Endoscopic vaginoscopy in the dog

Vaginoscopy is a useful diagnostic procedure for evaluating the nature and extent of disease in the vestibule and vagina of female dogs. Using flexible or rigid endoscopes improves the operator's capability to detect disease because of improved illumination and magnification while facilitating vaginal distension. The size of the scope should be appropriate for the size of the patient. Although a variety of positions are suitable, we place anesthetized dogs in dorsal recumbency to minimize inadvertent contamination of the operative field with feces. If the urinary tract will also be examined, evaluate the urethra and urinary bladder first and then the vagina. After the reproductive tract is examined, tissue biopsies can be obtained for microscopic evaluation.