ENDOSCOPIC DIAGNOSIS AND THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES OF THE UPPER DIGESTIVE TRACT IN ANIMALS

Abstract

Flexible endoscopy is a minimally invasive technique of the visualization, investigation and biopsy of gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Practicing gastroscopy in small animals is still apparently new in Bangladesh. Diagnostic implications include the evaluation of structural abnormalities, inflammatory conditions, intraluminal masses, injuries, and foreign bodies (FB). Due to difficulties of visual examination of the upper GI tract, various diseases of the GI system remain undiagnosed. The aim of this study was to diagnosis and management of complications in upper GI tract by minimally invasive method in appropriate anesthesia. In addition, to determine the digestive health of an animal compared with its history and physical examination. The present study was conducted on 30 animals (10 goats, 10 dogs and 10 cats) during July 2021 to March 2022. Depending on the conditions of the animal, all goats (n=10) were sedated with diazepam while, most of the dogs (n=8) and few number of cats (n=4) were gone for general anesthesia with xylazine premedication and few dogs (n=2) and most cats (n=6) were without premedication. Ketamine was administered in a dog and four cats, a combination of ketamine with diazepam was used in six dogs and a cat and propofol was administered in three dogs and five cats. The fasting duration in goats, the time of hospitalization and procedural time in dogs and cats were statistically significant (P≤0.05) in subgroups. Gastroscopy broadly 80% of goats (n=8), 40% of dogs (n=4) and 80% of cats (n=8) had normal ruminal or gastric mucosal appearance; 20% of goats had abnormal ruminal nature, mild to moderate gastritis obtained on 50% of dogs and 10% of cats, and severe gastritis documented on 10% of dogs and cats. Therapeutically, 80% of the FB in cats (n=4/5) were successfully retrieved by endoscope. On endoscopic examination, 30% of dogs and 50% of cats were diagnosed as healthy with history of anorexia or FB obstruction while, 20% of dogs had gastritis without clinical illness. All animals returned to its normal behavior with minimum difficulties.