Gastrointestinal Endoscopy & Cystoscopy

All endoscopic procedures are performed using the very versatile endoscope: a flexible, camera-based diagnostic tool that is used to visualize, diagnose, biopsy, and in many cases, treat areas of the body ranging from the nose and throat to the stomach and bladder. A rigid endoscope allows visualization of interior joint surfaces. Regardless of which area of the patient’s body is being examined or treated, the procedures are very similar.

1. The patient is fasted a minimum of eight hours previous to the endoscopic procedure.
2. The patient is placed under general anesthesia, and a sterile endoscopic tube is inserted gently into the body via the nose, mouth, urethra, or rectum.
3. The attending veterinarian monitors and records all results for analysis.
4. The patient is usually discharged the same day, once recovered from anesthesia, unless further and or/immediate action is deemed required.

An esophagoscopy is performed to get accurate diagnostic views of the esophagus.

The major reasons to perform an esophagoscopy are:

• Evaluation of patients with symptoms of chronic regurgitation(vomiting), excessive drooling, or difficulty swallowing.
• Diagnosis of diseases such as esophagitis.
• Location, visualization, and removal of foreign bodies and masses.
• Esophageal sample collection for laboratory analysis.

A gastroscopy is performed to get accurate diagnostic views of the inside of the stomach.

The major reasons to perform a gastroscopy are:

• Evaluation of patients with symptoms of chronic regurgitation(vomiting), anorexia, or loss of appetite.
• To rule out or confirm gastrointestinal bleeding.
• Location, visualization, and removal of foreign bodies and masses.
• Stomach sample collection for laboratory analysis.

A duodenoscopy is performed to get accurate diagnostic views of the duodenum, the first segment of the small intestine. In addition, the duodenal papilae, where the bile and pancreatic ducts enter the duodenum, can also be evaluated.

The major reasons to perform a duodenoscopy are:

• Evaluation of patients with symptoms of chronic regurgitation(vomiting), anorexia, loss of appetite, or diarrhea.
• Location, visualization, and removal of foreign bodies and masses.
• Duodenal sample collection for laboratory analysis.

A colonoscopy is performed to get accurate diagnostic views of the colon and large intestine. This procedure differs slightly from other endoscopic procedures. The colon must be properly flushed of waste material prior to the procedure to get an accurate view of the area. This is accomplished via the administration of oral laxatives and multiple enemas 24 hours prior to the procedure.

The major reasons to perform a colonoscopy are:

• Evaluation of patients with symptoms of chronic large bowel diarrhea, constipation, or fresh blood in the stool.
• Further investigation of abnormal findings noted during a traditional rectal exam.
• Location, visualization, and removal of foreign bodies and masses.
• Colonic or intestinal sample collection for laboratory analysis.

An ileoscopy is performed to get accurate diagnostic views of the ileum, the last segment of the small intestine. This procedure is usually performed in conjunction with a colonoscopy but cannot be accomplished in all patients due to body mass variations.

The major reasons to perform an ileoscopy are:

• Evaluation of patients diagnosed with small intestine or ileal disease based on other testing such as ultrasound.
• Location, visualization, and removal of foreign bodies and masses.
• Ileal sample collection for laboratory analysis.

A cystoscopy is performed in order to get accurate diagnostic views of the urinary bladder. This procedure cannot be accomplished on male cats due to their anatomy.

The major reasons to perform cystoscopy are:

• To diagnose diseases of the urethra and bladder when other methods are inconclusive.
• To facilitate the placement of stints to relieve urinary obstruction.
• Location, visualization and removal of foreign bodies and calculi.
• Urethra/bladder sample collection for laboratory analysis.