The application of endoscopes can reduce animal suffering and surgical risks, and improve animal welfare. How much do you know about endoscopes? What is the endoscope used for? If you have many doubts in your mind, the following will introduce them to you.
Endoscope
An endoscope is a long, flexible tube featuring a miniature camera at its tip. The tube contains a channel that permits the passage of various instruments, such as forceps, biopsy tools, and snare, which can be inserted through natural body passages or small incisions made surgically.
During use, the endoscope is inserted to evaluate, diagnose, and treat a wide range of gastrointestinal and respiratory system disorders non-invasively. It enables direct visualization of the affected area, allowing for procedures like sample collection, irrigation, removal of foreign objects or polyps, and other interventions. This minimally invasive approach significantly reduces discomfort and accelerates recovery for the patient.
The characteristics of an endoscope
Reduce endoscopy time and capture images quickly.
It has video and storage functions, which can store images of diseased parts for easy viewing and continuous comparison and observation.
The color is lifelike, the resolution is high, and the image is clear. The image has been specially processed to enlarge the image for easy observation.
The screen displays images, allowing one person to operate and multiple people to watch at the same time, which facilitates disease consultation, diagnosis, and teaching.
Endoscopic applications
In veterinary clinical practice, upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy is one of the most prevalent applications.
When conventional blood tests, urine tests, X-rays, and ultrasound fail to determine the root cause of an issue, endoscopy becomes a crucial diagnostic tool.
By examining the inner linings of the stomach and intestines, as well as the respiratory tract, endoscopy aids in pinpointing the source of problems more effectively.
It serves to identify any suspicious or abnormal areas within the stomach, small intestine, colon, or respiratory system. In cases where necessary, endoscopy facilitates the collection of biopsy samples for further analysis by the veterinarian.
• Gastrointestinal tract: Esophagus, stomach, duodenum.
• Respiratory system: Nasal cavity (front and back), pharyngonasal passages, trachea, bronchi.
• Ear canal: Vertical ear canal, horizontal ear canal, tympanic membrane (eardrum).
• Urinary tract in larger animals: Catheterization for examination.
• Abdomen: Exploration, sampling, and procedures such as sterilization or surgery.
Its indications include endoscopic removal of foreign bodies, unexplained reflux, dysphagia, salivation, nausea, vomiting, hematemesis, melena, loss of appetite, diarrhea, weight loss, blood in the stool, mucus in the stool, etc.
Endoscopic painless examination and treatment
Endoscopic examinations are performed under general anesthesia, ensuring that pets remain pain-free during the procedure. As it does not involve any incisions, there is no post-procedural discomfort for the animal.
Endoscopy represents a painless technique that enables animals to undergo a complete examination and treatment in an anesthetic state, typically lasting only 20-30 minutes. Following the procedure, they usually recover within 5-10 minutes, allowing them to resume normal activities relatively quickly.
Endoscopy boasts four key advantages: minimally invasive, low bleeding, low pain, and accelerated recovery.
Advanced equipment and technological innovations contribute significantly to improved animal welfare, allowing precise and non-invasive inspections that minimize trauma. Small procedures through endoscopy address significant issues, demonstrating its effectiveness in managing animal health.
Popular science cases
Fish bones, bones, seeds, and other foreign objects can easily get lodged in our throats when we consume them, leading to complications.
These foreign bodies can cause infections, erode surrounding tissues, and potentially lead to serious complications, such as blocking blood vessels, posing a severe threat that should never be underestimated.
Case Study 1:
A beloved husky, who mistakenly swallowed a sharp chicken bone, experienced vomiting and gastroenteritis. After a radiographic confirmation, an endoscope was employed to retrieve the bone from its stomach. The procedure was carried out without causing any damage or incisions, allowing the pet to recover at home. By the following day, the dog had regained its energy and appetite.
Case Study 2:
A cat with a persistent, chronic vomiting issue that did not respond to initial treatment underwent an endoscopic examination. The examination revealed an inflamed and swollen cardia (the opening to the stomach) and extensive ulcers at the pyloric sphincter (the entrance to the small intestine).
After a diagnosis via endoscopy, the cat received three weeks of intensive internal medicine treatment, which led to a complete resolution and improvement of the vomiting symptoms.
