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Canine Endoscopy: What It Is, How It Works, and When It’s Used
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In case your dog has been experiencing chronic symptoms - as vomiting, loss of weight, or problems to breathe - and regular tests have been unable to offer a diagnosis, your vet might suggest a canine endoscopy.
Don’t worry, it does not sound as frightening as it appears.
It is a simple, non-invasive procedure enabling the vets to view the inside of your dogs body using a flexible camera during which no surgery is sometimes required.
This assists in identifying some problems that cannot be identified in physical tests or even undertaking X-rays.
What Is Canine Endoscopy?
Before we get into the details, let’s talk about what canine endoscopy actually is.
An endoscopy is a procedure where a vet uses a long, flexible tube with a tiny camera and light at the tip - called an endoscope - to look inside your dog’s body.
The scope is inserted through natural openings like the mouth, nose, or rectum, depending on the area being examined.
Sometimes, a small incision is made if access to internal organs is needed.
The live video feed from the camera shows the vet what’s happening inside, in real time, without having to perform invasive surgery.
This allows them to identify inflammation, foreign objects, ulcers, tumors, or other abnormalities with much more accuracy.
It’s commonly used in dogs who have chronic symptoms that aren’t explained by bloodwork or X-rays alone.
A 90% success rate for retrieving foreign objects like bones or toys shows just how effective endoscopy can be in non-surgical emergency care.
How Endoscopy Compares to Traditional Methods
Feature | Canine Endoscopy | Exploratory Surgery | X-Rays/Ultrasound |
Invasiveness | Non-invasive or minimally invasive | Invasive (requires incisions) | Non-invasive |
Use of Anesthesia | Light to moderate (based on case) | General anesthesia required | Usually none |
Image Clarity | Real-time, close-up visuals | Direct view (but requires surgery) | Good, but limited for soft tissue |
Tool Use (Biopsy/Object Removal) | Yes - tools can be used through the scope | Yes - manual during surgery | No - diagnostic only |
Recovery Time | Same-day recovery for most dogs | Several days to weeks | No recovery needed |
Cost Range | Moderate | High | Low to moderate |
When Is Endoscopy Used in Dogs?
Endoscopy isn’t something vets recommend casually.
It’s usually brought up when your dog is showing ongoing symptoms that aren’t improving or when other tests, such as bloodwork, X-rays, or ultrasounds, aren’t providing enough information.
Let’s go through some of the most common reasons your vet might suggest an endoscopic exam.
Chronic Vomiting or Diarrhea
If your dog has been throwing up frequently or having ongoing digestive upset, your vet may want to look directly at the stomach lining and intestines.
Endoscopy can show irritation, ulcers, or inflammatory bowel disease that wouldn’t show up on scans.
It’s also a way to check for growths or foreign material that might be stuck in the upper GI tract.
And in many cases, biopsies can be taken during the procedure, helping the vet confirm a diagnosis without surgery.
🟢 If your dog has had symptoms for more than a few weeks, and treatments like diet changes or medication haven’t helped, this is often the next step.
Unexplained Weight Loss
Sudden or ongoing weight loss - when your dog is eating normally, can be a red flag for something deeper.
Your vet may use endoscopy to examine the esophagus, stomach, or small intestine for signs of malabsorption, ulcers, or even tumors that might be interfering with nutrient absorption.
In these cases, seeing the actual lining of the digestive tract helps guide treatment much more effectively than trial and error.
Coughing, Wheezing, or Breathing Trouble
If your dog has had a persistent cough, noisy breathing, or wheezing that won’t go away, a bronchoscopy may be recommended.
This is a type of endoscopy that goes through the windpipe and into the lungs, allowing the vet to examine the airways up close.
They can check for things like airway collapse, infection, inflammation, or even small growths that could be affecting your dog’s ability to breathe comfortably.
It’s especially useful when chest X-rays show a shadow but don’t explain what’s causing it.
Suspected Foreign Object
Dogs are curious by nature, and that means things like socks, bones, or even chunks of toys can sometimes get swallowed.
If your vet suspects something is stuck in your dog’s esophagus or stomach, an endoscope can be used not only to spot the object but often to remove it as well, without surgery.
This makes endoscopy a safer, faster, and less painful option compared to opening the abdomen to retrieve the item.
🟢 This is one of the most common emergency uses of endoscopy in dogs, especially for young or high-energy breeds.
Chronic Nasal Discharge or Sneezing
If your dog has had ongoing nasal discharge, noisy breathing through the nose, or occasional nosebleeds, a rhinoscopy might be needed.
This involves using an endoscope to look inside the nasal passages and sinuses, where vets can check for polyps, infection, fungal growths, or foreign bodies like plant material.
These areas are extremely hard to assess otherwise, even with imaging.
For dogs who snore suddenly or seem to struggle with airflow through the nose, this can provide the answers you’ve been missing.
🔴 Not sure if endoscopy is right for your dog?
