Minimally Invasive Surgery at New Fairfield Animal Hospital

Laparoscopic Ovariectomy (Spay)

The spay is one of the most common surgeries in veterinary medicine, but it is not performed without some degree of discomfort for the patient.  Despite the best efforts to provide adequate medical pain management, the requisite physical breakdown of the ovarian ligament causes a significant amount of post-operative discomfort.  In addition, the standard incision is anywhere from 3 to 5 inches long.  These patients are required to stay in the hospital overnight and are physically restricted for at least one week after the surgery.

New Fairfield Animal Hospital is one of only a select few hospitals in the country to offer a less invasive option in the form of laparoscopic ovariectomy.  By using the same technology used in human hospitals, Dr. Brunner is able to remove the ovaries with tiny 1/4 to 1/2 inch incisions and without the same trauma as the standard surgery.  These patients experience far less pain, go home the same day, and tend to return to normal function within a day or two, causing less stress and requiring less pain medication.

Please ask our staff if laparoscopic ovariectomy would be right for your pet.

Benefits include:

• Less Pain
• Faster Recovery
• Home the Same Day
• Less Medication
• Happier Pets!

At right: Dr. Brunner performs a laparoscopic ovariectomy.

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For more information, watch the following news report on laparoscopic surgery:

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Laparoscopic-assisted Prophylactic Gastropexy

Many large breed and deep-chested dog breeds are at a higher risk for a life-threatening problem known as Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV or “Bloat”).  This condition can often be prevented by attaching the stomach to the body wall, a surgery known as Prophylactic Gastropexy.  While this surgery is recommended for many dogs, it is infrequently performed since it requires a very large abdominal incision.  Even when added to a standard spay, the incision size and surgery time are dramatically increased.

New Fairfield Animal Hospital now offers a less invasive option for these dogs in the form of laparoscopic-assisted gastropexy.  This procedure is easily performed in addition to a standard neuter or laparoscopic spay and could make a life-saving difference.  One study (Ward et al) indicated that prophylactic gastropexy resulted in a twofold reduction in mortality associated with GDV for Rottweilers and a 30-fold reduction in mortality for Great Danes.

Please ask our staff if laparoscopic-assisted gastropexy is right for your dog.

Breeds at risk for GDV - and therefore may benefit from prophylactic gastropexy (partial list):

• Great Dane
• Irish Setter
• Gordon Setter
• St. Bernard
• Weimaraner
• Doberman Pinscher
• German Shepherd Dog
• Great Pyrenees
• Irish Wolfhound
• Bull Mastiff
• StandardPoodle
• Borzoi
• Bloodhound
• Akita
• Bassett Hound
• Other large breed dogs
• Even some smaller, barrel-chested breeds