Technician holding kitten

Pet Endoscopy

When your pet has a health problem that bloodwork or radiology can’t fully address, endoscopy lets our veterinarians take a closer look. An endoscope is a thin, flexible or rigid tube with a tiny camera and light on the end. Guided through the mouth, nose, or another natural opening, it shows us the inside of your pet’s digestive or respiratory tract in real time, usually without a single incision.

Pet endoscopy also allows us to collect small tissue samples for biopsy and, in many cases, retrieve swallowed objects without abdominal surgery. That means less discomfort and a faster recovery for your dog or cat.

Your veterinarian may recommend endoscopy for:

  • Chronic vomiting or regurgitation
  • Persistent diarrhea or unexplained weight loss
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • A swallowed foreign object
  • Chronic coughing
  • Ongoing nasal discharge or sneezing

What to Expect

We perform endoscopy under general anesthesia so your pet stays still, comfortable, and safe. Beforehand, we’ll review your pet’s medical history, run any recommended pre-anesthetic bloodwork, and let you know if your pet needs to fast. Most pets go home the same day. Once your pet is awake, your veterinarian will walk you through what we found and the next steps in their care. If biopsies were taken, we’ll call you as soon as the results are in.

To find out whether endoscopy is right for your pet, call us at (302) 736-3000 or book an appointment online.

For Referring Veterinarians

Forrest Avenue Animal Hospital welcomes endoscopy referrals from veterinarians in Dover and the surrounding area. To refer a patient, please call us at (302) 736-3000 to discuss the case and next steps. We’ll then ask you to email the patient’s medical history and any recent lab work or imaging to forrestvet@forrestaveanimal.com.

Our team will reach out to your client to schedule the procedure, keep you updated along the way, and send a full report of our findings back to you. After the procedure, your patient returns to your care for ongoing treatment.