What does endoscopy offer?
An endoscopy is a procedure in which a small camera scope is inserted into the patient through the esophagus. It has many uses, including taking biopsies and cultures, removing foreign bodies, removing polyps, dilating strictures, and placing feeding tubes. When recommended, it is a non-invasive alternative to surgery.
How long does my pet have to stay after the endoscopic procedure?
Patients that have an endoscopy can typically be released the same day as the procedure. Endoscopy is not right for every patient, but when it is appropriate, it is quicker, easier, safer, and less expensive than major surgery.
What is a rhinoscopy?
A rhinoscopy is a procedure in which a small camera scope is inserted into the patient’s nose. Depending on the patient’s size and the issue being investigated, the scope is either inserted into the front of the nose, the back of the nose (nasopharynx) or both. Typically this is performed in conjunction with other advanced imaging, such as a CT scan. Uses of rhinoscopy including taking biopsies and cultures, debulking a nasal mass, assessing and debriding fungal plaques, removing foreign bodies, and dilating strictures or stenoses.
How long does my pet need to stay following a rhinoscopy?
Patients that have a rhinoscopy can typically be released the same day as the procedure. In some cases, monitoring overnight may be recommended, depending on how a patient does while under anesthesia and during the post-procedure recovery period. Because of the hard-to-access location of lesions within the nose, rhinoscopy provides a valuable diagnostic option for diseases within the nose.
Does my pet need to be completely asleep for these procedures?
Yes, anesthesia is required for both procedures for the comfort and safety of the patient. Pets will have bloodwork run before any sedation and will be closely monitored during the procedure to minimize any anesthesia-related risks.
How will my referring veterinarian know what’s going on with my pet?
A referral letter is generated and sent to your referring veterinarian once final results are available, and our internal medicine department updates you and your veterinarian once we have culture, cytology, or histopathology results available with our best recommendations.