An endoscopy is a procedure in which a veterinarian places a lighted tube-like instrument into a natural body opening such as the mouth. The instrument has a video camera for viewing with a high degree of precision and magnification. It can be used to take still pictures of abnormalities for review and documentation in the medical record. Instruments can also be passed through the tube to take specimens for further analysis. Other instruments such as snares and balloons can be used to remove foreign bodies or treat abnormalities that are seen.
- Rhinoscopy – an exam of the nasal cavity
- Cystoscopy – an exam of the urethra and urinary bladder
- Bronchoscopy – an exam of the trachea, bronchi and lungs
- Colonoscopy – an exam of the large bowel or colon
- Gastroscopy – an exam of the lining of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum (small bowel)
The benefits of endoscopy include:
- Provides a simple, painless and minimally invasive imaging method for viewing structures within the body, obtaining laboratory samples and removing foreign bodies without the need for open surgery.
- Can often avoid the need for exploratory surgery to obtain information.
- Can provide an accurate diagnosis to guide the treatment of your pet.
We commonly use Endoscopy as an alternative to surgery to examine and obtain samples from the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, urinary bladder and nasal cavity. It is also used to non-surgically remove swallowed foreign bodies from the GI tract.