Four things decide whether a veterinary endoscope fits your practice: image quality, insertion tube diameter, working channel size, and the reliability and support behind the equipment. A first-opinion small animal clinic scoping a handful of cases a month is buying something different from an ambulatory equine vet working out of a vehicle.
Ambulatory and clinic-based practice and the trolleys, capture and instruments around the scope have their own guides. You can also browse our full product range, equine endoscopy and small animal endoscopy.
Flexible or rigid endoscopes
Flexible endoscopes bend to follow the airway or the GI tract, suiting gastroscopy, rhinoscopy and bronchoscopy procedures. Rigid endoscopes hold a fixed, precise view in a defined space, suiting dental examination, arthroscopy and laparoscopy. They are simple to clean and stand up well to repeated use, since there are no channels running the length of a flexible insertion tube.
Most practices end up with both over time. On the flexible side we supply the Equine GastroView for upper GI examination, the Equine AirView range for airway and sinus work, and the Small Animal GastroView for smaller patients. On the rigid side, the RigiView range covers clinic-based rigid endoscopy, and the Equine RigiView Dental is built for equine dental examination.
Working channel size and what it lets you do
The working channel, not the insertion tube diameter, decides which instruments you can pass through a scope, including biopsy forceps, cytology brushes, snares and suction.
Our Equine GastroView has an 11 mm insertion tube and a 2.8 mm working channel. The Equine AirView Solo and AirView Sinus have a much slimmer 5.8 mm insertion tube and carry the same 2.8 mm channel. A slimmer scope does not automatically mean a narrower channel.
| Channel size | What it accommodates | Suction capability | Example Neuxmed scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 mm | Smaller biopsy forceps and cytology brushes | Limited, suited to small volumes | Small Animal AirView (2.8 mm insertion tube) |
| 2.8 mm | Larger biopsy forceps, snares and retrieval instruments | Active suction over larger volumes | Equine GastroView, Equine AirView Solo, Equine AirView Sinus, Small Animal GastroView |
General veterinary guidance holds that a channel of 2.8 mm or larger is usually needed for the larger biopsy forceps. Compatibility depends on the scope and the instrument set, and we are happy to check yours. The instruments and consumables that pass through the channel are listed with the range they fit.
What the working channel means for equine vs small animal practice
Equine gastroscopy asks more of the channel, because longer biopsy forceps and larger-volume suction have to work over a 3.5m working length. In small animal work, biopsies are far more clinically significant than in equine or human medicine, so a 2.8 mm biopsy channel in small animal gastroscopes is really important. The larger channel means a bigger biopsy sample and a much better chance of diagnosing the issue. See our equine range and the small animal range for the scopes that suit each.
Insertion tube diameter and which patients you can scope
Insertion tube diameter decides which patients you can scope and by which route, from a foal’s airway to an adult horse’s stomach. Wider scopes sometimes carry larger light guides, but the limiting factor is often the power of the light source, so it does not matter.
| Diameter | Typical patient and route | Example Neuxmed scope | Working length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 mm | Adult horse, gastric examination via the nasogastric route | Equine GastroView | 3.5m |
| 5.8 mm | Equine sinus and airway | Equine AirView Solo, Equine AirView Sinus | 1.5m |
| 7.9 mm | Small animal upper GI, all dog sizes | Small Animal GastroView | 1.5m |
The GastroView’s 11 mm diameter is slim enough to pass within a nasogastric tube for added protection. At 5.8 mm, the AirView Solo and AirView Sinus reach sinus and airway structures an 11 mm scope cannot.
Image quality and what it supports
Look for a Full HD CMOS sensor and a field of view wide enough for the examination you are doing. The Equine GastroView’s 140 degree field of view supports a fuller view of the examination area in fewer passes, and our VisionCore processors drive the image and handle capture on a fixed setup, alongside the rest of our imaging range.
Reliability, servicing and after-sales support
Reliability and support are decided by what happens when a scope needs repair, not by the spec sheet.
- Repair. We service and repair most brands of veterinary equipment with UK-based technicians. Our servicing and repairs page covers what we handle.
- Loan cover. We keep a healthy stock of loan equipment whilst your equipment is in for service or repair, available to dispatch within 2 working days. The real cost of downtime goes into turnaround, loan cover and service contracts.
- Training. All our equipment comes with comprehensive training and support, and we run training and CPD for practices building endoscopy capability.
We have worked in veterinary endoscopy since 2012 and you can read more about us. If you want to talk any of this through against your own caseload, book a consultation and a dedicated Neuxmed expert will meet you on a 30-minute call.
Caring for your endoscope between services
Correct cleaning and leak-testing after every procedure protects the scope between services and prevents avoidable repairs. Always follow the manufacturer’s cleaning and disinfection instructions for your specific model, since the process varies between scopes. If you are unsure whether your current handling and storage practice is right, our service team can look at it with you.
Portable or clinic-based setups
Ambulatory equine vets work from a vehicle and need equipment that travels. Clinic, referral and hospital buyers want a fixed trolley setup that several vets can share. We cover the two segments in our guide to ambulatory and clinic-based endoscopy.
Choosing the right endoscope for your practice
Once you know the scope you want, the trolleys, capture and instruments around it are worth planning at the same time, since they decide how well the setup works day to day.
To discuss the right endoscopy setup for your practice, speak to the Neuxmed team today. Book a consultation and we will go through your caseload, your existing kit and what would genuinely improve it.
Frequently asked questions
What is a veterinary endoscope?
A veterinary endoscope is a flexible or rigid instrument with a camera and light source at its tip. It is passed into an airway, a joint or the GI tract so the vet can see the lining of that structure on a monitor. Flexible scopes bend to follow the anatomy. Rigid scopes hold a fixed view. Most carry a working channel for passing instruments.
What is the difference between a rigid and a flexible veterinary endoscope?
Flexible endoscopes bend to follow the airway or GI tract, which suits gastroscopy, rhinoscopy and bronchoscopy. Rigid endoscopes hold a fixed, precise view in a defined space, which suits dental examination, arthroscopy and laparoscopy. Rigid scopes are generally simpler to clean and more durable under repeated use.
What working channel size do I need for biopsy forceps and suction?
General veterinary guidance points to a channel of 2.8 mm or larger for the larger biopsy forceps and for active suction over larger volumes. Our scopes carry either a 1.2 mm channel, which takes smaller forceps and cytology brushes, or a 2.8 mm channel. For small animal work the 2.8 mm channel is really important, because the larger channel means a bigger biopsy sample. Ask us to check the instrument you intend to pass against the channel size on the scope you are considering.
How much does a veterinary endoscope cost?
We do not publish prices, because every setup is specified around the practice buying it, including the scope, the processor, the instruments and the training. Get in touch and we will price the setup your caseload needs at fair and affordable prices.
Are there disadvantages to veterinary endoscopy?
Yes. The equipment is a considered capital purchase, and it needs trained staff and a reprocessing routine behind it. Endoscopy also examines the lining of an organ rather than deeper structures, so it complements radiography and ultrasound rather than replacing them.
How do I clean and maintain a veterinary endoscope?
Pre-clean and flush the channels immediately after the procedure, leak-test before immersion, and follow the manufacturer’s cleaning and disinfection instructions for your specific model. Store the scope hanging and dry rather than coiled in a case. We service and repair most brands if something is not right.
What loan and servicing support is available while my endoscope is being repaired?
We keep loan equipment in stock and can dispatch it within 2 working days, so a repair does not stop a clinic day. The real cost of downtime covers turnaround times, loan cover and service contracts in full.
