Extremely effective. Especially because the technology with this type of equipment is quite advanced. The imaging and detailed evaluations we can get with this precise equipment allow us to do very effective procedures. A spay, for example, can be done with this minimally invasive technique. It's probably the most common procedure done, and it allows us to remove the ovary and the uterus as well. But many studies show that it's only necessary to remove the ovaries unless the uterus is already diseased. By removing the ovaries, the risk of disease in the uterus is extremely low to the point where it's not necessary to go through the additional trauma of removing the uterus. That's actually the standard procedure being done all over Europe and is becoming more common in the states. The laparoscopic equipment allows us to hone in on the ovary a lot more effectively because we can see all the surrounding structures and ligate where we need to with specialized electrocautery equipment. We can remove the ovary with minimal to no bleeding.

We're passionate about bringing this technique to general practice because it allows dogs and cats to have frequently performed procedures with significantly less pain, up to 65% less pain, and a much quicker recovery time. They normally recover in 10 to 14 days, wear the cone of shame, and be kept quiet on a short leash or in a kennel. This type of procedure allows them to heal well enough within one to three days to return to normal activity. So it is very beneficial for your dog. That's why clients are interested in this type of procedure, which is commonly done with humans.

Another big thing that I think is a barrier for clients is the fact that these types of procedures can only be done when they are referred to a specialist. They would be more willing if it could be done where they're most comfortable, like with their primary care veterinarian. If it requires a referral, they are less inclined to do it. We're able to help more dogs with these types of procedures because we can do it in a more comfortable environment at Summer Creek Animal Clinic, where clients are used to being.

It's a surgical technique using specialized minimally invasive surgical equipment to access the abdomen of a dog or cat. It allows us to access the abdomen through very small incisions to insert equipment that has high-resolution magnified cameras. This way, we can see what's happening on a large screen outside of the abdomen without making large incisions. It is beneficial because you can get a closer look at the abdomen's organs because you're using magnifying equipment. So it's better than looking with the naked eye. With laparoscopic techniques, you can get to areas of the abdomen that are much more difficult to look at from the outside. Depending on the technique, you make very small incisions, insert various equipment through your ports, and look around the abdomen.

When we're talking about an exploratory laparoscopic procedure, we're using this minimally invasive technique to look at all the different organs in the abdomen. For example, we may get a liver biopsy in the front part of the abdomen. We get to look closely at the liver and all its different lobes with this equipment. We can look at the gallbladder, kidneys, which are close to the stomach, and the intestines in a lot more detail than we could with a large incision. A less invasive technique allows us to investigate better. That's what an exploratory laparoscopic procedure is.

That's a great question because it comes up a lot when a pet is diagnosed with fleas or ticks, and the owners are concerned that they have them in their environment. If other unprotected pets are in the environment, the answer will almost always be yes. The most important thing when you have a pet with fleas or ticks is not the environmental treatment. It's making sure that all the pets in the environment are on good monthly prevention year-round. This is the case in environments similar to Fort-Worth, Texas. If you're in a different climate, you will have to have a discussion with your veterinarian about if prevention needs to be done year-round, which is mostly the case. So the first step is getting all the pets on flea and tick prevention. That will ensure that the food source of the fleas and ticks is unavailable. They won't be able to feed, and they will die, so they can't reproduce.

It doesn't mean that environmental treatment isn't helpful. I still encourage it, particularly with fleas because they set up shop in the environment very quickly and to a large degree. I recommend focussing on environmental decontamination in addition to flea and tick prevention. It doesn't necessarily involve using a lot of pesticides. I encourage clients to do a thorough cleaning like vacuuming any area that is shaded, for instance, the carpet under the couch, couch cushions, and washing the dog and cat bedding. Doing deep cleaning and vacuuming multiple times a week to try to get all the eggs out of the carpet, rugs, and bedding will help speed the process along, but only in conjunction with having pets on prevention.

People often say they don't need prevention because a pest control company comes out monthly or quarterly. In my experience, that is completely inadequate at ensuring that you won't have a flea problem, especially with our climate. That won't provide enough coverage to be sure that fleas don't set up shop. Firstly, you won't be able to treat every nook and cranny of the house or the yard. I'm not a big fan of that kind of treatment for fleas and ticks. It's not wrong, it just won't be enough. It gives you a false sense of security. If you want to do pest control services, great. It's unnecessary to do that if your pets are on good flea and tick prevention.

That comes up a lot these days. Some remedies supposedly have an effect on killing fleas. I don't know of any that have a long duration of action to prevent them, but it may be out there. The problem with those things is not that they're for sure ineffective, there is just not any good research to support using something like essential oils as flea prevention. There are also potential risks involved, like if your pet ingests too much of it. The short answer is that I can't recommend any options that are definitely going to be effective or safe. When we're looking at products, particularly FDA-regulated products, we can be confident to a certain degree that those products have been tested and will be safe and effective. Even the over-the-counter products have at least been tested for safety concerns.

It depends on the product you are using. For example, topical products and flea and tick collars, especially the cheap ones, can cause intense skin reactions. There's always a risk even with better quality products because every patient is different and will react differently. There will always be a risk of skin irritation or reaction. Another thing that most people are aware of is the neurologic side effects. That's how these products kill fleas and ticks, so the concern is whether it will cause neurologic side effects in a pet. We tend to see these problems with cheaper, over-the-counter products, but there will still be a risk even with the best products.

The biggest concern is the neurologic side effects. Have a discussion with your veterinarian to decide on the best product for your pet, taking into consideration their history, breed, and physical exam findings. One thing that would lead me to decide on a different product than I would typically choose is if your pet has a history of seizures, which could increase their risk of certain side effects. That being said, I have seen dogs with a history of seizures staying on these products without it having any effect on their seizures. So it won't cause your dog to have seizures, but those are the clinical aspects to consider when making a decision.