Does my pet need to be shaved or have a big incision?

It depends entirely on the type of endoscopy we're performing:

• Non-laparoscopic endoscopies (nose, throat, esophagus/stomach, bladder, ears) are performed through natural body openings → no surgical incisions at all.
• Every patient will have a small patch shaved on a leg for the IV catheter (required for anesthesia). A small perianal shave may also be needed in some cases.
• Laparoscopy (e.g., prophylactic gastropexy, laparoscopic-assisted spay, organ biopsies, some cystotomies/bladder stone removals) is still a form of endoscopy, but it does require 1–3 very small incisions (usually 5–15 mm) and abdominal shaving/clipping for sterility.

Even with laparoscopy, pain is dramatically reduced, recovery is much faster, and scars are tiny compared to traditional open surgery.