Veterinary Endoscopy in Scottsdale, AZ
Endoscopy is a minimally invasive examination of your pet’s esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine. At Salt River Veterinary Specialists, our specialists use a lighted, flexible endoscope with a camera to find ulcers, inflammation, polyps, tumors, and foreign objects and to collect biopsies, all without a single external incision.
Why Your Pet May Need an Endoscopy
Endoscopy gives our internal medicine specialists a direct look at the lining of the upper digestive tract, revealing problems that may not appear on x-rays or ultrasound. It is commonly recommended for pets with:
- Chronic or intermittent vomiting
- Chronic diarrhea, weight loss, or poor appetite
- Vomiting blood or black, tarry stools
- Regurgitation or difficulty swallowing, which may indicate megaesophagus or an esophageal stricture
- A suspected swallowed object requiring foreign object removal
- Abnormal intestinal findings on imaging
What a Healthy Digestive Tract Looks Like
A normal stomach and small intestine have a smooth, pink lining with no ulcers, masses, or bleeding. Comparing your pet’s images to healthy tissue helps our specialists recognize subtle changes, such as mild redness, swelling, or an irregular texture, that can signal early disease. We capture images during every procedure so we can review them with you and share them with your family veterinarian.
Identifying Abnormal Tissue
When disease is present, the lining may appear red, swollen, ulcerated, thickened, or bumpy. These changes are seen with conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, gastric ulcers, infections, and tumors. Because many of these conditions look similar to the eye, our specialists collect several small biopsies through the endoscope for laboratory analysis, which provides a definitive diagnosis.
Biopsies Without Surgery
Endoscopic biopsies are collected with tiny forceps passed through the scope. The process is painless for your pet under anesthesia and avoids the incisions and recovery time of surgical biopsies. Results typically return within several days, and our specialist will contact you to discuss them and recommend treatment. When disease lies beyond the reach of the endoscope, our surgical team may recommend laparoscopic biopsies.
What to Expect on Procedure Day
Your pet will need to fast before the procedure, and our team will give you specific instructions. Endoscopy requires general anesthesia, which is usually brief and carefully monitored. Because no incisions are made, most pets go home the same day and return to normal eating within a day or so. Many pets having an endoscopy also benefit from a colonoscopy during the same anesthesia to evaluate the large intestine.
Advanced Endoscopy Expertise
Salt River Veterinary Specialists is known for interventional endoscopy and offers a full range of scope-based procedures, including bronchoscopy, rhinoscopy, and cystoscopy. Learn more about our full list of veterinary services or review what to expect at your first visit.
Veterinary Endoscopy FAQs
Is endoscopy painful for my pet?
No. Your pet is under general anesthesia during the procedure, and because there are no incisions, discomfort afterward is minimal.
How long does an endoscopy take?
Most procedures take 30 to 60 minutes, though anesthesia preparation and recovery add additional time.
Does my pet need to fast before endoscopy?
Yes. An empty stomach allows a clear view and reduces anesthetic risk. Our team will provide instructions.
Can endoscopy remove swallowed objects?
Yes. Many objects lodged in the esophagus or stomach can be retrieved endoscopically without surgery.
When will I get biopsy results?
Biopsy results usually return within several days, and our specialist will review them with you.
Can my pet go home the same day?
Most pets go home the same day once they have recovered from anesthesia.
What is the difference between endoscopy and colonoscopy?
Endoscopy examines the esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine, while colonoscopy examines the rectum and colon.
Schedule a Veterinary Endoscopy Consultation
Call Salt River Veterinary Specialists at (480) 819-8630 or request an appointment online to discuss endoscopy for your pet.