Laser Spay or Traditional Spay - Which is better?

Spaying your pet is both a responsible and loving act, but when it comes to choosing between a laser spay or a traditional spay, the decision can be challenging. Our Los Angeles veterinarians are here to assist you in making the best choice for your beloved pet.

Benefits of Spaying Female Cats & Dogs

Spaying your female pet offers numerous health and behavioral benefits.

Spaying Cats

• Cats spayed before their first heat have a reduced risk of developing malignant mammary tumors later in life.
• Spaying decreases the likelihood of infections of the uterus and reproductive cancers in cats.
• It also helps in reducing undesirable behaviors like excessive affection, territorial marking, and howling induced by heat.

Spaying Dogs

• Dogs spayed before their first heat experience improved lifespan and overall health, preventing issues like uterine infections and breast tumors.
• Spaying eliminates the discomfort and behavior changes associated with the heat cycle.

The Spaying Process

Whether opting for a traditional or laser spay, the procedure follows a similar outline:

• An incision, typically 2-3" below the belly button, is made into the abdomen.
• The reproductive tract, including ovaries and the uterus, is removed through this incision.
• The incision is then closed using internal stitches, skin glue, or staples.

Laser vs Traditional Spay

Laser Spaying

During surgical procedures, veterinarians have the option to use either hot or cold lasers instead of the traditional scalpel. Many vets believe that the advantages of laser spaying include:

• Decreased levels of pain in the immediate post-operative period.
• Reduced bleeding to the cauterization of blood vessels as the laser beam cuts through the tissues.
• Decreased risk of infection due to the superheating of the tissues at the incision site which helps to destroy bacteria present at the time of surgery.
• Less swelling at the surgical site.

Using lasers instead of a scalpel can give the surgeon extreme precision. Nonetheless, as with traditional surgery using a scalpel, laser surgery is not risk-free. Although lasers may cause less pain than scalpels, laser surgery still has the potential to be painful, and hemorrhage (while rare) can still occur.

Traditional Spaying

While some vets may prefer the use of lasers to perform surgeries, others still prefer to use a scalpel. Vets use scalpels for many procedures and are skilled at doing so. It's also important to note that spaying is amongst the most common of veterinary surgeries and most vets become very skilled at spaying.

Benefits of traditional spay include:

• Readily available at most veterinary hospitals.
• Often costs less than laser spaying.

Hemorrhage is not common when a skilled veterinary surgeon spays a pet, and the type of bleeding that can occur as a complication during spays cannot be stopped or prevented by using a laser rather than a scalpel.

Can a male dog be neutered with a laser?

Yes, laser neutering is a viable option for male dogs in some veterinary clinics, offering potential benefits over traditional surgical methods.

Helping Your Pet Recover Comfortably From Spay Surgery

After undergoing either a laser or traditional spay procedure, your pet will require a period of recovery. Here are some tips to ensure a safe and comfortable healing process:

• Provide your pet with a quiet place to recover indoors and away from other animals.
• Reduce your pets activity level for about two weeks following surgery, or as long as your veterinarian recommends.
• Prevent your pet from licking the incision site. Licking could cause an infection. Using a veterinary 'cone' or a a post-surgical t-shirt can help to prevent your pet from licking the wound.
• Do not bath your pet or allow them to swim for at least ten days after surgery.
• Check the incision site daily in order to monitor healing and watch for early signs of infection.

Please keep the following information in mind regarding your pet's spay surgery. If you notice any redness, swelling, or discharge at the surgery site or if the incision has opened up, it is important to contact your veterinarian. Additionally, if your pet is lethargic, has a decreased appetite, or is vomiting or experiencing diarrhea, you should contact your vet immediately.

Regardless of which type of spay surgery you choose for your pet, the overall benefits far outweigh the risks involved in the surgery. If you have any concerns about the risks of spaying your female animal, please contact your vet for further information and their recommendations on which type of spaying is right for your pet.

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.