Endoscopy

Endoscopy is what our veterinarians use to help us more accurately diagnose your pet and treat some conditions. It’s a minimally invasive procedure that removes the need for surgery in some cases. As the field of endoscopy constantly evolves, our veterinary team of experts, like Dr. Stavros Iacovides, is continuously examining how the tool can be used in our practice.

What is endoscopy?

Endoscopy uses a small tube-shaped device with a camera and light attached to it to examine inside your pet’s body. It’s inserted into your pet’s mouth, or rectum and the view of your pet’s insides are projected onto a screen our veterinary team can examine. Since it’s a less invasive procedure than surgery, your furry friend will be able to go home immediately after the procedure. If you have questions about your pet’s upcoming endoscopy, please contact our team at 204-488-1843.

When might a veterinarian recommend it?

If your veterinarian needs to examine your furry friend’s stomach, esophagus or organs like the stomach and colon, endoscopy is the tool they’ll use. It might show us any areas of inflammation or scarring. Endoscopy is helpful in diagnosing the early stages of diseases like lymphoma, which makes it easier to develop an effective treatment plan. It also allows us to detect gastrointestinal disorders like irritable bowel syndrome. It also shows us foreign objects your furry might’ve swallowed, like rocks or toys that create blockages, that we can remove.

How can I prepare my pet for it?

Our veterinary team will provide you with details on the steps you’ll need to take before the procedure. Your pet will need to go under general anesthesia for the procedure. Before any pets have general anesthesia, we do bloodwork to see how they will respond to the medicine. This means they’ll need to fast before. After anesthesia has been administered, we’ll insert the endoscope. Before the procedure, your furry friend might need to fast or take medicine to remove any internal fecal matter, depending on the area being examined.