had 3 of my girls done this way, recovery is great, all of them walked out of the vets. The last girl was only away for 3 & 1/2 hours and wanted to go out for a run the next day, very upset when she only got a lead walk and a check up back at the vet's.
My vet said risk of pyo is very low / rare. They have been spaying this way for about 6 years and have not had any cases so far.
Would only have girls done this way now, also my last girl had never had puppies.

The decision to spay my bitch has been a difficult one but having researched it thoroughly and considered the options for the last 12 months I believe that they keyhole procedure would be more beneficial to this particular dog (i'm not saying all dogs). If anyone knows of anywhere in Lincs though (or even surrounding counties) it would really help.

does the vet in kirton near Boston do it? can't remember their name though but worth a call. they do a lot of referrals from our way.
lea :)

Elwood & Briggs the number is 01205772696

thank you Jackie. I could not bring the name to mind which is stupid as ebba has been there and my mate works there that I am going to her hen do lmao
lea

Yes, I too have been on their books for years but do not know if they do this op. Think their referral work is orthopaedic for which they are very well respected.

Thanks, ill give them a ring tomorrow

I think there is a practice in near Cambridge that does keyhole surgery.

When I had my dog speyed I couldn't find one near to us so we travelled to Scotland and combined it with a holiday.  She was out and about as normal the following day so we still enjoyed our trip away.

Is there a place in the south-east which does this type of spaying?