We call it a LOVE spay because we prioritize your pet’s well-being, ensuring a gentle and speedy recovery. However, LOVE actually does stand for something important:
L-OVE stands for Laparoscopic Ovariectomy.
Laparoscopic surgery, a revolution in human medicine, has become the standard of care for its unparalleled safety, comfort, and quick return to normal activity. Southern Cross Vet is proud to offer the same standard of care with our “LOVE Spays”—a minimally invasive keyhole surgery approach to desexing dogs. Through an advanced technique called single-port laparoscopy, we provide pets with a surgery experience akin to the highest quality in human hospitals.
In recent years, veterinary medicine has embraced minimally invasive techniques for the same advantages seen in human surgery: less pain, reduced trauma, and quicker recovery. Procedures that once required large incisions are now achievable through keyhole techniques, advancing the most common abdominal surgery in pets—the spay. This laparoscopic dog spaying method enables our surgeons to see with enhanced clarity and work with unmatched precision.
Dr. Sam Kovac explains, “Having a dog spayed is a major surgical procedure. It can be a worrying time for owners, and we want to provide the best possible service. By providing the option of the LOVE spay we can ensure owners we are performing the safest and quickest procedure for their beloved pet”
The difference in bodily impact with LOVE Spays (previously known as laparoscopic spay) is remarkable. Pets experience less pain, faster healing, and a swifter return to their regular routines. Although traditional spays cause no lasting harm with proper pain management, they are undeniably harder on pets in the short term. Desexing your female dog is a significant milestone, and we are privileged to offer a safer, more comfortable alternative to traditional spaying with LOVE Spays.
Desexing your pet offers numerous health benefits, and desexed animals generally live longer than their unspayed or unneutered counterparts. Additionally, desexing helps address the serious issue of pet overpopulation. Thousands of healthy dogs are euthanized weekly in shelters and pounds due to a lack of available homes.
Desexing is an essential part of responsible pet ownership, contributing to both your pet’s long-term health and the well-being of the broader pet community.
Benefits of Desexing Female Dogs
Benefits of Desexing Male Dogs
A LOVE Spay, or Laparoscopic Ovariectomy, is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that offers a gentler, faster recovery for your pet.
How Does it Work?
Laparoscopic desexing, or a “LOVE Spay,” is a minimally invasive procedure where a small incision, typically under 10 millimetres, is made in the abdomen. This single “port” allows for the insertion of specialized instruments:
With these instruments in place, the surgeon skillfully dissects the ovary away from surrounding tissues, guided by magnified images on an LCD screen for precise manoeuvring. Remarkably, the surgeon doesn’t touch any tissue directly; instead, all work is done through careful observation and precise instrument control. The ovary is then removed through the same port.
After the instruments are removed, the incision is carefully sealed, and our nursing team closely monitors the patient for a couple of hours before she is ready to go home. Allow your pet 2–3 days of quiet rest and limited exercise after a LOVE Spay to facilitate optimal healing. This advanced approach to desexing offers a safer, more comfortable experience, promoting quicker recovery and minimal post-operative discomfort.
The only potential disadvantage to LOVE Spays or (laparoscopic desexing) is that it could be more expensive due to the specialized equipment and training required. Additionally, not all veterinary clinics may offer this procedure, so accessibility may be limited. At Southern Cross Veterinary Clinic however, we perform multiple LOVE Spays weekly.
Contact us at 1300 DOC SAM (1300 362 726) or email us at [email protected] to schedule an appointment with us now!
In a traditional spay, or traditional ovariectomy a long incision is made along the midline of the abdomen to access the uterus and ovaries. The surgeon must locate the uterus by feel, then trace its horns to find the ovaries. To remove the ovaries, the surgeon manually tears a ligament attaching them to the abdominal wall—a challenging part of the procedure. This ligament sits close to major ovarian vessels, which are not visible during surgery, increasing the risk of accidental damage and potential complications. Additionally, the uterus is typically removed along with the ovaries, further raising the risk of bleeding during surgery.
A LOVE Spay offers a safer, more advanced alternative. By using laparoscopic techniques, the surgeon gains a high-definition view inside the abdomen, allowing them to see precisely where each vessel and ligament is before making any cuts. With this visual precision, there is minimal need for direct tissue handling, reducing the risk of complications.
