An endoscope gives your vet a closer look inside your pet’s body using a small, flexible camera, without the need for incisions or major surgery.
For our Internal Medicine team, endoscopy is a valuable tool that can help us investigate symptoms, reach a diagnosis and, in some cases, provide treatment at the same time.
What can an endoscope be used for?
Endoscopy allows our team to examine areas including the nose, airways, oesophagus, stomach and the first part of the small intestine.
It can be particularly useful when investigating problems such as:
- ongoing vomiting or diarrhoea
- chronic nasal discharge
- coughing.
During the procedure, small tissue samples, or biopsies, can also be collected for further testing.
Another important use for endoscopy is finding and removing swallowed objects, known as foreign bodies. Depending on the object and where it is located, this can sometimes avoid the need for surgery.
A first for our new Internal Medicine team
Dr Ferran Valls Sanchez and nurse Tara recently treated their first endoscopy patient together as part of our new Internal Medicine service.
Little toy poodle, Honey, came to AREC after developing vigorous retching shortly after quickly gobbling down a large treat. Our team suspected that part of the treat had become lodged in the oesophagus, which was confirmed with a radiograph.
Using the endoscope, Dr Ferran was able to quickly confirm the obstruction. Part of the treat was removed, while the remainder was safely moved into the stomach.
Honey recovered well from the procedure and was able to head home the same day.
Could endoscopy be an option for your pet?
In many cases, endoscopy provides a relatively quick and minimally invasive way to investigate and treat certain conditions.
If your pet needs further investigation for ongoing gastrointestinal, respiratory or nasal symptoms, or has been diagnosed with a foreign body, your regular vet can advise whether referral for endoscopy may be appropriate.
