Veterinary endoscopy

It is a safe diagnostic procedure that allows a visual assessment of internal organ damage. An endoscope is a flexible instrument containing a colour video camera. The camera is used to view the inside of the organs and their mucous membranes: the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum, the large intestine when entering rectally, and the nasal passages, trachea and upper bronchi when entering through the nostrils. 

Advantages of endoscopy

• Our veterinary clinic uses modern diagnostic equipment to detect a wide range of diseases.
• Early diagnosis of the disease will prevent its progression by prescribing appropriate treatment.
• A minimally invasive procedure;
• Non-surgical diagnostic method, sampling;
• Removal of foreign bodies from the oesophagus and stomach;
• Rapid evaluation and interpretation of test results;
• Short anaesthetic period – faster recovery of the animal.

Gastroscopy

It is an examination of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum. Redness, erosions, ulcers, oedema, necrosis can be observed in the oesophagus. Structural abnormalities of the oesophagus are detected: strictures, formations, hernias, foreign bodies, inflammation. Haemorrhages, ulcers, masses, foreign bodies, gastric parasites or retained food or water may also be observed in the gastric mucosa. Identification of duodenal ulcers, neoplasms, visual assessment of pancreatic and biliary duct openings into the duodenum.

Colonoscopy

Examination of the colon and anterior small bowel. Performed when there is fresh blood or mucus in the stool and chronic diarrhoea and difficult defecation. Mucosal lesions, structural abnormalities such as formations, intestinal strictures are identified. 

Bronchoscopy

An endoscopic examination of the nasopharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and bronchial biopsy (a piece of bronchial tissue is taken and examined in the laboratory).

Preparation of the animal for the procedure and what the owner needs to know before the procedure

• Anaesthesia is essential for a safe procedure, and it is recommended that the heart and internal organs are tested
• The animal must be starved for 8-12 hours. During colonoscopy, the animal must be fasted for 12-20 hours.
• The results and interpretation of the examination are available immediately, unless a biopsy sample is sent for microscopic evaluation of the organ.

Biopsy examination

The biopsy forceps in the narrow channel of the endoscope are used to take small pieces of mucosa (samples) which are examined histopathologically to evaluate the lesions or tissues.