Talk to your vet about the symptoms you’re seeing and ask if canine endoscopy might help provide clearer answers.
How the Canine Endoscopy Procedure Works
We understand - when your dog gets told that she needs scope in her body, it might sound rather disturbing.
The thing is, though, that dog endoscopy is as ordinary, low-risk procedure which every day is done in clinics.
It is fast, accurate and much less disturbing compared to conventional surgery.
Step 1: Pre-Procedure Prep
Before the procedure your vet will give you instructions, usually to withhold food for 8 to 12 hours so the digestive system is empty.
This gives the vet a clear view inside. If the lower intestines are being examined, your dog will also receive an enema to clean the area.
Basic bloodwork is done beforehand to make sure your pup is healthy enough for anesthesia.
If your dog takes medication, your vet will let you know how to adjust the schedule that day.
Step 2: Sedation and Monitoring
To keep your dog completely still and stress-free the procedure is done under general anesthesia.
Vets use safe, modern sedation tailored to your dog’s size, breed and medical history.
Your dog is monitored throughout the entire procedure - heart rate, oxygen levels and breathing are tracked in real time using special equipment.
Step 3: Endoscope Insertion
When your dog is still, the vet begins an examination using a long and rigid endoscope comprising of a small camera and a source of light.
- The scope is filled based on which area one is investigating:
- By mouth into the esophagus, stomach or air ways (gastroscopy or bronchoscopy)
- To look at the sinuses and nasal passages (rhinoscopy) via the nose
- Colon and lower GI (colonoscopy) through the rectum
- With the BOPE, very rarely, through a small incision, to reach the abdominal cavity (surgical endoscopy)
The camera presents an actual time video on monitor screen to enable the vet to view the surfaces of the tissues closely and detect or identify swelling, ulcer, inflammation or foreign bodies.
If needed, the vet can use small instruments passed through the scope to:
- Take biopsies
- Remove stuck objects
- Flush or clean areas
And since there are no big cuts, it’s all done with minimal disruption to your dog’s body.
Step 4: Recovery
Once the exam is done, your dog is moved to a quiet recovery area and gently woken up.
Most dogs are awake in a couple of hours and many are back to normal the same day.
If samples were taken or anything was removed, your vet will walk you through what’s next - whether that’s sending biopsies to the lab, starting meds or scheduling a follow up.
🟢 Good to know: You’ll receive clear post-procedure instructions, but most dogs don’t need any special aftercare other than rest, water, and extra cuddles.
Is Canine Endoscopy Safe?
Yes, it’s considered very safe, especially when compared to more invasive options like exploratory surgery.
Of course, any procedure involving anesthesia carries some risk, but modern veterinary anesthesia is well-controlled and highly individualized.
The biggest advantages of endoscopy are:
- No large incisions
- Faster recovery
- Less pain and discomfort
- Reduced risk of complications
- Real-time diagnosis without guesswork
Biopsies taken via endoscope are also safer than surgical biopsies, as there’s minimal disruption to the tissue.
🟢 Tip: Always follow your vet’s pre- and post-procedure instructions carefully to help your dog recover quickly and comfortably.
What to Expect After the Procedure
Your dog may be a bit groggy or tired for a few hours after the exam - that’s totally normal.
Once the anesthesia wears off, most dogs bounce back pretty quickly, wagging their tail and asking for dinner by evening.
If biopsies were taken or a foreign object was removed, your vet will probably prescribe antibiotics, pain relief or a special diet to support healing.
You’ll also get instructions on how to monitor your dog at home and when to expect lab results if tissue samples were collected.
🔍 For example, if your dog had a piece of rawhide stuck in their stomach that was removed during the procedure, they may need a bland diet for a few days to let the lining settle, and your vet will show you exactly what to look for.
Always call your vet if anything seems off after the procedure, like vomiting, lethargy, not eating or swelling at the scope entry point. Better safe than sorry.
Final Thoughts
Canine endoscopy may sound high tech but it’s actually one of the most gentle and accurate ways vets can figure out what’s going on inside your dog.
It reduces unnecessary procedures, shortens recovery time and gives clearer answers when symptoms are persistent but unclear.
Want to dig deeper?
Check out our page or ask your vet for step-by-step materials explaining how canine endoscopy works and when it’s recommended.
Knowing what to expect can make a big difference in your dog’s care journey.
❓Frequently Asked Questions❓
What is an endoscopy for a dog?
A procedure where a vet uses a tiny camera on a flexible tube to look inside your dog’s body - usually the stomach, nose or lungs - without surgery.
How much does a dog endoscopy cost?
$50 - $100 depending on the clinic, location and if biopsies or object removal are involved.
What are the side effects of endoscopy in dogs?
Most dogs bounce back quickly. Some may be tired for a few hours or have a mild sore throat or soft stool, but serious side effects are rare.
What is better than endoscopy?
It depends on the case. For surface level issues X-rays or ultrasounds might be enough. But when it comes to seeing soft tissues up close endoscopy is often the best.
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