AMCS is excited to announce our development of an Interventional Radiology (IR) service as part of our already established Internal Medicine Department!

Interventional Radiology (IR) involves the use of contemporary imaging modalities (CT scans, fluoroscopy, ultrasonography) to gain access to different structures of the pet’s body for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. IR can be applied to any body system in patients of all sizes. Some techniques, such as chemoembolization of tumors or palliative stenting for malignant obstructions, offer treatment options for patients with various conditions that may not be amenable to standard therapies. IR procedures are generally associated with better patient outcomes, minimal anesthesia time and reduced hospital stays.

AMCS utilizes Interventional Radiology, often in conjunction with endoscopy, to treat and diagnose a wide variety of issues including:

Interventional Oncology

• Chemoembolization of certain non-resectable neoplasias (hepatic, prostatic)
• Laser ablation of certain bladder tumors
• Urethral and ureteral stenting and ballooning for malignancies
• Tracheal stenting for malignancies
• Intra-arterial chemotherapy delivery for TCC of bladder, urethra and prostate

Urologic

• Urethral and ureteral stenting and ballooning for malignancies, strictures, obstructions, or infections
• Diagnostic and therapeutic cystoscopy
• Voiding urethrohydropulsion
• Endoscopic sclerotherapy for idiopathic renal hematuria in dogs
• Hydraulic occluder placement and maintenance for refractory incontinence
• Ectopic ureter ablation: available in both males and females
• Laser ablation of persistent mesonephric remnant or hymens, and of certain bladder tumors
• SUB (subcutaneous ureteral bypass)
• PCCL (percutaneous cystolithotomy) for bladder stone removal

Gastrointestinal

• Esophageal and colonic stenting for neoplasia/strictures
• Polypectomy (esophageal, gastric, and colonic)
• Esophageal dilation
• PEG tube placement

Hepatobiliary

• Chemoembolization of non-resectable hepatic neoplasia

Respiratory

• Tracheal stenting
• Endoscopic tracheal tumor removal
• Bronchial/tracheal foreign body retrieval
• Nasopharyngeal stenting
• Nasopharyngeal balloon dilation

If you have a patient who you think would benefit from our IR service, please do not hesitate to call to discuss the case with Dr. Donovan.

Ectopic ureters are a congenital defect where the ureter is connected directly to the urethra instead of the urinary bladder. This condition usually causes constant urinary incontinence, chronic urinary tract infections, and can lead to kidney damage.

This video is of an ectopic ureter laser ablation, a minimally invasive procedure that utilizes a laser to cut the membrane between the ectopic ureter and urethra, allowing the ureter to open up to the urinary bladder which helps to restore urinary continence.

At the Animal Medical Center of Seattle, we focus on minimally invasive techniques through our Interventional Radiology and endoscopy service to correct a variety of different conditions. We offer less invasive options that provide shorter anesthesia time, less pain and a quicker recovery time compared to conventional techniques.

Interventional Radiology’s use of advanced imaging technology enables our doctors to view nearly every structure in the body, allowing them to make comprehensive diagnoses and treat animals with more targeted therapies.