Veterinary Endoscopy

    At AhojVet we provide veterinary endoscopy in Bratislava as part of advanced diagnostic care for dogs and cats.

    Our endoscopic services include gastroscopy, colonoscopy, rectoscopy, bronchoscopy, rhinoscopy, video otoscopy, cystoscopy, vaginoscopy and laryngoscopy, as well as targeted biopsies, sample collection and selected endoscopic therapeutic procedures.

    Endoscopy allows us to see abnormalities directly, obtain targeted samples and, in suitable cases, perform minimally invasive treatment.

    If your dog or cat has persistent gastrointestinal, respiratory, urinary, nasal or ear-related problems, or a suspected foreign body, an endoscopic examination may be an appropriate part of the diagnostic process.

    Gastroscopy for Dogs and Cats

    Veterinary gastroscopy allows direct examination of the esophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestine if it is anatomically accessible.

    Gastroscopy may be recommended for dogs and cats with:

    • persistent or recurrent vomiting
    • difficulty swallowing
    • regurgitation
    • chronic gastrointestinal problems
    • suspected inflammation of the esophagus or stomach
    • suspected gastric or esophageal ulcers
    • suspected strictures or other structural abnormalities
    • suspected gastrointestinal tumors
    • suspected foreign bodies in the esophagus or stomach
    • the need for gastrointestinal biopsy samples

    An important advantage of gastroscopy is the possibility of removing certain foreign bodies endoscopically. In suitable cases, objects lodged in the esophagus or stomach can therefore be removed without conventional open surgery.

    Colonoscopy for Dogs and Cats

    Veterinary colonoscopy allows direct examination of the lining of the rectum and large intestine.

    Colonoscopy may be recommended in patients with:

    • chronic or recurrent diarrhea
    • blood or mucus in the stool
    • painful or difficult defecation
    • suspected chronic inflammatory bowel disease
    • suspected polyps or tumors
    • other structural abnormalities of the large intestine
    • the need for targeted intestinal biopsies

    Proper bowel preparation is essential for a high-quality colonoscopic examination. Owners receive detailed preparation instructions before the procedure.

    Rectoscopy

    Rectoscopy is an endoscopic examination of the rectum and terminal part of the large intestine.

    It may be useful in dogs and cats with rectal bleeding, painful or difficult defecation, suspected inflammation, polyps, tumors, foreign bodies, or other abnormalities affecting this area.

    Bronchoscopy for Dogs and Cats

    Veterinary bronchoscopy allows direct examination of the trachea and bronchi and can be an important diagnostic procedure in dogs and cats with respiratory disease.

    Bronchoscopy may be recommended in cases of:

    • chronic or unexplained coughing
    • recurrent lower respiratory tract disease
    • breathing difficulties
    • suspected chronic bronchial inflammation
    • suspected airway foreign bodies
    • suspected anatomical abnormalities
    • suspected tumors of the respiratory tract
    • the need to obtain samples from the lower airways

    Depending on the findings, bronchoscopy can also be used to perform bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), targeted sample collection or biopsy for further laboratory investigation.

    Rhinoscopy for Dogs and Cats

    Veterinary rhinoscopy is used to examine the nasal passages and selected areas of the nasal cavity.

    Rhinoscopy may be recommended for patients with:

    • chronic nasal discharge
    • unilateral nasal discharge
    • recurrent sneezing
    • nosebleeds
    • difficulty breathing through the nose
    • suspected nasal foreign bodies
    • chronic inflammatory nasal disease
    • suspected nasal tumors or other pathological changes

    During rhinoscopy, samples can be collected for cytology, histopathology or microbiological testing. In selected cases, nasal foreign bodies may also be removed endoscopically.

    Otoscopy and Video Otoscopy

    Video otoscopy provides a detailed view of the external ear canal and eardrum and is particularly useful in dogs and cats with chronic or recurrent ear disease.

    It may be recommended for:

    • recurrent or chronic ear infections
    • painful ears
    • discharge from the ear canal
    • suspected ear canal foreign bodies
    • suspected polyps or tumors
    • detailed examination of the ear canal and eardrum
    • thorough cleaning and treatment of the ear canal

    Depending on the findings, the procedure may include sample collection, removal of a foreign body, flushing of the ear canal or other targeted treatment.

