Laparoscopic Spay for Houston Dogs
A keyhole spay for big dogs, done start to finish by Dr. Steve Pelton at our clinic in Cypress, in Northwest Houston. One trip, and she sleeps at home that night.
Why Houston owners drive out
The doctor you meet is the doctor who operates
A laparoscopic spay is a spay done through two or three small incisions with a camera, instead of one long opening. For a big dog that's a big difference: less pain, less bruising, and most dogs are back to themselves in 2 to 3 days instead of 10 to 14.
At Hearthstone, Dr. Steve Pelton does every one himself. There's no surgery rotation and no hand-off to a doctor you've never met. He's the one who talks with you beforehand, the one at the table, and the one who answers your text afterward. He trained in laparoscopy with Dr. John Schaaf, DVM, one of the pioneers of the procedure.
That's the main reason people make the drive from Houston. You know exactly who's taking care of your dog.
Finding us
On FM 529 in Cypress, ZIP 77095
We're at 14606 FM 529 Rd, Houston, TX 77095. That's the Copperfield end of Cypress, in Northwest Houston, just east of Highway 6.
From central Houston: take 290 northwest to Highway 6, go south on Highway 6 to FM 529, and turn east. We're a few minutes down the road.
We have our own parking lot right off the road, so you're not circling a strip center with a nervous dog.
Surgery day
One trip. She goes home with you the same day.
Drop her off in the morning between 7 and 9 AM. Every laparoscopic spay patient goes home that same day. Nobody is here overnight, so we don't keep patients overnight. A dog who needed overnight watching would go to a 24-hour hospital.
Pickup is usually after 11 AM or 1 PM. If you're driving in from far away, tell us and we'll try to have her ready sooner.
The night before, no food after 9 PM. Water is fine. For more on getting ready, see your pet's surgery day.
Is she a candidate?
30 lb and up, no upper limit
She has to weigh at least 30 lb. A smaller dog doesn't have enough room inside for the camera and instruments to work safely, so dogs under 30 lb get a traditional spay instead, which is a small, quick surgery for a little dog anyway.
From 30 lb up there's no upper limit. The bigger she is, the more the keyhole approach helps, because a traditional spay on a large dog means a much longer incision.
Price
Starts at $850, quoted in writing
A laparoscopic spay starts at $850 for the surgery. The final price depends on her weight and needs. That covers the procedure, anesthesia and monitoring, the laparoscopic equipment, and same-day discharge. Pre-anesthetic bloodwork is separate and runs $110.
You get a written quote with every line spelled out before anything is scheduled. Payment options are on our pricing page.
The short version
- Female dogs 30 lb and up
- Starts at $850, based on her weight and needs
- Pre-anesthetic bloodwork is separate, $110
- Dr. Pelton does every one himself
- Home with you the same day
Where we are
Hearthstone Animal Clinic
14606 FM 529 Rd, Houston, TX 77095
Cypress, just east of Highway 6
Questions from Houston
Before you make the drive
Do I need a referral from my Houston vet?
No. New and existing clients can reach out to us directly. You don't need a separate consult visit. Tell us her weight, age and breed, and Dr. Pelton looks her over the morning of surgery.
Is the drive worth it for a spay?
For a large dog, we think so. The incisions stay small no matter her size, recovery is usually 2 to 3 days instead of 10 to 14, and Dr. Pelton does the surgery himself. She goes home with you the same day.
What if my dog is under 30 lb?
Then she gets a traditional spay instead. There isn't enough room in a small dog's abdomen for the camera and instruments to work safely.
Do I have to come out for a consult first?
You don't need a separate consult visit. Tell us her weight, age and breed, and Dr. Pelton looks her over the morning of surgery.
How do I get started?
Use Get Your Pet Seen on our website, or call or text (281) 859-9244. Tell us her weight and age, and we'll take it from there.
Ready to talk about her spay?
Tell us about your dog and we'll get back to you with next steps and a written quote.
See the full procedure, the side-by-side with a traditional spay, and the video on our laparoscopic spay page. Coming from Katy? Here's that page.