Your beloved pet has an upcoming endoscopic examination, which will help the veterinarian diagnose any digestive issues they may have. Our vets at Fort Pierce offer comprehensive information on endoscopies.
What is an endoscope?
An endoscope is a flexible tube that has a viewing port or a video camera attachment. It is inserted through the mouth into the stomach or through the rectum into the colon. The endoscope helps in examining the insides of these hollow organs. It's useful for diagnosing strictures, abnormal cells, or tumors. It also helps in removing any foreign objects that may be present.
What is the endoscopy procedure like?
Before a gastrointestinal endoscopy, your pet will need to be free of all foods and feces. Depending on the internal location of the endoscope inspection, your pet will need to fast for 12 to 18 hours to clear its system. Before the procedure, at least one enema may be required.
An endoscopy is needed to thoroughly examine your pet's esophagus, stomach, intestinal tract, and/or colon. They will be sedated during the procedure to ensure your pet is comfortable and still. The endoscope will be inserted either through the mouth or rectum and advanced to visualize the necessary area.
If a biopsy or foreign body removal is required, an additional device can be passed through the endoscope to perform other procedures as needed.
When can I know the results?
When organs are viewed in real-time, any findings are immediately apparent. However, the final diagnosis is typically established by the pathologist's examination of biopsies. The timeframe for this can range from a few days to a week, depending on the situation.
What kinds of diseases can be diagnosed with an endoscopy?
An endoscope allows you to see the esophagus, stomach, and upper part of the small intestine or colon in full color. The examiner can detect abnormalities such as inflammation, abnormal swelling, scarring, and strictures (abnormal narrowing). Any abnormal areas can also have precise biopsy samples taken. These samples are made up of tiny pieces of tissue cut from the organ's lining by the biopsy instrument.
Can cancer be diagnosed with an endoscopy?
If your pet is suspected of having gastrointestinal cancer, the veterinarian may use an endoscope to diagnose it. However, there are instances where tumors do not affect the stomach or colon's inner lining, leading to normal biopsy results despite persistent clinical symptoms. In these cases, obtaining biopsies may require exploratory surgery or non-invasive tests like an MRI.
How fast will my pet recover from an endoscopy?
Most pets recover quickly and easily following an endoscopy. Your pet should be released shortly after the procedure. Your pet should be able to go home for rest once their awake and responding to care.
After an endoscopy, the time frame for your pet to resume normal activities depends on the reason for the procedure. If it was for discovery, your veterinarian will discuss the next steps and options with you. If the purpose was to locate and remove a foreign object, you and your pet can return to normal activities right after waking up from anesthesia. However, if a biopsy was performed, receiving the pathology report may take up to a week before resuming play and eating.