    Cystoscopy – Endoscopy of the Urinary Tract

    Veterinary cystoscopy allows direct examination of the urethra and urinary bladder.

    Cystoscopy may be useful in dogs and cats with:

    • recurrent urinary problems
    • blood in the urine
    • chronic or recurrent urinary tract disease
    • suspected anatomical abnormalities
    • suspected polyps or tumors
    • the need for targeted biopsy or other samples
    • selected diseases of the urethra and urinary bladder

    Direct visualisation of the urinary tract can provide valuable diagnostic information when other diagnostic methods do not fully explain the patient’s symptoms.

    Vaginoscopy

    Veterinary vaginoscopy allows endoscopic examination of the vagina and can be used as part of the diagnostic investigation of reproductive tract disorders.

    It may be recommended in cases of:

    • chronic or unusual vaginal discharge
    • unexplained bleeding
    • recurrent inflammation
    • suspected anatomical abnormalities
    • suspected foreign bodies
    • polyps
    • tumors or other pathological changes

    Targeted samples can also be collected during the procedure for further laboratory examination.

    Laryngoscopy – Examination of the Larynx

    Veterinary laryngoscopy allows detailed examination of the larynx and can help investigate dogs and cats with:

    • changes in voice
    • noisy breathing
    • difficulty breathing
    • difficulty swallowing
    • chronic coughing
    • suspected laryngeal dysfunction
    • suspected inflammatory changes
    • anatomical or neurological abnormalities
    • suspected tumors

    The examination can help determine the location and nature of abnormalities affecting the larynx and upper respiratory tract.

    Veterinary Endoscopy: Diagnosis, Biopsy and Treatment

    Endoscopy is more than a diagnostic imaging technique. One of its major advantages is the ability to combine direct visual examination with targeted sample collection and, in selected cases, treatment during the same procedure.

    Depending on the type of endoscopy and the findings, we may perform:

    • targeted biopsies
    • cytological sampling
    • microbiological sampling
    • bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)
    • endoscopic removal of selected foreign bodies
    • flushing and treatment of selected body cavities
    • detailed documentation of pathological changes
    • precise localisation of abnormalities and assessment of the extent of disease

    Because endoscopy is minimally invasive, it can sometimes provide diagnostic information and treatment without the need for more extensive surgery.

    Endoscopic Foreign Body Removal for Dogs and Cats

    Dogs and cats may accidentally swallow or inhale foreign objects. Depending on their size, shape and location, some foreign bodies can be removed using an endoscope.

    Endoscopic foreign body removal may be possible for selected objects located in the:

    • esophagus
    • stomach
    • nasal cavity
    • respiratory tract
    • ear canal

    When appropriate, endoscopic removal can help avoid conventional open surgery. However, the safest treatment method always depends on the type and location of the foreign body, how long it has been present, and the patient’s clinical condition.

    How is Veterinary Endoscopy Performed?

    Endoscopic examinations are generally performed under general anesthesia. Before the procedure, our veterinarian evaluates the patient’s health and recommends appropriate pre-anesthetic testing based on the patient’s age, clinical condition, suspected diagnosis, and planned procedure.

    Some types of endoscopy require specific preparation. For example, fasting may be necessary before gastroscopy, while colonoscopy requires appropriate preparation of the gastrointestinal tract.

    Owners receive detailed instructions before the scheduled examination.

    Does my Dog or Cat Need an Endoscopy?

    The decision to recommend an endoscopic examination is based on the patient’s clinical signs, medical history, previous diagnostic results and the suspected underlying condition.

    Depending on the individual case, other diagnostic procedures such as blood tests, ultrasound, X-rays, CT imaging or laboratory testing may be recommended before endoscopy.

    Our goal is to select the diagnostic approach that provides the most useful information while taking the individual needs and safety of each patient into consideration.

    AhojVet – veterinary endoscopy in Bratislava for advanced diagnostics and minimally invasive treatment of selected conditions.

    zajacik