Ultrasonography
Ultrasonography is a non-invasive procedure that uses high frequency sound waves to examine soft tissue and internal organs. It is a safe and painless procedure. Ultrasounds can also be used to guide needle placements for biopsies, aspirates, drain cysts, and collect fluid samples in the abdomen or chest.
The skin must be clipped free of hair and a liquid gel is applied to the skin to help transmit sound. The animal is placed on their back or side during the ultrasound. A hand held device called a transducer is placed on the area being examined, which converts the signals into images. The procedure takes 30-60 minutes to complete.
Sedation or anesthesia may be required if aspirates or biopsies are needed, or if the animal is uncooperative to handle.
Echocardiography
Echocardiography is a non-invasive examination of the heart using ultrasound technology. This technique uses sound waves to visualize the heart in action. It is possible to assess the function of the heart, how the valves work, and detect areas of abnormalities, or defects, at a depth that isn’t possible with xrays. Echocardiography records measurements of cardiac structures so that heart size and function can be assessed. Color Doppler imaging lets us evaluate blood flow through the chambers and vessels. This is important for evaluating congenital heart disease, and other heart problems.
Echocardiography is a procedure that generally takes 30-60 minutes. Hair in the chest area, and behind the right front leg will be clipped free of hair. On a special designed cardiac table, the animal is placed on their right side, so the chest surface over the heart is exposed to the examiner. Sedation may be required in cats, puppies, large dogs or uncooperative pets to aid in the diagnostic procedure.
GI Endoscopy
GI Endoscopy is a safe, minimally invasive, non-surgical procedure we use to examine your pets digestive tract. Your pet is placed under general anesthesia and using an endoscope, a flexible tube with a light and camera attached to it, we can view the stomach, intestines, and colon. We will be able to see any lesions, take samples of the lining of the digestive tract and even remove some foreign bodies.
Depending on your pet’s symptoms, the doctor may recommend an endoscopy or colonoscopy. If an endoscopy is recommended, an endoscope would be guided down the throat, into the stomach and continue in to the upper portion of the small intestines. If a colonoscopy is the doctor’s recommendation, the endoscope is passed into the large intestine (colon) through the rectum to examine this area of the intestine. With both procedures, biopsies are obtained of the areas, and then sent to a pathologist for evaluation.
Endoscopic procedures are painless and are usually only associated with mild discomfort. Depending on how your pet does during anesthesia or how late in the day the procedure occurs, your pet may need to stay in the hospital overnight. Typically, we receive biopsy results within 3-5 days. At that time, we will discuss the diagnosis and treatment options. Complications are rare but may include perforation of the stomach or intestine with the endoscope or biopsy instrument. If this occurs, surgery is required to repair the defect.
Bronchoscopy
Bronchoscopy allows the doctor to examine the inside of your pets’ airway for any abnormality such as foreign bodies, bleeding, a tumor, or inflammation. Bronchoscopy is a safe, minimally invasive, non-surgical procedure done under general anesthesia in which a tube with a tiny camera on the end is inserted through the mouth into the lungs. The procedure provides a view of the airways, the lungs, and allows doctors to collect lung secretions or tissue specimens.
A saline solution is introduced to flush the area and collect cells to be analyzed by a pathologist. This part of the procedure is called a "lavage". Bronchoalveolar lavage is performed to obtain a sample of the cells, fluids, and other materials present in the very small alveoli (air sacs). In addition, tiny brushes, needles, or forceps may be introduced through the bronchoscope to obtain tissue samples from the lungs. Typically, we receive cytology/biopsy results within 3-5 days. At that time, we will discuss the diagnosis and treatment options.
Rhinoscopy
Rhinoscopy may be indicated in dogs and cats with chronic nasal discharge, nasal obstruction, chronic sneezing, nasal bleeding, facial distortion, nasal pain, or acute severe sneezing. Rhinoscopy is the exploration of the nasal passages, and the back of the throat with a very small endoscope. Using this instrument allows the doctor to explore the entire nasal passage of all dogs and most cats. The nasal cavity contains multiple small passages where infection and tumors can be found.
Rhinoscopy is not only the best way to look into the nasal passage; it is basically the only way. Through rhinoscopy, the doctor can take accurate biopsies, remove foreign objects, control bleeding from ruptured vessels, and perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
Due to some mild discomfort and the increased likelihood that your pet will experience nasal bleeding, we keep all patients who have had a rhinoscopy over night. During the night your pet will be given pain medication to relieve any discomfort. The next day your pet will be able to go home. However, additional nasal bleeding may occur so we recommend that you keep you pet in a location where clean-up will be easy.
Laparoscopy
Step 1: The abdomen is filled with gas.
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Step 2: The doctor manipulates and visualizes the various organs.
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Step 3: Biopsies are collected and submitted to a pathologist for evaluation.
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Laparoscopy is a procedure by which the organs in the abdomen can be visualized without surgery. Laparoscopy is performed under general anesthesia in which two small incisions are made in the abdomen. In one of the incisions we insert a small needle which allows the abdomen to be filled with an inert gas. This is done to create a larger space to visualize and manipulate the organs. Once the abdomen is filled with gas, the needle is removed and a thin tube called a laparoscope is inserted. The laparoscope has a lens that acts like a telescope to magnify body structures, and a powerful light to illuminate the organs along with a camera which sends images back to a TV monitor and computer. Through the other incision a port called a trocar is inserted. Through the trocar a probe can be inserted, this is used to help the doctor to manipulate and visualize the various organs in the abdomen such as the liver, spleen, kidneys, and the gall bladder. Once the doctor has thoroughly examined the organs, the probe is removed and a biopsy instrument is inserted into the port. Biopsies are then collected and submitted to a pathologist for evaluation. Once the biopsies are obtained, the instruments are removed from the abdomen, and the incisions are sutured. Complications from this procedure are rare but bleeding from the incision sites may occur. The patients are treated with pain medication for any post-procedure discomfort, and depending on when the procedure was done, your pet may go home the same day.