Moreover, the smaller incision of a LOVE Spay significantly minimizes post-operative pain, offering your pet a gentler, faster recovery. This minimally invasive approach makes a LOVE Spay the preferred choice for safety and comfort over traditional spay methods.
In summary, the main difference between a traditional spay and a LOVE Spay lies in the level of precision, safety, and comfort for your pet. While a traditional spay relies on a larger incision and tactile guidance, increasing the risk of complications, a LOVE Spay uses high-definition visuals and a small incision for more controlled, minimally invasive surgery. This advanced approach not only reduces the risk of accidental damage and bleeding but also leads to less pain and a faster recovery, making it the optimal choice for your pet’s desexing procedure.
Comfort
A LOVE Spay (Laparoscopic Spay) is the gentlest method to desex your dog, providing minimal discomfort during and after the procedure.
Fast Return to Normal Activities
This technique requires no stitches, allowing for quicker healing. There’s no need to keep your pet still for 10 days post-surgery, as required with conventional methods. Your pet’s activity only needs to be restricted for 2-3 days after a Laparoscopic Spay.
No Risk of Bleeding or Hemorrhage
The LOVE Spay approach virtually eliminates the risk of bleeding both during and after the surgery.
Less Medication
With minimal post-op pain, a LOVE (Laparoscopic Spay) Spay reduces the need for painkillers, making recovery easier for your pet.
Minimal Infection Risk
Because the surgeon doesn’t directly touch any tissue or organs, the risk of infection is greatly minimized with a LOVE Spay.
After a LOVE Spay, pets are often on their feet and feeling fine, able to walk home comfortably on the same day as the surgery, with minimal pain relief needed post-op.
LOVE Spays are designed to be minimally invasive, significantly reducing the risk of infection compared to traditional spay procedures. The use of a single small incision minimizes tissue trauma and exposure, which helps lower the chances of postoperative infections. Additionally, because the surgeon does not directly manipulate internal tissues, the procedure maintains a cleaner surgical environment. However, as with any surgical procedure, there is still a small inherent risk of infection or complications, particularly if post-operative care instructions are not followed. Ensuring your pet receives proper care during recovery can further minimize these risks and promote a smooth healing process.
In a traditional castration, the surgeon makes an incision between the scrotum and penis to remove the testicle from the body. The vessels of the testicle are tied off with suture material, and the incision is then closed. While sutures typically seal the vessels adequately, there are occasions when an inadequate seal can lead to post-surgery bleeding, causing pain, inflammation, bruising, and extended recovery time.
At Southern Cross Vets, we offer a LOVE Spay alternative called “minimally invasive castration,” a less traumatic method for desexing male dogs. Minimally invasive Castration (MIC) is also sometimes referred to as a Laparoscopic Neuter. Although the incision may appear similar from the outside in this procedure, there are key differences between a minimally invasive castration and a traditional procedure.
During a minimally invasive castration, electrocautery is utilized to seal bleeding vessels in the skin and subcutaneous tissue as the initial incision is made. The testicular vessels are sealed using a specialized instrument called the Caiman™. This device painlessly and efficiently seals the vessels to prevent bleeding, achieving a strong, complete seal. As a result, the risk of bleeding from major vessels is highly unlikely when the Caiman is employed.
After sealing the vessels, the wound is closed with suture material, and the dog is awakened from anesthesia. A minimally invasive castration is significantly shorter than a traditional castration since the surgeon does not spend time tying off vessels. This decreased anesthetic time contributes to a faster, safer recovery for your pet, ensuring a smoother experience overall.
At the time of publishing a LOVE Spay (or Laparoscopic Spay) costs $1650, while a traditional spay costs $863.50 for female dogs.
Please contact us closer to the time of the procedure for updated rates.
THE REASON FOR THE PRICE DIFFERENCE:
Our surgical staff have performed hundreds of LOVE Spays, ensuring a high level of expertise in this advanced technique. We conduct the keyhole spaying of dogs through a single incision (as opposed to two or three), making our desexing operations less traumatic for your pet.
With minimally invasive surgery, there is no bleeding, less trauma, and a faster recovery for your dog. After the procedure, your pet will be sent home with a few days of pain relief and instructions to keep quiet for a short period. Many owners find it challenging to keep their dogs calm after surgery because they recover so quickly—it’s as if no surgery ever occurred!
If you’d like to get your pet desexed at our clinic, please call us at (02) 9516 0234 or email us at [email protected].