Bronchoscopy
Thoracoscopy
Explore the Benefits of Bronchoscopy or Thoracoscopy for Your Pet’s Respiratory Health.
Conditions Diagnosed & Treated with Bronchoscopy Thoracoscopy
Our state-of-the-art bronchoscopy and thoracoscopy services offer an unparalleled view of your pet’s respiratory system and chest cavity, enabling us to diagnose and address issues that might otherwise go unnoticed. Whether your pet is experiencing chronic coughing, difficulty breathing, unexplained respiratory symptoms, or chest discomfort, these advanced minimally invasive procedures provide invaluable insights and precise treatment options to support their optimal health.
Chronic Coughing
Persistent coughing in pets can be indicative of underlying respiratory issues such as tracheal collapse, bronchitis, pneumonia, or lung tumors. Bronchoscopy allows us to visually inspect the airways and identify the cause of the cough.
Foreign Body Removal
Pets, especially curious puppies and kittens, may accidentally inhale or ingest foreign objects that become lodged in their airways. Bronchoscopy enables us to locate and safely remove these objects, preventing respiratory obstruction and potential complications.
Airway Irritation and Inflammation
Inflammatory conditions affecting the airways, such as allergic bronchitis or inhalant allergies, can be evaluated through bronchoscopy. Visualisation of the airway mucosa allows us to assess the degree of inflammation and tailor treatment plans accordingly.
Respiratory Infections
Bronchoscopy can aid in diagnosing and treating respiratory infections such as bacterial pneumonia, fungal infections, or viral respiratory diseases. Sample collection through bronchoscopy allows for accurate identification of the causative agents, guiding targeted treatment strategies.
Bronchial Collapse
Conditions like tracheal collapse or bronchomalacia can cause narrowing or collapse of the airways, leading to breathing difficulties in pets. Bronchoscopy helps visualise the extent of airway collapse and facilitates interventions such as stent placement or supportive measures to improve airflow.
Diaphragmatic Hernias
Diaphragmatic hernias occur when a tear or defect in the diaphragm allows abdominal organs, such as the stomach, liver, or intestines, to move into the chest cavity. This condition can severely affect a pet’s breathing and overall health, making timely diagnosis and treatment essential.
Tumours & Masses
Bronchoscopy enables us to visualise and biopsy suspicious lesions or masses within the airways. This allows for the diagnosis of benign or malignant tumours, guiding treatment decisions such as surgical excision, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.
Chronic Respiratory Diseases
Pets suffering from chronic respiratory diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma can benefit from bronchoscopy to assess the severity of airway inflammation and mucosal changes. Targeted treatment options, including bronchodilators and corticosteroids, can be initiated based on bronchoscopic findings.
The Procedures
Bronchoscopy and thoracoscopy are highly valuable diagnostic and therapeutic procedures used to examine and treat conditions affecting your pet’s respiratory system and chest cavity. These minimally invasive techniques provide detailed insights into your pet’s health, enabling accurate diagnoses and targeted treatments. Below is an overview of what you can expect during bronchoscopy and thoracoscopy procedures for your furry companion.
Pre-procedure Preparation
Before the bronchoscopy, your veterinarian will conduct a thorough physical examination of your pet and may perform diagnostic tests such as bloodwork, chest X-rays, or respiratory tract imaging to assess their overall health and the extent of respiratory issues.
Anaesthesia or Sedation
Bronchoscopy in pets typically requires general anesthesia to ensure the pet remains still and comfortable throughout the procedure. We will carefully select an appropriate anesthetic protocol based on your pet’s age, breed, health status, and the nature of the bronchoscopy.
Bronchoscopy Procedure
We will gently insert the bronchoscope into your pet’s airway through either the mouth or nose, depending on the animal’s size and anatomy. The bronchoscope, equipped with a camera and light at its tip, allows visualisation of the trachea, bronchi, and smaller airways.
As the bronchoscope is carefully advanced through the airways, the veterinarian will visually inspect the internal structures for abnormalities such as inflammation, foreign bodies, tumours, or signs of infection. Real-time images from the bronchoscope are displayed on a monitor, allowing for detailed assessment.
If necessary, we may perform sampling procedures such as bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) to collect fluid or cells for laboratory analysis or bronchial brushing or biopsy to obtain tissue samples for histopathological examination. Therapeutic interventions such as removing foreign bodies or clearing mucus plugs may also be performed during bronchoscopy.
Thoracoscopy Procedure
During a thoracoscopy, small incisions are made in your pet’s chest wall to insert a thoracoscope, a thin instrument equipped with a camera and light. With high-definition visualisation, this allows us to thoroughly examine the chest cavity, including the lungs, pleura, and pericardium.
The thoracoscope provides real-time images on a monitor, enabling the veterinarian to assess internal structures for abnormalities such as tumours, fluid buildup, inflammation, or other conditions affecting the thoracic organs.
Additional instruments can be introduced through the same incisions to perform sampling procedures, such as collecting tissue biopsies or draining fluid for laboratory analysis. In some cases, therapeutic interventions like removing masses, treating pleural effusions, or repairing diaphragmatic hernias can be performed during the thoracoscopy.
Post-Procedure Care
Once the bronchoscopy is completed, your pet will be carefully monitored as they recover from anaesthesia. They may be provided with supplemental oxygen and supportive care as needed to ensure a smooth recovery. Depending on the complexity of the procedure and your pet’s condition, they may need to stay at the practice for observation or be discharged home with post-procedure care instructions.
Bronchoscopy / Thoracoscopy Benefits in Pets
Overall, bronchoscopy and thoracoscopy offer comprehensive approaches to diagnosing and managing respiratory and thoracic conditions in pets. These minimally invasive procedures provide accurate assessments, enable targeted interventions, and allow for personalised care to improve your pet’s quality of life.
If your pet is experiencing respiratory symptoms, chest discomfort, or has been diagnosed with a condition affecting the airways or thoracic cavity, discussing the potential benefits of bronchoscopy and thoracoscopy with us can help determine the most appropriate course of action to meet their unique health needs.
Accurate Diagnosis
Allows direct visualisation of the respiratory system and precise sampling for identifying issues like infections or tumours.
Minimally Invasive
Reduces discomfort and recovery time compared to surgical procedures.
Targeted Treatment
Enables removal of obstructions, clearing debris, and delivering medication directly to the problem area.
Chronic Conditions
Monitoring chronic conditions helps track disease progression and evaluate treatment effectiveness.
Early Detection
Identifies respiratory issues early for timely intervention.
Surgical Alternative
Reduces the need for invasive exploratory surgeries.