Laparoscopy & Endoscopy

PetFocus offers laparoscopic and endoscopic diagnostic and surgical services. At our PetWorks location, we have state-of-the-art laparoscopic instrumentation and training from Karl Storz, the world leader in veterinary endoscopy and laparoscopy, to be able to provide advanced, minimally invasive surgical and diagnostic options for your best friend. The most common application for laparoscopy today is a biopsy of the liver, kidney, pancreas, or masses. Other diagnostic applications include evaluation of abdominal trauma, response to therapy, full-thickness intestinal biopsies or investigating abnormal radiographic or ultrasound findings. Organs and masses can be biopsied under direct observation and areas of concern or interest can be biopsied accurately. Laparoscopic surgery also includes crypto orchidectomy, gastropexy, hernia repair, cystotomy, ovariectomy (OV) and ovariohysterectomy (OVH). Our patients show little or no discomfort after such procedures with the minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques.

How is laparoscopy used at the clinic?

Laparoscopy today is a biopsy of the liver, kidney, pancreas, or masses. Other diagnostic applications include evaluation of abdominal trauma, response to therapy, full-thickness intestinal biopsies or investigating abnormal radiographic or ultrasound findings. Organs and masses can be biopsied under direct observation and areas of concern or interest can be biopsied accurately. Laparoscopic surgery also includes crypto orchidectomy, gastropexy, hernia repair, cystotomy, gall bladder surgery, ovariectomy (OV) and ovariohysterectomy (OVH). Our patients show much less discomfort after such procedures performed with minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques.

How is endoscopy used at the clinic?

Endoscopy uses long flexible fiberoptic scopes to look inside your pet when needed. We mainly use endoscopes to look in the esophagus, stomach, intestines and sometimes the lungs. It is a very safe and non-invasive procedure that allows us to search for abnormalities in those areas and sometimes we can even remove some of the unusual items that our pets like to swallow (socks, coins, cell phones, etc.). We can even take very small biopsies of the stomach and intestinal lining or fluid, and cell samples from the lungs to help in the diagnosis of some diseases. If you have any questions regarding laparoscopic/endoscopic procedures and feel your pet may benefit from minimally invasive laparoscopic or endoscopic diagnostic or surgical services, please contact Dr. Rick Swinemar at the PetWorks location of PetFocus Veterinary Group.

Submit your patient’s information:

NEW Online Referral Form – submit patient information and medical records

Endoscopy Referral Form – PDF
Endoscopy Referral Form – Electronic PDF