Endoscopic procedures have been developed in many areas of veterinary medicine to offer you and your pet less invasive - and less painful - alternatives to traditional open surgery. Some of the most common endoscopic procedures include arthroscopy, bronchoscopy, gastrointestinal endoscopy, gastropexy, laparoscopy, laparoscopic spay, otoscopy, rhinoscopy, and cystoscopy

 What is Endoscopy?

Endoscopy is a technique for performing medical procedures through natural openings in the body or through one or more tiny holes. An endoscope inserted in the body magnifies internal structures on a TV monitor for thorough examination. Surgical instruments may be used through the same opening or through an additional small incision. 

Advantages of Endoscopy:

• Less Pain
• Excellent Visualization of internal organs
• Fewer complications
• Faster Recovery
• Ability to access otherwise inaccessible parts of the body

Endoscopic Procedures we perform at the clinic:

• Laparoscopic Spays - When performing a laparoscopic spay, the procedure is done through 2 or 3 tiny incisions in the abdomen, typically 3/16" in size. The procedure is performed with magnified views of the organs allowing for greater precision. The ovarian ligament is carefully cut and cauterized, rather than torn. Laparoscopic spays offer up to 65% less pain and less trauma than traditional spays.
• Gastropexy - A preventative surgery that can be performed laparoscopically on 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. Endoscopy prevents the need to perform open surgery, which requires an incision of 6" to 12". Gastropexy is often done at the time of laparoscopic spay.
• Gastrointestinal Endoscopy - This involves the exploration of the stomach and intestines. It is most commonly used for obtaining biopsies and the removal of foreign bodies. Some reasons for gastrointestinal endoscopy include chronic regurgitation, salivation, nausea, vomiting, blood in the stool, anorexia, diarrhea, weight loss, fecal mucous, and straining to defecate.
• Cystoscopy - Endoscopy of the urinary bladder, used in patients presenting with chronic infections, blood in the urine, straining to urinate, stones, abnormal radiographs
• Otoscopy - Endoscopy of the external and middle ear. Otoscopy allows for safe and thorough ear cleaning under constant visualization, removal of foreign objects, polyp removal and diagnostic sampling.
• Rhinoscopy - Endoscopy of the nasal cavity, commonly indicated in cats and dogs with chronic nasal discharge, nasal obstruction, chronic sneezing, nasal bleeding, facial distortion, nasal pain, acute severe sneezing, reverse sneezing, and abnormal radiographs.

Please give us a call if you would like more information about any of these procedures!