Endoscopy

Endoscopy is a diagnostic tool used by veterinarians to look inside certain parts of your pet’s body. An endoscope is most commonly used to look inside your pet’s intestines, colon, ear, throat or nose.

An endoscope (flexible or rigid) is a long tube with a video camera and light attached to the tip. The video is broadcast to a specialized computer in real-time, allowing the doctor to guide the endoscope where needed. Specialized instruments, such as grasping forceps, can be passed through the tube to perform procedures such as a biopsy or object removal. In most cases, endoscopy is considered less invasive than a surgical procedure. Unfortunately, there are some places in the body that an endoscope cannot reach; if this is the case your veterinarian will recommend an alternative treatment plan.

The endoscope is most commonly used for:

• Gastroscopy
• Colonoscopy
• Rhinoscopy
• Otoscopy
• Tracheoscopy

What to expect

Before the procedure

If your pet will be sedated or anesthetized, it is vital your pet be fasted overnight prior to the procedure. If there are any specific instructions the SAVE team will discuss that with you ahead of time. If you have any further questions about how to prepare your pet for an endoscopy, give us a call at 403.995.3270. If any blood tests are needed prior to the procedure, these will be performed prior to sedation, and any abnormal results will be discussed with you.

During the procedure

Your pet may be sedated or anesthetized before most endoscopic procedures. They will be monitored throughout the procedure by a registered veterinary technologist (nurse). When the endoscopy is completed, your pet will be monitored and kept comfortable while waking up from the sedation.

After the endoscopy

Patients normally go home on the same day as the procedure. Because your pet may still be groggy after the procedure, it is recommended to monitor them closely for the rest of the evening once home. You will be provided with discharge instructions specific to your pet when you pick them up.

How do I get an appointment for an endoscopy?

1. Your primary care veterinarian can refer your pet for an endoscopy via our diagnostic referral form.
2. If you bring your pet through our urgent care department and your pet would benefit from an endoscopy, we will form a treatment plan that best suits your pet’s needs. If you approve the treatment plan, your pet will be booked for an endoscopy. The date of the endoscopy will be determined based on urgency. In some cases, the endoscopic procedure will need to be performed the same day.

If you have any questions about our endoscopy service, please call us at 403.995.3270.