Gastrointestinal disease
Gastroscopy can help assess the oesophagus, stomach and upper small intestine when gastrointestinal disease is suspected.
Veterinary Endoscopy Adelaide
Veterinary Endoscopy Services in Adelaide
Referral endoscopy services for dogs and cats, provided in collaboration with your regular veterinarian.
SAVMR provides diagnostic and selected therapeutic endoscopy procedures, including gastroscopy, bronchoscopy and foreign body retrieval where clinically appropriate.
Endoscopic assessment
What veterinary endoscopy can help assess
Endoscopy allows the inside of selected body systems to be examined using a small camera. It can help your veterinarian investigate signs that may involve the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract or other accessible areas.
Respiratory disease
Bronchoscopy can help investigate selected airway and lower respiratory tract concerns.
Foreign bodies
In selected cases, endoscopy may allow foreign body retrieval without open surgery.
Biopsy and sampling
Endoscopy may allow targeted tissue samples or other diagnostic samples to be collected where appropriate.
Gastroscopy
Gastroscopy for dogs and cats
Gastroscopy allows the oesophagus, stomach and upper small intestine to be examined directly. It may be recommended when a pet has ongoing vomiting, regurgitation, suspected ulcers, suspected foreign material, unexplained gastrointestinal signs or abnormal imaging findings.
The aim is to help the referring veterinarian understand what may be causing the problem and what should happen next. This may include treatment, biopsy, monitoring, additional testing or referral planning.
Ongoing vomiting
Regurgitation
Suspected gastric or oesophageal foreign body
Suspected ulcers or inflammation
Unexplained appetite changes
Unexplained weight loss
Abnormal gastrointestinal imaging findings
Targeted biopsy where appropriate
Book or refer a gastroscopy appointment
Bronchoscopy
Bronchoscopy for respiratory cases
Bronchoscopy allows direct assessment of the airways using an endoscope. It may be recommended when a pet has respiratory signs that need further investigation, particularly when routine testing has not provided enough information.
Airway assessment
Bronchoscopy can help assess the inside of the airways and identify visible changes that may guide diagnosis.
Respiratory sampling
Where appropriate, samples may be collected to help investigate infection, inflammation or other respiratory conditions.
Referral case planning
Findings are considered with the pet’s history, examination findings, imaging and other tests before recommendations are made.
Foreign body retrieval
Endoscopic foreign body retrieval
Some foreign bodies can be retrieved with endoscopy, depending on their location, shape, size, timing and the pet’s condition. This may avoid open surgery in selected cases.
Oesophageal foreign bodies
Foreign material lodged in the oesophagus may sometimes be assessed and retrieved using endoscopy.
Stomach foreign bodies
Some stomach foreign bodies can be removed endoscopically if they are suitable for retrieval.
Nasal foreign material
Endoscopy may assist with selected nasal foreign material cases depending on the location and clinical findings.
Bladder calculi in selected cases
Small calculi may be retrievable in selected patients where anatomy and stone size make this approach suitable.
When endoscopy may help
When your vet may recommend endoscopy
Your regular vet may recommend endoscopy when direct visual assessment or targeted sampling may help answer a clinical question.
Ongoing gastrointestinal signs
Vomiting, regurgitation, appetite changes or weight loss that needs further investigation.
Suspected foreign body
Endoscopy may be considered if a foreign object is suspected in the oesophagus, stomach, nasal cavity or another accessible area.
Respiratory signs
Bronchoscopy may be recommended for selected coughing, airway or lower respiratory tract concerns.
Need for targeted sampling
Endoscopy may allow biopsies or samples to be collected from specific areas that need further investigation.
Appointment process
What happens during an endoscopy appointment
The appointment process depends on the type of endoscopy required, the reason for referral and the clinical information provided by your regular veterinarian. SAVMR reviews the case and advises the most suitable next step.
Clinical details are reviewed
The referring vet provides history, examination findings, imaging, blood results and the main reason for endoscopy.
The procedure is planned
The team considers the procedure type, anaesthetic needs, patient safety and whether endoscopy is suitable for the case.
Endoscopy is performed
The relevant area is examined using flexible or rigid endoscopy. Samples or retrieval may be performed where appropriate.
Results go back to your vet
Findings and recommendations are shared with the regular veterinarian to guide ongoing care.
For referring vets
Information for referring veterinarians
SAVMR supports general practice veterinarians with diagnostic and selected therapeutic endoscopy procedures. The aim is to provide clear findings, practical recommendations and a referral pathway that supports the regular clinic.
Helpful information to provide with an endoscopy referral
Relevant clinical history
Current medications
Fasting status, if known
Physical examination findings
Recent blood and urine results
Previous imaging reports
Suspected foreign body details, if relevant
Timing of suspected foreign body ingestion, if known
Main clinical question
Preferred contact details
Related services
Related referral services
Endoscopy is often part of a wider diagnostic plan. SAVMR also provides related referral services for medical, imaging and cardiac cases.
Veterinary Ultrasound
Abdominal, urinary tract and focused ultrasound for dogs and cats with internal medical concerns.
View veterinary ultrasoundInternal Medicine
Referral support for complex medical conditions, chronic illness and diagnostic planning.
View internal medicineVeterinary Cardiology
Echocardiography and cardiac assessment for pets with murmurs or suspected heart disease.
View veterinary cardiologyQuestions
Veterinary endoscopy FAQs
Veterinary endoscopy uses a small camera to examine selected internal areas such as the gastrointestinal tract, airways or nasal passages. It can help with diagnosis, sampling and selected retrieval procedures.
Your vet may recommend gastroscopy if your pet has ongoing vomiting, regurgitation, suspected ulcers, suspected foreign material, unexplained appetite changes or abnormal gastrointestinal imaging findings.
Bronchoscopy is used to assess the airways and may help investigate selected coughing, airway or lower respiratory tract concerns. Samples may be collected where appropriate.
In selected cases, yes. Suitability depends on the object’s location, size, shape, timing and the pet’s condition. Some cases need surgery or emergency care instead.
Most endoscopy procedures require general anaesthesia so the pet is still, safe and comfortable during the procedure.
Yes. SAVMR provides findings and recommendations to the referring veterinarian so they can guide your pet’s ongoing care.
Next step
Need to arrange veterinary endoscopy?
Submit a booking or referral request and the SAVMR team will help guide the next step for your patient or pet.
For urgent appointment enquiries, please contact the team directly by phone.