Laparoscopy and Endoscopy

Petworks Veterinary Hospital offers laparoscopic and endoscopic diagnostic and surgical services. We have state-of-the-art laparoscopic instrumentation and training from Karl Storz, the world leaders in veterinary endoscopy and laparoscopy, to be able to provide you with advanced, minimally invasive surgical and diagnostic options for your best friend. The most common application for laparoscopy today is biopsy of the liver, kidney, pancreas, or masses. Other diagnostic applications include evaluation of abdominal trauma, response to therapy, full thickness intestinal biopsies or investigating abnormal radiographic or ultrasound findings. Organs and masses can be biopsied under direct observation and areas of concern or interest can be biopsied accurately. Laparoscopic surgery also includes cryptorchidectomy, gastropexy, hernia repair, cystotomy, ovarioectomy (OV) and ovariohystorectomy (OVH). Our patients show little or no discomfort after such procedures with the minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques.

Gastropexy has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of GDV (gastric dilation and torsion) in large breed dogs and can be performed at the time of spay or neuter. We have been performing preventative gastropexies for large breed dog owners across the Maritimes since 2006. Everyone has been pleased with the results and peace of mind that comes from preventing this life threatening condition in our large breed companions.

Endoscopy uses long flexible fiberoptic scopes to look inside your pet when needed. We mainly use endoscopes to look in the esophagus, stomach, intestines and sometimes the lungs. It is a very safe and non-invasive procedure that allows us to search for abnormalities in those areas and sometimes we can even remove some of the interesting items that our pets like to swallow (socks, coins, cell phones, etc.).

We can even take very tiny biopsies of the stomach and intestinal lining or fluid and cell samples from the lungs to help in the diagnosis of some diseases. If you have any questions regarding laparoscopic/endoscopic procedures and feel your pet may benefit from minimally invasive laparoscopic or endoscopic diagnostic or surgical services please contact Dr Rick Swinemar at Petworks Veterinary Hospital at 435-2444.