The present study evaluated the surgical stress response in dogs undergoing ovariectomy (OVE) using celiotomy and laparoscopy techniques. Twelve clinically healthy, intact bitches, with an average weight of 20–25 kg, were randomly and equally divided into two groups: celiotomy ovariectomy (COVE) and laparoscopy with a three-portal midline technique (laparoscopic ovariectomy [LapOVE]). A clinical assessment was conducted, and haematological parameters and oxidative stress biomarkers were measured at baseline and 1, 24 and 168 h after extubation. Pain scoring was performed using the University of Melbourne Pain Scale at 2, 4, 8 and 12 h postoperatively. The average heart rate, respiratory rate, rectal temperature, SpO 2 saturation and EtCO values showed no significant differences within each group or when comparing the two groups. There was no significant difference in the pain evaluation between the groups. At 168 h postoperatively, both malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were significantly higher in the COVE group compared with LapOVE (MDA: 6.1 ± 0.844 vs. 4.1 ± 0.848; p < 0.05; TAC: 0.294 ± 0.068 vs. 0.246 ± 0.023; p < 0.05). The COVE group exhibited significantly higher white blood cell (WBC) and neutrophil counts, and lower eosinophil counts, than the LapOVE group (all p < 0.05). The findings from this research indicated that both surgical methods were safe and yielded similar pain and physiological results. The COVE group demonstrated significantly increased oxidative and inflammatory responses 1 week after surgery, suggesting 2 a higher level of surgical stress than the LapOVE group. When available, laparoscopic OVE should be preferred as a minimally invasive option to reduce postoperative inflammation and oxidative stress.

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