When it comes to foreign body retrieval, timing and technique can make all the difference. While some cases require surgical intervention, endoscopy offers a minimally invasive, highly effective alternative—often resulting in shorter recovery times, less discomfort, and reduced risk of complications.

At Mountainside, our veterinary team recently completed a training refresher to further strengthen their endoscopic skills. We’re proud to share that our full ER team is now capable of performing foreign body removals via scope.

That said, even when a case appears straightforward, complications can arise. It’s critical that endoscopic procedures are performed in a facility equipped to escalate quickly if needed. Our endoscopy suite is fully supported by experienced staff, diagnostic imaging, and surgical backup to ensure patient safety throughout the process.

So far this year, we’ve successfully removed a variety of foreign bodies via endoscopy, including:

• A fish hook from the esophagus of a large dog

• Pieces of a wool sweater from a cat

• A needle and thread from a cat

• Underwear from a dog

• Two pork chop bones from the stomach of a 4 kg dog

If you’re managing a suspected foreign body case that may be suitable for endoscopic retrieval, feel free to reach out to discuss or refer. We’re here to help support your patients with timely, minimally invasive care.