Clinical studies on upper gastro-intestinal endoscopy in dogs

Endoscopic evaluation of oesophagus, stomach and duodenum was conducted in 12 dogs of either sex, belonging to different breeds and age groups presented with the history of reduction in food intake, regurgitation or chronic vomiting and not responding to symptomatic treatment. Diagnosis was made on the basis of clinical symptoms, haemato-biochemical, radiographic, ultrasonographic, endoscopic and histopathologic evaluation and appropriate treatment was done. Prominent clinical signs observed were chronic vomiting, regurgitation and anorexia. Different conditions diagnosed on endoscopy included gastric foreign body obstruction (2), oesophagitis (3), megaoesophagus (3), oesophageal diverticulum (1), extramural oesophageal mass and gastric ulcer (1), haemorrhagic gastritis (2) and gastric adenocarcinoma (1). Radiographic (plain and contrast), ultrasonographic finding complemented the endoscopic examination. Endoscopy was found to be minimally invasive and efficient diagnostic tool to visualize precise location of the lesion and facilitated surgical manoeuvres to be undertaken in dogs.