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Endoscopy

From the Greek "To Look Within"

At Springwell Veterinary Surgery we have a video endoscopic suite in which we can perform investigative and curative procedures.

  • With an array of rigid and flexible telescopes we can "look within" any natural opening, or if necessary through surgical ports. We can then take samples for diagnosis, administer treatments locally and remove foreign bodies.
  • Gastroduodenoscopy:

    We can negotiate our way down the oesophagus, through the stomach and along the duodenum (early small intestine)

  • Colonoscopy:
    We can investigate problems of thr large intestine.
  • Rhinoscopy:
    Allows access to the nasal chambers using a rigid endoscope or the pharynx using a flexible bronchoscope. If required it is possible to create a small hole in the skull to look into the frontal sinus.
  • Otoscopy:
    Beyond conditions of the external ear we can now examine and directly treat the middle ear via the ear drum.
  • Vaginoscopy:
    In bitches we can examine the whole urogenital tract even looking into the bladder and urethral openings.
  • Bronchoscopy:
    Permits us to look into all seven of the lung lobes to the level of the larger bronchioles in dogs.
  • Sinuscopy:
    Following discharging tracts, "sinuses", can help track down and remove migrating foreign bodies which may be otherwise impossible to find. Usually grass seeds!
  • Arthroscopy:
    With a tiny 2.4mm telescope we can look into, diagnose and treat some conditions of the elbow and shoulder joints in dogs.
  • Laparoscopy:
    Enables us to explore the whole abdomen.
  • Thoracoscopy:
    Gives us painless and much safer access to look inside the chest, where as previously surgically opening it would of been a very painful and potentially high-risk surgery.

*WARNING - SURGICAL IMAGES BELOW*

A Dog's Stomach.

What has he been eating then? Contents of a dog's stomach.

A Dog's Tumour

A tumour in the colon of a dog.

Nasal Anatomy

A normal nasal anatomy

Dog Nasal Tumour

A nasal tumour in a dog
Some of the procedures that we perform endoscopically are not possible by any other means. For example examination and treatment of the canine urethra, colon, middle ear or lungs. Other procedures may require extensive surgery to achieve the same goal, for example investigation and treatment of canine joints or removal of foreign bodies from the stomach.

The most common endoscopies unsurprisingly result from foreign bodies. These are:

  • Gastric - bones, stones and toys
  • Nasal - grass seeds
  • Lung - wheat ears
  • Sinus - grass seeds
  • Ear - such as grass seeds

We happily accept referrals from other veterinary practices.

Referrals