Endoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a camera, located inside a long flexible tube, to visualize structures, typically in the upper airway and stomach. The tube is passed up the horse’s nostril and we are able to visualize the inside of the body as the camera passes through the body cavity. We use a 1 meter scope to examine a horse’s upper airway including the larynx, trachea, sinus openings, pharyngeal region, and guttural pouches and we can use a 3 meter scope to examine the horses stomach for ulcers (gastroscopy). We can examine the airway’s function as well as identify sources of infection or disease. Samples can be collected through the endoscope to be submitted to a lab for testing. Reason’s to perform an endoscopic exam are:
- Nasal discharge
- Bloody nose
- Excessive airway noise at work or rest
- Difficulty swallowing
- Abnormal swellings
- Nebulization Therapy
- Dermatology
- Gastroscopy
- Ulcers
