Endoscopy

Endoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that is used in emergency situations or when diagnosing an illness or disease. Our veterinarians at Animal Emergency and Specialty Center use endoscopy to visually examine your pet's internal organs without invasive surgery exploratory procedures.

During an endoscopy procedure, tiny cameras called endoscopes are inserted into an orifice or through a tiny incision so that we are able to visualize the organs and internal systems of your pet. The procedure is performed with a rigid or flexible fiber optic instrument that allows for a more accurate diagnosis and treatment of oral, esophageal, stomach, colon, and upper intestinal tract diseases.

Endoscopic and Laparoscopic Procedures offered:

Bronchoscopy

Bronchoscopy is the endoscopic technique for examining the lungs. Bronchoscopy allows for thorough visual examination of the respiratory tract to identify structural abnormalities, collect samples of abnormal airway secretions, identify and remove foreign bodies and biopsy lesions or tumors.

Cystoscopy

Cystoscopy is the examination of the urinary bladder. This procedure is appropriate for a large number of small animal patients, including those presenting with chronic cystitis, pollakiuria, hematuria, stranguria, incontinence, trauma, calculi, and abnormal radiographs.

Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Gastrointestinal Endoscopy is the endoscopic examination of the stomach and intestines, a partial list of indications include: regurgitation, dysphagia, salivation, nausea, vomiting, hematemesis, melena, anorexia, diarrhea, weight loss, hematochezia, fecal mucus and tenesmus. It is most commonly used for obtaining biopsies and the removal of ingested foreign bodies.

Laparoscopic Gastropexy

Gastropexy is a preventative surgery done by our board certified surgeons. This surgery is indicated for at risk dogs to prevent the twisting of the stomach which is fatal if not treated quickly. The stomach is sutured to the abdominal wall in order to prevent the stomach from twisting.

Laparoscopy

Laparoscopy is the technique for viewing the abdominal organs. Laparoscopy is commonly used as a diagnostic tool for taking biopsies of the liver, kidney, pancreas, or abdominal masses. Other diagnostic applications include evaluation of abdominal trauma, bile duct patency, response to therapy, splenoportography or abnormal radiographic findings. Laparoscopic surgeries being performed include adrenalectomy, gastropexy, hernia repair and laparoscopic spays.

Otoscopy

Otoscopy allows for examination of both the external and middle ear, it is one of the most common applications of endoscopy in veterinary medicine. Otoscopy allows for safe and thorough ear cleaning under constant visualization, removal of foreign objects, polyp removal and diagnostic sampling. Disorders of the external ear are common in dogs; the visualization afforded by this technique make it a precise means of assessment of treatment and follow-up.

Rhinoscopy

Rhinoscopy is the examination of the nose and back of the throat, commonly indicated in dogs and cats with nasal discharge, nasal obstruction, chronic sneezing, epistaxis, facial distortion, nasal pain, acute severe sneezing, reverse sneezing and abnormal radiographs.