Endoscopy-

At The Pet Doctor, we utilize many different types of diagnostic equipment to provide the best medical care for your pet.

Endoscopy is a procedure that allows us to look at the gastrointestinal tract in a non-invasive way.  Endoscopy is done using a long, flexible tube with a camera at the tip.   Inside the tube is a channel that allows the veterinarian to use a variety of diagnostic instruments for examination and biopsy. 

Endoscopy gives us an opportunity to evaluate the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine.  Small biopsies of these areas can be taken and then evaluated by a pathology laboratory to help with diagnosis of an intestinal illness.

The endoscope can also be utilized to help us to perform minimally invasive surgery.  One exciting example of this is an endoscopic assisted gastropexy.  This surgery is traditionally done as a preventative for gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV or “Bloat”) in large breed dogs.   This is a life saving surgery in breeds that are predisposed to bloat, but the traditional surgery is painful and leaves a large abdominal incision.  Using the endoscope, we can find the correct location on the stomach and then bring it to the body wall for suturing.  The incision used in the endoscopic assisted surgery is significantly smaller than the traditional surgery.  This leads to less pain post surgery and a quicker healing time.

How many of our dogs have eaten something they were not supposed to eat? Many dogs are notorious for eating anything that is not nailed down. The endoscope has saved many dogs and cats from long recoveries due to a more invasive exploratory surgery.
Using the endoscope, we are sometimes able to remove the odd things that dogs and cats eat. We have removed balls, coins, clothing, and even a $100 bill. In order for the endoscope to be effective on foreign material, the material must be only in the stomach or esophagus, must be large enough to be grasped and no portion can go into the intestines. In the cases where endoscopy is not successful, a full exploratory surgery is needed. When the endoscopic procedure is successful, it usually has many benefits, including quicker recoveries and return to normal eating, no sutures to be removed, and little to no pain.

Please ask our doctors or staff about this wonderful piece of equipment.