Rhinoscopy And Upper Airway Endoscopy

All endoscopic procedures are performed using the very versatile endoscope: a flexible, camera-based diagnostic tool which 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.

Rhinoscopy and bronchoscopy are two of the most common veterinary endoscopic procedures due to the variety of foreign materials (sticks, etc.) which can become lodged in the nasal cavities, mouths, and throats of our pets.

A rhinoscopy is performed in order to get accurate diagnostic views of the nasal passages. This procedure can be performed on most small patients.

The major reasons to perform a rhinoscopy are:

• Evaluation of patients with chronic nasal discharge (especially from a single nostril), bleeding and/or inflammation and sneezing or “reverse” sneezing.
• Location, visualization, and removal of foreign bodies and masses.
• Nasal passage sample collection for laboratory analysis.

An upper-airway endoscopy or bronchoscopy is performed in order to get accurate diagnostic views of the trachea and major bronchi. This procedure can be performed on most small patients.

The major reasons to perform a bronchoscopy are:

• Evaluation of patients with chronic coughing and/or breathing problems.
• Location, visualization, and removal of foreign bodies and masses.
• Airway sample collection for laboratory analysis.