Veterinary Laparoscopy in Prince George, BC


What is Laparoscopy

At CHVC, we perform Veterinary Laparoscopies, or keyhole surgeries, for dogs and cats.

At CHVC, we perform Veterinary Laparoscopies, or keyhole surgeries, for dogs and cats in Prince George as a less invasive, less painful alternative for pets who need major abdominal surgery.

Laparoscopy, also called keyhole surgery, is a minimally invasive surgery that allows for less trauma and pain to your pet—and less risk of infection over time—than alternative, traditional procedures.

To perform the surgery, we’ll make a few minor incisions in the abdomen and insert a camera and scope (a laparoscope) through one incision. This allows us to see the internal organs on a monitor. We then guide specialized surgical tools through the other small incisions to perform the necessary surgery.

Why We Use Laparoscopy for Dogs & Cats

We want your pets to live life as happy and healthy as possible.

Part of that includes ensuring we cause as little harm as possible while we’re helping. Laparoscopy has a significantly shorter recovery time compared to traditional alternatives, is less traumatic to your pet, and has a lower risk of infection. And what’s better for them is better for all of us.

We most often use this surgery for procedures such as:

  • Laparoscopic Ovariectomy (LOVE) spay
  • Prophylactic gastropexy
  • Cryptorchid
  • Liver & pancreas biopsies
  • Bile samples for culture
laparscopy treatment

What to Expect from Your Pet’s Laparoscopy Surgery

Before the surgery, we’ll do a pre-operative exam and lab work to ensure that your pet is ready for surgery.

This surgery is conducted under anesthesia, so it is also required that your pet fast for 12 hours before hand.

After the surgery, we’ll monitor your pet as they wake up from the anesthetic and provide you with detailed care instructions. You’ll need to restrict your pet’s activity for a few hours and then they can return to normal. Before you leave, we’ll schedule a follow up visit to check on the healing process.

Laparoscopic Surgery

  • Activity Restriction: Only 1 day
  • Pain Level: Significantly less (studies suggest 65% less pain)
  • Incision Size: Tiny (e.g., a few small incisions around 0.5 cm)
  • Return to Normal Activity: Within a few days (e.g., 2-3 days)

Traditional (Open) Surgery

  • Activity Restriction: Typically 10 to 14 days
  • Pain Level: More post-operative discomfort due to larger incision
  • Incision Size: Larger (e.g., 6-25 cm incision in the abdomen)
  • Return to Normal Activity: A couple of weeks