- VEG
- 9 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Have you ever wondered what an endoscopy is or when your pet might need one? Well, here's a scenario: You were missing a sock and the dog looked a bit guilty. Could it be on its way through your pup's digestive tract? Here's where an endoscopy can help!
Getting your dog (or cat or any pet) to your nearest VEG ER for Pets as soon as possible after they’ve ingested a foreign object may give your pet the chance to avoid traditional surgical removal of the item and be treated via endoscopy instead.
What is endoscopy?
Endoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that lets our emergency veterinarian see inside your pet’s gastrointestinal tract without going through traditional surgery. Using a small camera called an endoscope, the vet can examine the upper digestive tract (back of throat, esophagus, and stomach) to help diagnose what’s causing your pet’s symptoms.
Most endoscopes have a small channel that allows instruments to pass through. This means the vet will be able to remove foreign objects or collect tissue samples for testing, all without making a surgical incision.
There are two main types of endoscopes: flexible or rigid. At VEG, we use flexible endoscopes, which are designed to navigate curved, tubular, and winding cavities. They’re ideal for examining areas and removing foreign objects from the upper gastrointestinal tract.
When is endoscopy used on pets?
Endoscopy is commonly used for:
Removal of foreign objects
Endoscopy is most often used to remove foreign bodies from accidental ingestions. An endoscope is used to extract foreign materials/objects from the stomach or esophagus without traditional surgery and surgery’s complications. Successful endoscopy helps avoid the risks and recovery time of surgery.
Gastrointestinal endoscopy
An endoscope can be used to check both the upper and lower GI tracts. At VEG, since we only provide medical care for emergencies like accidental ingestions, we use an endoscope to perform upper GI endoscopy.
Upper GI endoscopy (Esophagoscopy, Gastroscopy)
The endoscope passes through the pet’s mouth and is guided down the throat to view the esophagus and stomach.
Pet preparation for endoscopy
Avoid giving your pet food or water if you think they may have swallowed a foreign object, as this could make endoscopy more difficult.
At VEG emergency vet hospital, your vet will also check your pet’s vital signs and perform bloodwork to make sure they are healthy enough to undergo anesthesia.
The procedure itself usually takes between 30-60 minutes. Your VEG vet will keep your pet at the hospital until they have sufficiently recovered from anesthesia and are safe to be discharged from the hospital.
What to know about your pet’s recovery from endoscopy
Endoscopy is typically an outpatient procedure, meaning your pet likely will not require an overnight hospital stay. There may be instances when hospitalization is recommended, depending on your pet’s health and the condition being treated. You are welcome to stay with your pet at VEG, even if hospitalized overnight.
Recovery is usually quick and pets can go back to their daily routine of eating and exercising by the next day. If a biopsy was taken, it usually takes 3-7 days to receive results from the lab.
Other things to keep in mind about your pet's recovery from endoscopy:
After endoscopy, a bland or soft diet may be recommended.
An antacid or anti-nausea medication may be sent home.
Medications such as sucralfate or carafate to soothe irritated portions of the esophagus may also be prescribed if there was a lot of inflammation in the esophagus. This medication coats the digestive tract and should be given on an empty stomach. It can make it harder for pets to absorb other medications, so talk to the veterinarian about timing if your pet is on daily medications.
Risks of endoscopy in pets
Endoscopy is a very safe procedure. Removing sharp objects that may have been ingested, your pet’s age and general health, and general anesthesia can increase risks, though it is very rare.
Limits of endoscopy - when veterinary surgery is necessary
While endoscopy is a versatile and well-tolerated procedure, there are times when traditional surgery cannot be avoided.
In some cases, the foreign material may not be found with endoscopy and surgery may be needed to remove the material.
If a foreign object has gone past the stomach deeper into the intestinal tract, endoscopy is no longer an option and traditional surgery will be needed for removal.
Traditional surgery may be the preferred treatment for removing foreign objects that are:
Endoscopes only view the inside of the gastrointestinal lining, or the mucosa. It can’t display deeper intestinal wall layers, the outside of the organ or nearby structures like the pancreas, liver, or lymph nodes.
Endoscopy cannot determine absorption or digestion issues, motility abnormalities, or dietary hypersensitivities.
Tissue samples taken for biopsies are typically very small and superficial and may not be adequate for conditions that require deeper tissue sampling.
The bottom line
Endoscopy is usually a relatively quick procedure and is a great option to avoid surgery. The recovery following endoscopy is minimal as compared to surgery. Most pets are back on their feet within hours after the procedure. The biggest trick is keeping them from eating more foreign material!
VEG ER for Pets is open 24/7 for whenever you need us
VEG ER for Pets provides advanced diagnostic/surgical procedures like endoscopy to diagnose and treat your pet quickly, effectively and comfortably. If you suspect your pet has ingested something he/she shouldn’t have, don’t wait to “see if it passes.” Not only can an object lodge in your pet’s intestines and cause a blockage, but internal damage from sharp objects (e.g., sticks) can worsen the longer they remain in your pet.
Remember that all of our locations are open 24/7, including weekends and holidays for your peace of mind and your pet’s health.
