Looking to book an appointment for a cat or dog endoscopy in Abingdon? Boundary Vets are your local pet endoscopy specialists.
What Is a Cat or Dog Endoscopy? How Does It Work?
Cat or dog endoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure performed on pets to diagnose gastrointestinal conditions, take samples for analysis, and assess the linings of organs or structures – helping to spot potential issues without the need for surgery! Endoscopy can even be used to remove small foreign objects and locate abnormal cells, all without causing more risk than necessary to your pet.
Although less invasive, costly, and risky than other surgical options, cat or dog endoscopy will still require the use of general anaesthetic. The procedure involved inserting a camera via an animal’s mouth in order to assess and evaluate the health of your pet’s small intestines, stomach, and oesophagus. Anaesthetic patients are continuously monitored by our nurses, who are trained in this area on a regular basis. As part of the procedure, we will usually keep an eye on the recovery of your pet for the day so that we can ensure they are as safe as possible.
When Is a Cat or Dog Endoscopy Needed?
Cat or dog endoscopy may be needed if your pet is experiencing various symptoms associated with gastrointestinal distress, such as vomiting, diarrhoea, disinterest in food, and weight loss. If these symptoms do not resolve themselves naturally within a few days, your vet may recommend an endoscopy procedure in order to fully investigate the symptoms and assess for any potential gastrointestinal conditions or complications.
A pet endoscopy procedure will only usually be recommended if external examinations and routine tests have failed to identify the cause of the symptoms. These tests may include blood tests, urine samples, faecal examinations, ultrasound, or radiographs, which will check for both diseases and common conditions.
What Can a Pet Endoscopy Help Diagnose?
There are several gastrointestinal conditions, diseases, and other potential issues that a pet endoscopy can help to detect and diagnose. These include, but are not limited to:
- Digestive disorders.
- Gastrointestinal conditions.
- Ulcers
- Abscesses
- Blockages
- Foreign objects.
- Internal trauma.
- Abnormal cells.
- Tumours
- Some forms of cancer, such as lymphoma.
What Are the Different Types of Pet Endoscopy?
Different endoscopies can be performed depending on the pet's symptoms. Boundary Vets has two endoscopes. A narrow, rigid handheld endoscope for examining small areas, such as the nasal cavity (rhinoscopy), and a larger, flexible endoscope for examining deeper interiors, such as the airways and stomach.
A few examples of potential pet endoscopy procedures include:
- Esophagoscopy (endoscopy of the oesophagus). It is recommended for patients with aphasia, a condition in which dogs and cats can ingest food but cannot swallow, and experience symptoms such as excessive salivation, loss of appetite, and recurrent pneumonia.
- Gastrointestinal endoscopy is indicated if the animal has signs consistent with gastric disease.
- Duodenoscopy (endoscopy of the small intestine) is indicated if the person has diarrhoea and the intestine is thickened when the abdomen is palpated.
- Airway endoscopy is used for diseases of the upper respiratory tract.
How Long Does a Cat or Dog Endoscopy Take? What Is the Recovery Time?
Generally, the actual cat or dog endoscopy procedure will take between 20-40 minutes. However, your pet will stay the day with us to allow time to prepare the patient, keep them comfortable, and monitor your pet after the procedure.
The main reason for this is that your cat or dog will need to be administered a general anaesthetic for the endoscopy, which will need time to take effect. Your pet will then be continuously monitored by our nurses to ensure their safety and swift recovery.
Our team will contact you when your pet is ready for collection. The general anaesthetic may take 12-48 hours to wear off completely, which may make them sleepier or quieter than normal. However, after this, they should return to their normal selves relatively quickly. As a pet endoscopy is a less invasive procedure, the recovery time is much more rapid than other surgical options.
If this is not the case, and you are concerned about the wellbeing of your pet after your procedure, please get in touch with our team here at Boundary Vets – we are happy to help! If samples have been taken during your pet’s endoscopy, your vet will be in touch with results within the discussed time frame wherever possible.
Common Side Effects Whilst Your Dog Recovers From an Endoscopy
Your pet will be sedated so the procedure is completely painless. Mild nausea may occur after gastroduodenoscopy, but most patients show no signs of discomfort. Patients who undergo rhinoscopy often become congested after the procedure and may experience nosebleeds.
Noticing your cat or dog coughing after an endoscopy? Your cat or dog may have a post-procedural cough after an endoscopy due to irritation from the endotracheal tube used for anaesthesia but should subside within 48 hours. If this continues, consult your veterinarian.
Contact Your Local Abingdon Vet to Arrange a Dog Endoscopy
If you have noticed a change in your pet's behaviour, why not book an appointment with Boundary Vets today. Our highly skilled team of veterinary clinicians and nurses are here to advise you on the best solutions for your pet's health, helping to bring them back to good health!
If you are looking for an effective way to spread the cost of your pet's healthcare, take a look at our Pet Health for Life plans today. Available for both cats and dogs, these plans ensure that your pet receives the best care throughout the year and your costs are spread evenly across the year.
Learn more about Cat Pet Health for Life plans Learn more about Dog Pet Health for Life plans
We look forward to seeing you and your pet at Boundary Vets!
