Veterinary Bronchoscopy in Scottsdale, AZ
A bronchoscopy is a minimally invasive examination of your pet’s throat, larynx, trachea, and lower airways. At Salt River Veterinary Specialists, our specialists use a thin, lighted, flexible bronchoscope with a camera to identify polyps, narrowing, airway collapse, inflammation from bronchitis or asthma, and infections such as Valley Fever, with no external incisions.
Why Your Pet May Need a Bronchoscopy
Coughing and breathing problems have many possible causes, and x-rays alone often cannot tell them apart. Bronchoscopy allows our internal medicine specialists to see the airways directly and collect samples. It may be recommended for pets with:
- A chronic cough lasting more than a few weeks
- Noisy or labored breathing
- Suspected tracheal collapse or airway narrowing
- Recurrent pneumonia or abnormal lung patterns on thoracic radiography
- Suspected airway foreign bodies
- Coughing in cats that may indicate feline asthma
Bronchoalveolar Lavage and Sampling
During bronchoscopy, our specialist can perform a bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), gently washing a small amount of sterile fluid into the lower airways and retrieving it for analysis. Samples are evaluated for inflammatory cells, bacteria, fungi, parasites, and abnormal cells, helping us pinpoint the cause of coughing and choose the right treatment.
Recognizing Airway Disease
A healthy airway is round, open, and lined with smooth pink tissue. In pets with airway disease, our specialists may see flattened or collapsing airways, excess mucus or pus, redness and swelling, polyps, or masses. In Arizona, bronchoscopy is also valuable for detecting Valley Fever pneumonia, which can cause enlarged lymph nodes that compress the airways. Samples collected during the procedure can help confirm the diagnosis.
Bronchoscopy for Advanced Procedures
Bronchoscopy is also used to guide advanced treatments, including measuring and placing a tracheal stent to support a collapsing trachea and removing foreign material from the airways. Some pets with upper airway disease may also benefit from evaluation of the nose and throat with rhinoscopy, or from surgical options outlined on our upper airway surgical conditions page.
What to Expect
Bronchoscopy requires general anesthesia, which is typically brief and carefully monitored by our trained team. Most pets go home the same day, though a mild cough for a short time afterward is common. Our specialist will discuss visual findings immediately and contact you when laboratory results return. Learn more about our veterinary services, our endoscopy program, or read what to expect at your visit.
Veterinary Bronchoscopy FAQs
Is bronchoscopy safe for my pet?
Bronchoscopy is minimally invasive and generally very safe. Anesthesia is carefully tailored and monitored, especially in pets with breathing problems.
Will my pet cough after the procedure?
A mild cough for a day or two is common and usually resolves on its own.
Can bronchoscopy diagnose Valley Fever?
Bronchoscopy can reveal changes typical of Valley Fever and allow samples to be collected to help confirm the diagnosis.
What is a bronchoalveolar lavage?
It is a sampling technique in which sterile fluid is washed into the airways and retrieved for laboratory analysis.
Can cats have bronchoscopy?
Yes. Bronchoscopy is commonly used to evaluate cats with chronic coughing and suspected asthma.
How long does bronchoscopy take?
The procedure itself usually takes 20 to 45 minutes, plus time for anesthesia and recovery.
When will I get results?
Visual findings are discussed the same day, and laboratory results typically return within several days.
Find the Cause of Your Pet’s Cough
Call Salt River Veterinary Specialists at (480) 819-8630 or request an appointment online to discuss bronchoscopy for your pet.