Pet Care Explained

Procedure explained · Keyhole surgery

Keyhole spay explained: questions to ask your vet

A keyhole (laparoscopic) spay removes the ovaries — and sometimes the womb — using a camera and instruments passed through small incisions, rather than one larger opening. It may mean a smaller wound and less tissue handling, but it is still surgery under general anaesthetic, and it isn't necessarily the right choice for every dog. It's worth talking through the options with your vet.

6 min readFor dogs and catsAwaiting clinical review
A Vetemis surgeon working under the operating theatre light.

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How a traditional spay is usually done

Spaying is the surgical neutering of a female animal. In a traditional ('open') spay, the vet makes an incision in the abdomen and removes the ovaries and usually the womb (an ovariohysterectomy). Some vets remove only the ovaries (an ovariectomy). Open spays are very commonly performed and are an established, effective procedure.

What is a keyhole spay?

In a keyhole spay, the abdomen is gently inflated with gas to create space. A camera (laparoscope) and slim instruments are passed through one to three small incisions. The vet watches a magnified view on a screen while removing the ovaries. In most keyhole spays, the womb is left in place — this is a laparoscopic ovariectomy.

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Keyhole surgery diagram

A clinically reviewed diagram showing camera and instrument access will be added here.

Potential benefits

  • Smaller incisions
  • A magnified, well-lit view of the organs
  • Less handling and stretching of tissue
  • It may be associated with less discomfort after surgery for some dogs — your vet can talk you through the current evidence

Even with smaller wounds, your dog will still need rest, restricted exercise and wound checks while they recover. Your vet will give specific aftercare instructions.

Limitations and risks

  • It is still surgery under general anaesthetic, with the risks that this involves
  • Possible complications include bleeding, wound problems and, occasionally, the need to convert to open surgery
  • It requires specialist equipment and training, so it isn't offered everywhere
  • It's often more expensive than an open spay
  • It may not be suitable for very small dogs, or for dogs with certain health conditions or abnormalities of the womb

What about cats?

In the UK, cats are commonly spayed through a small incision on the flank or the underside. Keyhole spays are less commonly performed in cats. Your vet can explain which approach they use and why.

Timing and other decisions

When to spay depends on things like your dog's breed, size, age and health, and the timing of her seasons. Recommendations vary, so it's best to talk this through with your own vet.

A balanced view

Weighing it up: keyhole spay compared with an open spay

Every option has trade-offs. What’s right depends on your pet, and is best decided with your vet.

Potential benefits

  • Smaller incisions and a magnified view
  • Less tissue handling
  • May be associated with less post-operative discomfort for some dogs

Risks

  • General anaesthetic risks apply to both methods
  • Bleeding, wound complications, or conversion to open surgery
  • Rare complications related to inflating the abdomen with gas

Limitations

  • Not available at every practice
  • Usually more expensive
  • Not suitable for every dog
  • Recovery still requires rest and restricted activity

Alternatives

  • Traditional open spay
  • Delaying or not neutering, after discussing the health implications with your vet

Questions to ask your vet

You might find it helpful to note these down before your appointment.

  1. 01Do you offer keyhole spays, or could you refer us?
  2. 02Would you remove only the ovaries, or the womb as well — and why?
  3. 03Is my dog a suitable candidate given her size, age and health?
  4. 04What would happen if the procedure needed to be converted to open surgery?
  5. 05What aftercare and exercise restrictions would be needed?
  6. 06What is the best timing for my dog?

References

References will be added here following clinical review. We only list sources that have been checked.

Who wrote and reviewed this

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Pet Care Explained is produced by Vetemis Referrals. Learn about keyhole surgery at Vetemis(opens vetemis.co.uk)

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