Prior to performing the procedure, the vet will want to determine exactly which kind of biopsy they want to carry out. Tissue samples can be obtained either via an endoscope (which is minimally invasive and consists of threading a camera down the cat's throat to retrieve the sample), via a needle (which can be guided to the targeted tissue using ultrasound), or via surgery (which will involve cutting directly into the intestine or stomach). In all cases, the cat will be subdued with a dose of general anesthetic and if surgery is being performed, its belly will be shaved and cleaned. The endoscopy can be done in the space of a few minutes, as the vet simply has to thread the endoscope down the animal's throat and cut a small tissue sample from the digestive tract and extract the tube. The needle will require a little more finesse to locate the area in conjunction with ultrasound, but the process should only take under ten minutes altogether. A surgical biopsy, however, is rather more complicated. Firstly, the vet has to make a lengthwise incision along the belly of the cat in much the same manner as when performing a laparotomy, before uncovering the target area of the stomach or intestines. Next, they must carefully cut out a segment of the organ and remove it from the body before suturing the wounds shut and applying disinfectant.