Las Vegas Animal Hospital Upgrades Feline Endoscopy Equipment for More Accurate Diagnoses

LAS VEGAS, Aug. 19, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- All About Cats Veterinary Hospital, a Las Vegas cat veterinary medical center, has recently upgraded their feline-specific endoscopy equipment. Feline endoscopy provides a minimally invasive method to diagnose intestinal diseases and other common feline issues, explains Dr. Terri Koppe of the animal hospital. According to the veterinarian, endoscopy allows for inspection of the inside of the intestinal tract with less risk and quicker recovery time than exploratory surgery. The cat hospital is one of few Las Vegas facilities with the experience, training and tools to provide this procedure for felines.

The cat veterinary center has recently made a significant investment in state-of-the-art endoscopic technology. Storz Telepack Vet X, an integrated system that includes an LCD video monitor, digital image capture and reporting, and the ability to record video of the camera's-eye view is part of the upgrades.

According to Dr. Koppe, the new endoscope is useful in diagnosing intestinal ailments. One of the most important roles of endoscopic evaluation is the detection of inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD. Inflammatory bowel disease in cats can cause a number of different symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss and/or changes in appetite.

"Inflammatory bowel disease is common in cats but also dangerous," says the cat veterinarian. "Inflammatory cells within the intestinal lining affect the intestines' ability to function normally. In cats, IBD has a tendency to develop, over time, into diffuse intestinal cancers such as intestinal lymphoma if not diagnosed early. Our endoscope allows us to see inside the intestines and collect biopsies for testing."

According to the veterinarian, the endoscope is an important diagnostic tool for early detection and is easier for the patient compared to exploratory surgery. "Cat owners hesitate to allow exploratory surgery to diagnose and many cats continue to suffer symptoms," says Dr. Koppe. "Endoscopic examinations can save lives, just like it does for humans receiving routine screening colonoscopies or receiving upper GI endoscopy due to symptoms such as reflux."

General anesthesia is part of the endoscopy, but poses fewer risks and less trauma and pain than surgery-based intestinal exploration and biopsy, said the veterinarian. In addition to pinpointing intestinal problems, endoscopic procedures also assist in the detection of other disorders, including urinary and nasal issues. "Our cat hospital uses scopes as small as 1.2 millimeters in diameter. This allows us to see inside narrow anatomical structures such as the male urinary tract."

"While the upgrade to the new Storz Telepack Vet X will help improve the accuracy of our diagnoses, the most important tool our animal hospital has is our extensive knowledge of felines," added the cat veterinarian. "At our cat veterinary center we treat felines exclusively, and as a result we have developed an extraordinarily detailed knowledge of feline anatomy and pathology."

All About Cats Veterinary Hospital is currently offering special pricing on endoscopic procedures.