BRONCHOSCOPY AND TRACHEOSCOPY

Bronchoscopy is the endoscopic evaluation of the primary airways in the lungs and tracheoscopy is the endoscopic study of the trachea. In most cases a small, short flexible scope is used to perform the study. Samples for culture and analysis can be obtained through the bronchoscope using either a fluid lavage technique (the flushing and retrieval of sterile fluid) or a sterile brush. Foreign matter can be identified and often removed. Samples of airway growths can be obtained with biopsy instruments. In larger dogs, the scope can be passed down the throat without disruption of anesthesia or oxygen. Bronchoscopy requires little patient preparation outside of withholding food the morning of the scheduled procedure. Most patients are discharged the same day that the procedure is performed.

The major symptoms and reasons to perform a bronchoscopy/tracheoscopy are:

  • Persistent coughing
  • Study and removal of foreign matter in the trachea and lungs
  • To obtain biopsies from the trachea or major airways
  • To aid in the diagnosis of a collapsed trachea or lung
  • To obtain samples for testing and sensitivity when pneumonia is suspected
  • To determine the location of a tear in the trachea
See our departments

Internal Medicine

The Internal Medicine Service has the expertise and specialized technology to diagnose and treat your pet while providing you with compassionate care and the best client service possible.

What Is A Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialist?

A board-certified veterinary internal medicine specialist is a licensed veterinarian who has completed an internship, 3 year residency program, passed board examination and met the credentials to become a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. An internal medicine specialist has advanced training in the following disciplines:

  • Endocrinology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Hepatology
  • Pancreatology
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Disease
  • Nephrology and Urology
  • Respiratory Disease

Specialists perform a variety of state-of-the-art minimally-invasive procedures, including gastrointestinal endoscopy, rhinoscopy, bronchoscopy and bladder stone removal. Additional special procedures include radioactive iodine therapy, laser lithotripsy, ectopic ureter correction and feeding tube placement (see descriptions below).

Why Does My Pet Need A Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialist?

Just as your own primary care physician may feel the need to refer you to the care of a specialist, your general practitioner veterinarian may feel that your pet needs a specialist with more intensive training to help diagnose or treat a particularly complicated problem. Veterinary Specialists work in concert with primary care physicians to ensure the very best outcome for your pet.

What Health Problems Does A Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialist Treat?

Board-certified internal medicine specialists are trained to treat some of the most complicated diseases and health problems that affect pets. Thanks to better health care, more and more pets are living longer lives. As a result, an increasing number of older pets are coping with multiple concurrent disease states that can be very difficult to manage. For example, a cat with diabetes may also be suffering from kidney failure, or a dog in heart failure may also be diagnosed with cancer. Internal medicine specialists are uniquely prepared to oversee the care of these complicated cases.

Common diseases that frequently lead primary care veterinarians and concerned pet owners to seek the expertise of a specialist include:

  • Infectious Disease
  • Endocrine Disorders
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases
  • Diabetes Mellitus
  • Immune Related Disorders
  • Kidney Dysfunction

 

Our Internal Medicine Services

Arthrocentesis
Bronchoalveolar lavage BAL
Bronchoscopy
Colonoscopy

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