Endoscopy Services
Endoscopy allows visualisation of areas of the equine body that are difficult to access, such as the upper respiratory system (including the pharynx, larynx, guttural pouches and trachea), parts of the gastrointestinal tract (oesophagus, stomach, duodenum, rectum and small colon), the urinary tract (the urethra and bladder of males and females), and the reproductive tract (cervix, vagina and uterus) of mares. Our dental experts also use oral endoscopy to assist them in carrying out advanced dentistry procedures including dental corrections and surgery.
Endoscopy is an essential part of the evaluation of horses exhibiting poor performance, upper airway obstructions and abnormal respiratory noises, many lung diseases, gastric (stomach) ulcers and many urinary tract diseases.
Sophisticated equipment aids accurate diagnoses
At Rossdales our vets have access to a range of different sized endoscopes that they can use to visualise these different regions of the horse in great detail and take small biopsy samples for laboratory diagnosis. The endoscopes are linked to a screen (videoendoscopy), which allows the vets and the clients to see the images at the same time and for the images to be recorded.
Our sophisticated overground endoscopy system has revolutionised the way that we are able to observe and accurately diagnose conditions of the upper respiratory tract in exercising horses, allowing our vets to view what is happening to the horse’s larynx and pharynx, while the horse is being ridden. The images are recorded via equipment attached to the saddle and via telemetry the vet can view the horse’s respiratory system in real time. This equipment has already greatly increased our ability to accurately diagnose and treat the cause of respiratory noises and poor performance in equine athletes.