Questions

Endoscopy is a word of Greek origin, meaning 'looking inside' or 'in-sight'. Endoscopy is a new surgical technique, during which 3 very narrow tubes are introduced in the body through very small incisions. The tubes contain a tiny camera, a light source and surgical instruments; they can be manipulated from outside, while the procedures can be observed on a monitor. In traditional surgery, a larger incision/opening has to be made, to inspect the body from inside, and to perform surgery if necessary. In human medicine E. is applied already in many fields/for many purposes, such as female sterilisation, gall bladder operations, and for internal inspection of joints. Pet owners would like such new technology to become available for their loyal companions as well. In the United States endoscopy is already in regular use in veterinary medicine.

Surgery by means of endoscopy causes much less discomfort for patients, and a shorter healing/recovery time, as there are no large wounds (with many sutures/ stitches), only very small incisions (for the narrow tubes to pass through). These incisions need only 1-2 stitches, heal rapidly, and cause less pain and irritation as well. Moreover, the use of 'collars' on dogs to prevent the removal of sutures, it not necessary. Apart from a faster healing time and less irritation the duration of the general anaesthesia will be shorter, and the animal will benefit of this as well.

Spaying, which implies removal of the ovaries and part of the uterus, inspection of the abdominal cavity and organs for abnormalities like tumours. Internal inspection of the urinary bladder, and removal of bladder stones 'urinary calculi'. Removal of a not descended testicle from the abdominal cavity in a so-called 'cryptorchid' animal; Fixation of the stomach (or 'gastropexia') in dogs susceptible for torsion of the stomach (or GDV 'gastric dilatation-volvulus') like Great Danes and other large dog breeds. Maybe in the future also arthroscopy like in humans.

It is possible that during endoscopic inspection of the abdominal cavity an inflamed uterus is found, while the owner of the animal has not noticed anything abnormal. In this case I will contact you, and we will remove the whole uterus in the traditional surgical way. Complete removal of the uterus by means of endoscopy is not possible.

Yes, and the operation is less of a burden to the animal as well. The best time for spaying is at the age of around 7 months. To free range cats contraceptive pills can be administered until that time, as the first oestrus, 'calling' or 'coming on heat' can be quite early and often not easy to observe.

The best time is the 'rest period' - of sexual inactivity- between the 'half-yearly' heat or oestrus periods. A bitch normally has 2 periods of 3 weeks per year during which the ovaries are active. The an-oestrus period in-between is the perfect time for spaying. The best age for spaying is 3-4 months after the first heat or oestrus. Other possibilities can be discussed.

Spaying can always be done within a few weeks. It is important that you inform us in detail about previous diseases and/or vaginal discharges, so that we can take this in to account during the inspection.

Usually this is not necessary. With the very small incisions the chances for infection and/or complications are minimal, so that no antibiotics or pain-killers need to be administered.

As we are working with expensive equipment, endoscopic interventions will cost a bit more than traditional surgical operations.