What is video otoscopy?
Video otoscopy is the use of a specialized camera and scope (rather than a standard veterinary otoscope) to examine a pet’s ear canal.
Why is otoscopy done?
Otoscopy allows a veterinarian to visually inspect your pet’s ear canal and ear drum. This, along with other tests (for example, microscopic examination of debris in the canal), allows the veterinarian to make a diagnosis and formulate a treatment plan. Dogs’ ear canals are shaped differently than humans; as a result, using standard veterinary otoscopes sometimes makes the ear canal inspection more uncomfortable, sometimes requiring light sedation of your pet.
Why use video otoscopy?
Specialized veterinary video otoscopes are designed to provide better visualization of the surface of the ear canal and ear drum using increased light and 5-6X magnification. The image of the canal can be displayed on a video monitor; this allows veterinarians to share this surface inspection with colleagues and owners. Additionally, the improvements in visual inspection of the ear canal and ear drum using video otoscopy over standard otoscopy often decreases the need for sedation.
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