At WTVS, our internal medicine specialists perform gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy, a minimally invasive procedure that allows us to look inside your pet’s stomach and intestines using a small, flexible camera. This advanced diagnostic tool helps identify and sometimes treat conditions affecting the digestive tract—without the need for traditional surgery.
What to Expect:
GI endoscopy is performed under general anesthesia to ensure your pet’s comfort and safety. The endoscope is carefully passed through the mouth into the esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine, or through the rectum to examine the colon and lower digestive tract. The camera provides a detailed, real-time view of the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. When needed, our specialist can collect biopsy samples, remove foreign material, or evaluate abnormalities such as ulcers, inflammation, or growths.
Why It’s Important:
Gastrointestinal endoscopy is a powerful diagnostic tool for pets with chronic vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, poor appetite, or suspected foreign body ingestion. It allows for precise evaluation and tissue sampling while minimizing discomfort and recovery time. Because the procedure is non-surgical, most pets go home the same day and resume
normal activity soon after.
Referral Procedure:
This procedure requires specialized equipment, advanced training, and anesthesia support, so it is typically performed by a board-certified internal medicine specialist. General practice veterinarians refer pets to our specialist for GI endoscopy when a deeper evaluation of the digestive tract is needed, such as for:
- Chronic vomiting or diarrhea
- Unexplained weight loss or poor appetite
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Suspected foreign body or obstruction
- Abnormal imaging findings
- Biopsy collection for inflammatory or cancerous conditions
After the Procedure:
Most pets recover quickly from anesthesia and can return home the same day. Our specialist will review the findings, biopsy results, and next steps with you and coordinate care with your primary veterinarian to create a tailored treatment plan