Gastroscopy / Endoscopy
Fiber-optic scopes for gastric ulcer diagnosis and upper-airway exams, right at your barn.
Our 1- and 3-meter fiber-optic endoscopes with a computerized monitor let us perform upper-airway evaluations and gastric evaluations on the farm.
Gastroscopy lets us see inside the horse’s stomach and is used to diagnose equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS). Viewing the stomach lining directly lets us assess and monitor ulcers. Signs of ulcers can be vague but include poor performance, changes in behavior, colic, weight loss, increased girthiness and a generally poor-doing horse.
The stomach needs to be as empty as possible, so horses are fasted before a gastroscopy. Feed dinner the day before early enough that all feed can be removed from the stall by 5 pm, and take away water by 7 am on the morning of the procedure. If you can, keep your horse away from shavings, manure, trees and bushes overnight; a grazing muzzle can help, as long as your horse is comfortable drinking with it on.
Endoscopy lets us evaluate the upper airway and look for abnormalities causing respiratory noise or other problems.