-Gastrointestinal Endoscopy - Additional Information:

  • Advantages:

    • Extremely safe, rare complications
    • No recovery time
    • With proper workup, ~90% diagnostic success
    • Allows visualization of mucosal lesions
    • Therapeutic applications

  • Indications:

    • Dysphagia
    • Regurgitation
    • Chronic Vomiting
    • Hematemesis
    • Melena
    • Anorexia
    • Chronic Diarrhea
    • Hematochezia
    • Fecal Mucus
    • Tenesmus

  • Therapeutic Applications:

    • Stricture dilation
    • PEG tube placement
    • Foreign body removal

  • Limitations:

    • Cannot evaluate entire length of small intestine
    • Lesions in submucosa and muscularis difficult to detect

  • Preparation for Procedure:

    • Chronic vomiting/diarrhea

      • Therapeutic trials should be performed first if animal stable: deworming, diet trial, antibiotic trial (tylosin or metronidazole)

      • Consider TLI/cobalamine/folate/PLI prior to scoping

    • Colonoscopy

      • NPO 3 days prior to procedure

      • 3-4 warm water enemas day of procedure