Hearthstone Animal Clinic Now Offers Laparoscopic Spay Surgery in Houston, TX

NORTHWEST HOUSTON, TX — Hearthstone Animal Clinic is now offering laparoscopic spay surgery for dogs, making it one of the few general-practice veterinary clinics in the Houston area to provide this procedure in-house.

The service, called the LOVE Spay, uses a minimally invasive two-port laparoscopic technique to remove the ovaries through incisions roughly the size of a fingertip. Compared to a traditional open spay, the difference in what a dog experiences during recovery is significant.

"This is a better surgery," said Dr. Steve Pelton, DVM, owner of Hearthstone Animal Clinic. "Less tissue trauma, less pain, faster recovery. If I had a female dog of my own getting spayed, this is what I'd do."

Ready to schedule? Learn about the LOVE Spay and request an appointment at hearthstonevet.com/love-spay.

What Is a Laparoscopic Spay — and Why Does It Matter?

A traditional spay (ovariohysterectomy) requires a 2 to 3-inch incision through the abdominal wall to access and remove the uterus and ovaries. It works. It's been the standard for decades. But the incision size and the amount of tissue handling involved means a real recovery cost for the dog.

A laparoscopic spay — specifically a laparoscopic ovariectomy — does the same job through two incisions about 5mm wide. A high-definition camera goes in one port. Specialized surgical instruments go in the other. The ovaries are isolated, sealed with a bipolar vessel sealing device, removed, and the ports are closed. The whole procedure happens under direct visualization on a monitor.

The result: less tissue damage, less post-operative pain, less inflammation, and a dog who's back on her feet faster.

How the Two Procedures Compare

FactorTraditional SpayLaparoscopic Spay (LOVE Spay)Incision size2 to 3 inchesTwo incisions, ~5mm eachPost-op pain levelModerate to significantSignificantly reducedSuture removal10 to 14 days7 daysReturn to normal activity10 to 14 daysMuch faster — typically within a few daysVisualization during surgeryDirect, limited field of viewHD camera, magnified view of entire operative fieldAbdominal muscle disruptionYes, full wall incisionMinimal, port-only accessInpatient statusSame daySame day

The Technique Used at Hearthstone

Dr. Pelton completed specialized hands-on laparoscopic training before offering this service to patients. The training included real surgical cases across a range of breeds and body sizes, from small dogs to large dogs over 75 pounds.

Hearthstone uses a two-port Hasson technique with a CO2 insufflator and high-definition laparoscopic camera system. Vessel sealing is performed using the VetOvation VSD, a bipolar radiofrequency device that seals the ovarian vessels before cutting. It's the same class of technology used in human laparoscopic surgery, adapted for veterinary patients.

"The magnification you get with a laparoscope lets you see everything. You're not working blind through a small incision — you're looking at a crystal-clear image of exactly what you're doing. That's better surgery, full stop."

— Dr. Steve Pelton, DVM

The procedure is currently available for healthy female dogs weighing 15 pounds or more. Dogs that are in heat, pregnant, or have significant comorbidities may not be candidates. A pre-operative consultation determines suitability.

To learn more and check if your dog qualifies, visit hearthstonevet.com/love-spay.

Why Most Houston-Area Clinics Don't Offer This

Laparoscopic surgery requires specialized equipment and additional training beyond a standard veterinary degree. For corporate clinics running high-volume, low-cost spay programs, the economics don't work. For a solo-doctor practice committed to doing the best medicine available, it does.

Hearthstone Animal Clinic has never operated on volume. The philosophy is straightforward: do good medicine, communicate clearly, and give every patient what they'd get if you actually cared about the outcome. Laparoscopic spay fits that model.

It's also worth noting: laparoscopic spay has been the standard of care in Europe for female dogs for years. U.S. veterinary medicine is catching up. Some specialty and university hospitals have offered it for a while. General practices offering it as a routine option are still rare.

Is the LOVE Spay Right for Your Dog?

Most healthy female dogs are good candidates. Ideal patients are young, healthy dogs being spayed before or shortly after their first heat cycle. That said, larger dogs, older dogs in good health, and dogs whose owners want the most comfortable recovery possible all benefit from this approach.

Dogs that are currently in heat, pregnant, or have health conditions that complicate surgery may be better served by a traditional approach. Dr. Pelton evaluates each patient individually.

The fastest way to find out if your dog qualifies: fill out the short intake form at hearthstonevet.com/love-spay. It takes about two minutes and gives us the basic information needed to get you scheduled.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a laparoscopic spay for dogs?

A laparoscopic spay — also called a laparoscopic ovariectomy — removes a dog's ovaries through two very small incisions using a camera and specialized instruments. It accomplishes the same goal as a traditional spay with significantly less tissue trauma, less pain, and faster recovery.

Is a laparoscopic spay less painful for dogs?

Yes. Research consistently shows that dogs experience significantly less post-operative pain after a laparoscopic spay compared to a traditional open spay. The smaller incisions and reduced tissue handling are the reason. Less disruption equals less pain — that's the basic physiology.

How long is recovery after a laparoscopic spay?

Sutures come out at 7 days, compared to 10 to 14 days for a traditional spay. Most dogs return to normal energy levels within a few days of surgery. Activity restriction is still recommended during the healing period, but dogs are typically much more comfortable right out of the gate.

Does a laparoscopic spay remove the uterus too?

No. A laparoscopic ovariectomy removes the ovaries only. In dogs, ovary removal alone is sufficient to eliminate heat cycles and the risk of mammary cancer. Removing the uterus requires a larger incision and adds surgical complexity. Without the ovaries, the uterus remains healthy and inactive.

What is the minimum weight for a laparoscopic spay?

At Hearthstone Animal Clinic, dogs weighing 15 pounds or more are eligible. Smaller patients present additional surgical complexity with laparoscopic techniques and are handled on a case-by-case basis.

How do I schedule a laparoscopic spay in Houston, TX?

Visit hearthstonevet.com/love-spay and complete the intake form. We'll review your dog's details and reach out to schedule the appointment.

Is laparoscopic spay safe?

Yes. Laparoscopic spay has been performed in dogs for decades and has an excellent safety record. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia with full monitoring. Dr. Pelton completed hands-on training with real surgical cases before offering this service.

Does my dog need to be a puppy to get a laparoscopic spay?

No. Adult dogs in good health are good candidates. Dr. Pelton evaluates each patient based on overall health, not age. Some of the training cases included large dogs well into adulthood with excellent outcomes.

Ready to get started?

Visit the LOVE Spay page at hearthstonevet.com/love-spay to learn more and fill out the intake form. Hearthstone Animal Clinic serves Northwest Houston and surrounding communities including Cypress, Katy, Copperfield, and Jersey Village.

About Hearthstone Animal Clinic

Hearthstone Animal Clinic is a solo-doctor small-animal veterinary practice in Northwest Houston, TX (77095), owned and operated by Dr. Steve Pelton, DVM. Dr. Pelton graduated from Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and has been in practice for more than 25 years.

The clinic focuses on dogs and cats, with an emphasis on high-quality medicine, direct communication, and efficient care. Services include wellness, diagnostics, soft-tissue surgery, dentistry, and now laparoscopic spay surgery.

Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 7am to 6pm | Wednesday and Saturday 8am to noon

Phone: (281) 845-2941

Laparoscopic spay info: hearthstonevet.com/love-spay