Zoological Medicine currently performs minimally invasive ("keyhole") surgery on a variety of exotic animal species in zoological collections in the UK in association with the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, as well as in native UK wildlife species in rehabilitation, and ranging in size from 30grams to 650kilograms in body weight. Minimally invasive "keyhole" surgery is performed on dogs, cat, rabbits and exotic pets through Inglis Veterinary Centre in Dunfermline. Romain Pizzi BVSc MSc DZooMed FRES MACVSc MRCVS, a Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons recognised specialist in Zoo & Wildlife Medicine, is director of surgery, and has spent time training with leading human surgeons in a variety of laparoscopic surgical techniques. 

Some animals, such as this adult female giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) provide challenges due to their anatomy. Tallest of all land animals, and the largest ruminant, their large stomach makes access to abdominal organs especially difficult.
	Canine thoracoscopic pericardiectomy (minimally invasive heart surgery in a dog) - Romain was the first veterinary surgeon to successfully perform this surgery in Scotland, in early 2006 at Inglis Veterinary Surgery.
Minimally invasive (keyhole)surgery in a female sloth bear with reproductive problems, in a zoological collection.
	Keyhole biopsy of the kidney in a Mute swan, with chronic kidney disease. The inactive ovary is also visible in this adult female swan.
Minimally invasive, or "keyhole" surgery needs a large amount of specialist (and unfortuntely relatively costly) equipment, making its availability still very limited in veterinary practices and zoos.
	Keyhole surgery to neuter a female mammal. This procedure is much less invasive, less painful, and leads to a much quicker post-operative recovery to normal excercise.
Keyhole surgery in a juvenile grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) in rehabilitation for release to the wild.

Provision of keyhole surgery in dogs, cats, rabbits and exotic pets is performed through Inglis Veterinary Centre which is the leading facility for comparative minimally invasive surgery in Scotland. This was the first veterinary clinical facility in Scotland to succesfully perform canine thoracoscopic pericardiectomies (minimally invasive heart surgery), and remains the only facility to perform these procedures. Cases have even been referred for surgery from the University of Edinburgh's Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Surgery.

To contact the surgery regarding minimally invasive surgery on any species
Tel: 01383 722818

Inglis Veterinary Centre
120 Halbeath Road
Dunfermline
Fife
KY11 4LA

To visit the general Inglis Veterinary Centre website click here.