Our locum veterinarian, Dr Tien Le, is trained and experienced in performing a range of laparoscopic procedures. These techniques allow us to perform certain surgeries through small incisions rather than the larger incision required for traditional open surgery.

What is keyhole surgery?

Laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery involves inserting a small camera and specialised instruments through tiny incisions in the abdomen. This allows our veterinary team to clearly visualise the organs and perform surgery with minimal disruption to the surrounding tissues.

For suitable patients, potential benefits can include smaller incisions, less tissue trauma, reduced post-operative discomfort and a faster recovery compared with traditional open surgery.

Procedures currently available

We are currently offering:

• Laparoscopic ovariectomy – removal of the ovaries as an alternative to traditional desexing
• Laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy – minimally invasive removal of retained testicles in dogs with cryptorchidism
• Laparoscopic-assisted gastropexy – securing the stomach to the abdominal wall to help prevent gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV/bloat)

Coming soon

Over the next 1–3 months, we hope to expand our laparoscopic services to include:

• Laparoscopic liver biopsy
• Laparoscopic-assisted exploratory surgery and biopsies
• Laparoscopic-assisted splenectomy
• Laparoscopic-assisted bladder urolith (bladder stone) removal

As with any procedure, whether keyhole surgery is appropriate depends on your pet's individual circumstances. Our vets will discuss the available options with you and recommend the most appropriate approach for your pet.

How do I book?

We generally start with a veterinary consultation, where your pet will be examined and the procedure will be discussed in detail. We’ll make sure you understand what is involved, including the benefits, risks, aftercare and expected recovery.

A detailed estimate will be provided so that you have all the information you need before deciding whether to proceed.

As these procedures are currently performed by Dr Tien according to his surgery schedule, we require approximately 2–3 weeks' notice for laparoscopic surgery bookings.

If you'd like to find out whether keyhole surgery could be an option for your pet, please contact Swan Street Vet to arrange a consultation with one of our veterinary team.

We’re very excited to be able to offer this advanced surgical option to our patients and look forward to expanding our laparoscopic services in the months ahead!