Here at VCA Redwood Animal Hospital we are proud to be able to offer endoscopy which provides a minimally invasive technique that can help aid in diagnosing the cause of chronic vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite or unexplained weight loss in our dog and cat patients. Instead of needing surgery and longer hospital stays, we use our flexible endoscope with its camera to see into parts of the stomach, small intestines and colon. With the endoscope we can then retrieve biopsy samples and still have the patient go home the same day in most cases. There are no incisions or sutures and so there is very little discomfort for our patients. While anesthesia is required, thanks to our skilled licensed technicians and our ability to monitor our patients with advanced equipment the risk to our patients is always kept to a minimum.
With our endoscope we are also able to retrieve certain types of foreign objects swallowed by some of our more curious patients. Depending on the size and location, some objects may be safely removed and so avoid invasive surgery. The endoscope may also be used to remove grass blades inhaled accidentally by some nature loving cats and so end persistent episodes of painful sneezing.
We also use our endoscope to help diagnose more serious diseases such as lymphoma, and other nasal, esophageal and stomach cancers. Scarring of the esophagus and stomach ulcers may also be detected with this procedure. Discovering these serious illnesses quickly and with minimal recovery time allows for treatment to begin sooner and give our patients the best quality of life possible.
If you have any questions in regards to this procedure or believe your pet may benefit from endoscopy please feel free to contact us so we may discuss with you whether or not this is the best procedure to help your pet with any current symptoms he/she may be having.
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