Veterinary Endoscopy: Using The Right Throat Endoscope In A Laryngoscopy

A veterinary endoscopy procedure is one of the fairly common diagnostic methods for pets – dogs, cats, even larger animals. One such variant is a veterinary laryngoscopy, done using an animal-friendly throat endoscope.

Laryngoscopy in veterinary applications scans the laryngeal tissue for any infections, foreign objects, or to simply sample tissue – similar to that in humans. For an animal laryngoscopy, specialized veterinary endoscopy equipment like a throat endoscope (or laryngoscope) is inserted through the mouth into the pharynx to allow a view of the larynx.

Using supporting,  high-definition imaging and video tools, the laryngoscope displays the insides of the pharynx and larynx in real-time. This helps veterinary professionals extract samples with accuracy and view upper respiratory tissue conditions for a more accurate diagnosis.

A laryngoscopy can be easily ordered at your local vet clinics. Aside from throat endoscopy, you can also get an otoscopy (ear exams), rhinoscopy (nasal passage exams), and those for foreign body retrieval to supplement your laryngoscopy for diagnosis.

The average, current cost of a veterinary laryngoscopy can fall anywhere between US$500 – US$ 1,200, depending on what your furry friend needs. This can also be influenced by the level of experience your veterinary expert has.

Often, house pets catch respiratory diseases from their human owners – some of which can get out of hand. Opt for a laryngoscopy for your dog or cat if you notice :

· Chronic, persistent cough lasting over 2-3 weeks

· Wheezing, noisy breathing, and voice change

· A possible foreign object in their airway

· Trouble swallowing food or drink

For pets like horses, cattle, and larger birds, a laryngoscopy can help with a proper diagnosis when you see symptoms like :

· Noisy inhalation, inability to swallow (dysphagia), or salivation in cattle.

· Horses displaying poor athletic performance, fatigue, and noisy breathing.

· Signs of respiratory distress – open-mouth breathing or tail-bobbing – or chronic cough/sneezing in larger birds.

Alt : Veterinary professional administers a laryngoscopy on an animal patient using a throat endoscope or laryngoscope.

Considering laryngoscopy in veterinary applications can range widely depending on the examined species, here are the general steps of how a vet would carry out a simple laryngoscopy on your furry friends :

1. The animal patient will be made to fast for 6-12 hours before the laryngoscopy – to reduce the risk of food and bile regurgitation during the exam.

2. A vet does a pre-screening and a full physical exam, including bloodwork and imaging where needed. This is to ensure your pet is fit for the procedure and sedation with anesthesia.

3. Anesthesia will be administered according to the size of the animal – larger animals usually require restraints as well.

4. Animal patients are placed in a suitable position for the procedure, in restraints (if needed).

5. The throat endoscope, or laryngoscope, is slowly inserted through the mouth opening.

6. The vet proceeds to examine the pharynx and laryngeal tissue to identify inflammation, bleeding, tumors, mucus buildup, or foreign bodies.

7. Depending on the issue, sampling or treatment will be administered.

8. The throat endoscope is then slowly removed, and the animal patient will be continuously monitored for complications, bleeds, or oxygen level drops.

While this is an overall process of how a veterinary laryngoscopy is done in animals, there may be more or fewer steps depending on the specific anatomy of a species.

A throat endoscope, or laryngoscope, is an advanced veterinary endoscopy tool designed for examining the upper respiratory tract. Unlike traditional rigid mechanical laryngoscopes, modern flexible endoscopes feature a slender, flexible insertion tube equipped with a high-resolution camera and light source. This allows for precise, real-time visualization of the throat and larynx, significantly enhancing diagnostic accuracy and patient comfort.

Flexible throat endoscopes are versatile, accommodating animals of various sizes. Smaller animals benefit from thinner tubes, while larger animals require more robust designs to navigate their anatomy. With adjustable angles and bright illumination, veterinarians can clearly observe subtle abnormalities such as inflammation, masses, or foreign bodies, providing critical insights for diagnosis and treatment.

Depending on their function and surgical uses, a throat endoscope for animals falls into one of the 6 main umbrellas :

· Flexible Laryngoscopes: Suitable for small birds or animals with complex airway anatomy. Typically, they have lengths of 10–30 cm and diameters ranging from 1.6–4.5 mm.

· Portable Laryngoscopes: Used for larger animals such as horses and cattle. They commonly have lengths of 60–100 cm and diameters ranging from 2.8–8 mm.

· Video Laryngoscopes: Often used for complex, delicate surgical procedures to enhance accuracy and precision.

· Disposable laryngoscopes – Commonly used in emergencies and surgeries to prevent cross-contamination between animals/species.

· Combination laryngoscopes – These, like the  Reescope ENT Endoscope, offer the ability to inspect areas other than the throat – namely the ear passage and nasal cavity.

To pinpoint the best throat endoscope to be used in your procedure, you’ll need to first define the goal of the procedure – examination, sampling, retrieval, or intubation. Once you have that, assess your patient size. The table below is a general size guide for a laryngoscope in vet medicine applications :

Laryngoscopes, or throat endoscopes, are a valuable veterinary medicine tool that allow accurate diagnosis of your pet’s condition. When dealing with different species, you may need varying endoscope types and sizes, like the ones we have at Reescope. Speak to our representatives today  for a quote.