When pets swallow things they shouldn’t, you can get very worried very fast. A missing toy, chewed sock or piece of ribbon that was there just a moment ago can be a real cause for concern.
In the past, this almost always meant abdominal surgery. Today, modern veterinary endoscopy can save your pet from surgery in many cases. Removing objects through the mouth can be far less traumatic for both you and your pet, and a smoother recovery.
This is how endoscopy works for both cats and dogs.
Dog intestinal blockage risks and how endoscopy helps.
Blockages in dogs usually start with something small and seemingly harmless, like a torn toy, bone fragment, fabric or even rocks. However, these items can lodge in their intestines, stopping food from being able to move, causing vomiting, pain and dehydration. If ignored, it can also potentially lead to intestinal ruptures.
With an endoscopy, vets can visually locate the blockage through a tiny internal camera and even remove the object if it’s within reach. When this is done early, it can be all your dog needs, sparing them from surgery and lengthy recovery.
Why cat intestinal blockages develop and why hours matter.
Cats are similar to dogs. If they swallow something they shouldn’t, it can block their intestines from food and gas moving forward, showing up as vomiting, lethargy, hiding, belly pain and a sudden change in appetite. This can build up pressure until the bowel tissue begins to die if not handled quickly.
An endoscopy for cats helps the vet see what is stuck, and even help them remove the object without surgery. However, if surgery is needed, the endoscope approach still helps guide them for a more targeted, safer approach.
What to do if your dog swallowed toy material.
Rope threads, rubber chunks and squeakers in toys unfortunately rarely pass naturally if your dog swallows them. It’s important if your dog has swallowed toy pieces that you don’t wait for symptoms to get worse. The longer the object stays inside, the further it travels and the harder it is to remove.
Endoscopies allow the vet to see exactly where the toy is sitting, assess its size and safely retrieve it in many cases. Dogs typically recover quickly and return home the same day.
Help, my cat ate string! What to do ASAP.
Unlike toys, string behaves dangerously inside a cat’s gut. It can hook under the tongue while the rest threads through the intestines, tightening like a drawstring with each bowel contraction. If your cat ate string, including thread, tinsel, sewing cotton or ribbon, time matters.
Get your cat to a cat as soon as possible. With an endoscopy, the vet may be able to pull the material out cleanly, if treated early. Waiting increases the risk of perforation.
Why pet endoscopy is a minimally invasive alternative to surgery.
A pet endoscopy uses a slim camera that passes through the mouth under anaesthesia. The vet can see the stomach, oesophagus and part of the small intestine in real time. If a foreign object is visible, they can often retrieve it immediately with:
- Less pain.
- Shorter downtime.
- Lower infection risk.
And in most cases, your pet can return home the same day.
Other reasons a vet may use a cat and dog endoscopy.
Foreign objects are one of the most common reasons a vet uses a cat or dog endoscopy. However, it isn’t just for swallowed toys.
Vets may also suggest an endoscopy if your pet has ongoing vomiting, blood in their stool, chronic diarrhoea, sudden weight loss or suspected inflammatory bowel disease. They can collect a biopsy through the scope, which can provide answers without invasive abdominal surgery.
How cat endoscopy can detect subtle illnesses earlier.
Cats hide pain too well. So, early gastrointestinal disease can often go unnoticed. Cat endoscopies allow vets to view stomach tissue directly, detect ulcers, inflammation or small foreign bodies, as well as collect biopsies for diagnosis, if required. It fast-tracks treatment instead of weeks of guesswork.
Where pet diagnostics guide safe and effective treatment.
Endoscopy is just one tool in a wide diagnostic approach at Plus One Vet Sunnybank. Pet x-rays, ultrasounds and blood work are all available in-clinic so treatment isn’t based on guesswork and you’re not left waiting for results. Our goal is always to catch problems early, resolve them quickly and avoid surgery wherever possible.
