NON-INVASIVE OPTIONS AT THE ANIMAL MEDICAL
CENTER
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At the Animal Medical Center, we offer
non-invasive options for your pet. These services include
endoscopy, bronchoscopy, laparoscopy, and ultrasound).
What
does non-invasive mean?
Non-invasive simply means
that the body is not invaded or cut open as during many surgical
investigations or therapeutic surgery. Until the last several
decades, exploratory surgery was routinely performed when a pet was
critically ill and the source was not known or if a pet has
ingested a foreign body that needs to be removed.
Diagnostic imaging was first performed in the late 1800's with the
discovery of x-ray. For the first time, physicians could see
inside the body without having to perform exploratory
surgery. Thus, diagnostic imaging is also a "non-invasive"
way to look at internal organs and structures.
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RADIOLOGY |
We are fully
equipped for your pet's needed x-rays. We utilize the most
recent technology, in our state-of-the-art Tru DR
digital computerized x-ray machine for the clients convenience so
we can have your pet's films processed within seconds.
Our trained technical staff are thoroughly protected with lead
gowns, thyroid protectors, and gloves. A radiation badge is
also required for entering the radiology room, to protect and
measure the amount of radiation exposure of our technicians.
Our DVM staff are well trained to evaluate your pet's x-rays.
We also offer additional, more advanced, radiology
services such as barium series and Telemedicine. |
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ULTRASOUND/TELEMEDICINE |
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We are equipped
with an ultrasound machine and telemedicine equipment. In
humans, we refer ultrasound usually for looking at a fetus.
In animals, we use the ultrasound for many other purposes.
The common uses are: Echocardiograms (looking at the heart),
Liver guided biopsies, to obtain sterile urine, and to look at
anything else that may be needed.
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ENDOSCOPY |
Endoscopy is a medical procedure
that enables the doctor to examine the gastrointestinal tract with
a flexible instrument called an endoscope. Endoscopic procedures
are used to diagnose ailments, to screen for diseases, take
biopsies, and to remove foreign bodies. For example, if your pet accidentally
swallows a foreign object resulting in lethargy, vomiting, and lack
of appetite, we can sometimes correct the problem without
surgery. The non-invasive use of a video-endocscope with a
camera attached to it, is gently passed down your pets esophagus
and into the stomach. This permits us to visualize the object
on a TV monitor and attempt to grasp it with a special forceps
through the scope. If successful, your pet can avoid more
stressful, invasive, expensive, and painful
surgery. |
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LASER VIDEO OTOSCOPY
SURGERY |
With the same
camera used in the endoscope shown above, we can also attach it to
a special otoscope that is used to look into an ear. Such
equipment allows us to remove polyps, tumors, and debris with
either special forceps or laser. This allows polyp and tumor
removals to be done without a surgical procedure.
Example: Ear Polyp Removal (polyp is removed
with the TV otoscope and laser)
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AFTER |
LAPAROSCOPY
This new technology
uses a small video-camera attached to surgical telescopes that are
inserted through very small incisions in the abdominal cavity
to perform surgery with minimal tissue injury. We can explore
the internal organs for disease and obtain biopsies for a
definitive diagnoses. This is available at the Animal
Medical Center.
Bronchoscopy A bronchoscope is another type of video
scope that allows us to pass a very thin scope into your pets
trachea ( windpipe ), bronchial tubes, and lungs to vusualize and
diagnose disease, retrieve foreign bodies, and biopsy tumors
without invasive open-chest surgery. Your pet enjoys a much
faster recovery.photo
Does having a
non-invasive procedure done, mean that no surgery is
needed?
In medicine, there is
never a guarantee. We will do what we feel is medically
important for your pet. All decisions are made on a DVM to
client basis. We always want to try the non-invasive route
for your pet, but in some cases, surgery may still need to be
required.
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