Video Capsule Endoscopy for Dogs
Seeing inside your dog’s digestive tract without surgery or anesthesia changes everything. Our anesthesia-free Video Capsule Endoscopy service provides clear answers to help guide the best treatment plan for your dog.
as simple as giving a pillVideo Capsule Endoscopy appointments cannot be scheduled online. Please call our office to arrange this service.
What Is VCE?
Video Capsule Endoscopy (VCE) is a safe, non-invasive way to look inside your dog’s stomach and intestines. This innovative procedure involves your dog swallowing a small camera capsule—about the size of a large vitamin—that captures thousands of detailed images as it travels naturally through the digestive system. And the best part is that no anesthesia is necessary!
Unlike traditional endoscopy, which requires sedation and can only reach limited portions of the GI tract, VCE can visualize the entire small intestine and colon, including areas that are otherwise impossible to examine with conventional upper GI endoscopy and colonoscopy. The intestinal camera capsule passes through your dog’s system over several hours, transmitting valuable diagnostic information without invasive procedures. This comprehensive view helps your veterinarian identify issues that may have been missed by ultrasound or traditional endoscopy.
capsule, recorder + vestWhy Might My Dog Need Video Capsule Endoscopy?
Digestive Issues
- Unexplained vomiting or chronic diarrhea
- Weight loss without a clear cause
- Symptoms that continue despite normal ultrasound or endoscopy results
Signs of Internal Bleeding
- Melena (black, tarry stool) or blood in the stool
- Anemia or microcytosis linked to possible internal bleeding
Suspected Conditions
- Ulcers or small-intestinal disease
- Concerns for blockages or foreign material
- Protein loss suspected through the intestinal tract
What the Capsule Sees
Examples of what the capsule's camera shows inside the gut.
Angiodysplasia
Hyperemia
Ileocolic valve bleed
Increased granularity
Lymphangiectasia
Tumor
Foreign body
Trichobezoar (hairball)
Healthy small intestineWhat to Expect: The Video Capsule Endoscopy Process
Before the Procedure
Your dog will need to fast for several hours before swallowing the capsule (your veterinarian will provide specific fasting instructions). This helps ensure clear images as the capsule travels through the digestive system.
During the Procedure
Dr. Bloomberg will administer the small camera capsule — it’s as simple as giving a pill. Your dog will stay either at Veterinary Diagnostic Centers, with you, or at your veterinarian’s office for the day while the capsule captures thousands of images as it naturally passes through the digestive tract. There’s no anesthesia and no recovery time needed.
After the Procedure
The capsule will pass naturally and safely in your dog’s stool, there’s no need to retrieve it. Our board-certified internist will review the complete study captured during the procedure and generate a detailed written report of all findings, which will be shared with your veterinarian within about a week to guide your dog’s treatment plan.
the recorder rides in a vest
relaxing in the vest
every frame, reviewed by the internistHow Video Capsule Endoscopy Compares to Traditional Endoscopy
Video Capsule Endoscopy offers several advantages as a complementary diagnostic tool to traditional endoscopy. While Upper and Lower GI endoscopy require anesthesia and involve scoping only specific portions of the digestive tract, our anesthesia-free intestinal camera can examine the entire length of the small intestine — areas that are completely out of reach for traditional scopes.
This makes VCE particularly valuable when your dog continues to show symptoms of gastrointestinal disease despite normal results from ultrasound or traditional endoscopy. The capsule technology allows us to detect bleeding lesions, ulcers, inflammation, and other abnormalities throughout the digestive tract that might otherwise go undiagnosed. Because no anesthesia is required, VCE also eliminates anesthesia-related risks and recovery time, making it a safer option for dogs where sedation may be a concern.
The MiroVET system has two parts: the camera capsule your dog swallows, and the recorder, carried in a vest, that stores the images as the capsule travels.
The capsule
the camera capsule
VC1000 · 120° view
VC1200 · 170° view
VC2000 · 170° view
sealed in its case
in its case
case openedThe recorder
VR1000 recorder
the recorder unit
the full kit
carry caseThe diagnostic experience with our small dog was excellent. Being with our dog while they completed the ultrasound, the care that the technicians took in keeping her calm and comfortable eased my mind. The thorough explanation of the procedure before and after with the veterinarian was exemplary. They provide emails and transcripts of all interactions including the test results. I highly recommend their diagnostic services.
The staff here was excellent. We came here for an ultrasound and the vet/techs discovered our dog needed immediate surgery. They had us set up to go to the emergency vet in minutes. Very professional and attentive staff made our stressful situation much more manageable.
Maggie Hanley
Brought my dog in for an ultrasound and they were very welcoming and compassionate. They made sure he was comfortable and did a great job with the testing. You can tell they genuinely care about your pet. Great place and highly recommend! Thank you!
Emily Hoffman
Personable as I could hope for. Places like this are refreshing and sort of restore your faith in humanity.
Gery N.
The staff was excellent and incredibly kind. You can tell they genuinely care about the pets they serve and take pride in making both pets and their owners feel comfortable and well cared for. Everyone was welcoming, patient, and compassionate, and I really appreciated the level of care and attention they provided. I would absolutely recommend them!
Absolutely compassionate, caring, above and beyond staff! Can not say enough about these kind ladies making us feel comfortable and safe about the whole procedure. My Ivy, 129 lb. Great Pyrenees mix with an over abundance of anxiety was made to feel safe and comfortable through the procedure. They told us everything that was going to happen before they did something. I felt at ease as they worked on her. I will be back if further testing is required. Thank you!
Adriana Prasch
Very professional and gentle with my dog. I loved they called me and gave me the appointment the same day. I will recommend this place to anyone that has an urgency for an ultrasound for their pet to get to know results fast.
Haydee Lopez
What a breath of fresh air in the difficult vet world! Easy, great communication, and fast results!
Shawn Hacker
I went here with my 14- year-old Shih Tzu for an ultrasound. Everyone was so nice and friendly, and did a great job of putting me and my dog both at ease. I hope I won't need their services again, of course, but if I did, I'd absolutely go back. Highly recommended if you need this kind of service!
At a time when we had no clue as to what was going on with our pet, Veterinary Diagnostic Centers were able to provide answers. Eternally grateful to them and the staff who helped us through a difficult, mysterious time.
Michael Onstott
Everyone was terrific, so helpful and professional. My dog needed an ultrasound and the entire staff was so kind and made me feel like my Rosie was in good hands. I would definitely recommend VDC.
Lynn H.
What an amazing experience we had today - our #191 lbs Saint Bernard, Leo, had to get an ultrasound. The team was so compassionate, knowledgeable and fast. We couldn't have asked for a better group to help us through a stressful experience.
Holly Fettinger