Fibreoptic Endoscopy

We are proud to be one of the few clinics who have fibre-optic endoscopy units at our disposal. 

There are 4 units of various sizes which we have at LVC.

Fibreoptic cameras at the end of long endoscopy tubes are essential for the following purposes:

• Retrieving foreign bodies from the lungs/airways
• Retrieving foreign bodies from the oesophagus
• Retrieving foreign bodies from the stomach without full surgery
• Biopsy of the stomach of the duodenum or colon with risky invasive enterotomy surgery
• Investigation, including bacteriology studies, of lungs/airways

Fish hooks which have become stuck in the oesophagus present a uniquely difficult problem from veterinary surgeons. Full thoracotomy surgery to remove these is dangerous to the point of being unrealistic. With fibreoptic endoscopy we can go in with our flexible camera and use retrieval forceps to grasp the hook, manoeuvre it and pull it out (often with the fishing line).

Tracheoscopy and bronchoscopy is the only way to retrieve foreign bodies, such as grass seeds in the lungs. We use out units extensively for this unique problem.

We also use our endoscopes to assess bronchial function and laryngeal function prior to airway surgery.

With horses our units can assess laryngeal function, especially laryngeal paralysis and look for upper respiratory foreign bodies or growths and problems within the guttural pouch.