In this episode of Diagnostic Tails, hosts Dr. Amy Armentrout and Dr. Lon Hays introduce the role of endoscopy in veterinary medicine and how it expands diagnostic and treatment options for referring veterinarians. Joined by technician Mia, they share insights from a recent hands-on training course and what this new capability means for patient care.

They break down how endoscopy allows for minimally invasive foreign body removal, targeted biopsies, and more efficient diagnostics — often under a single anesthetic event. The conversation also highlights the importance of teamwork between veterinarians and technicians, especially when performing advanced procedures.

You’ll learn:

• When endoscopy is the right choice for foreign body removal
• How endoscopy allows for targeted gastric and intestinal biopsies
• Why minimally invasive procedures improve recovery and efficiency
• The role of endoscopy in diagnosing GI disease and cancer
• How combining diagnostics under one anesthetic benefits patients and clients
• The importance of technician support and teamwork in advanced procedures
• How referral centers can provide faster access to specialized care

Whether it’s retrieving a foreign object or getting answers in a chronic GI case, this episode reinforces one core idea: endoscopy is a practical, efficient tool that helps veterinarians get answers faster — with less invasiveness for the patient.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Podcast Intro and Hosts welcome listeners

02:01 - Introducing Mia, a technician at Animal Imaging

02:41 - Lon shares background – 25+ years in a small animal private practice in Dallas

03:46 - Announcement: Animal Imaging will be offering endoscopic procedures

05:43 - Mia’s excitement about foreign body cases – “I wanna see what they ate”

06:17 - Endoscopy compared to a claw machine

09:19 - Mia’s personal highlights from the course - hanging with Dr. Hayes’ wife

14:42 - Mia’s highlights from the course from a technician standpoint

16:09 - Importance of the technician’s role in endoscopy and other procedures

23:18 - New CT imaging package announcement: bilateral elbows and shoulders

24:16 - CT of elbows and shoulders give you more information than x-ray.

26:04 - Closing – thank you and excitement about the CT offering.

Key Takeaways:

• Endoscopy is a minimally invasive tool for both diagnosis and treatment
• Ideal for removing gastric foreign bodies before they progress further in the GI tract
• Allows for targeted biopsies of the stomach and proximal small intestine
• Improves efficiency by combining diagnostics under a single anesthetic event
• Helps deliver faster answers and quicker turnaround for referring veterinarians
• Strong technician support is essential — endoscopy is a true team procedure
• Proper equipment care and handling are critical to protect investment and ensure performance
• Expands what referral centers can offer without requiring full hospitalization
• Provides an additional option when specialty centers have long wait times

Animal Imaging Veterinary Radiology Specialists

https://animalimaging.net/

(972) 869-2180

info@animalimaging.net

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AnimalImaging/

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/company/animalimaging

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