Introduction

Uses

• Examination of the gastric mucosal surface.
• Collection of gastric mucosal biopsy samples.
• Detection  and retrieval of gastric foreign bodies Stomach: foreign body Gastroscopy: removal of a gastric stone FB.
• Percutaneous gastrostomy tube (PEG) placement Gastrostomy: percutaneous tube 1 (endoscopic).
• Investigation of:
  • Vomiting Vomiting.
  • Hematemesis.
  • Gastric neoplasia Stomach: neoplasia.
  • Chronic gastritis Stomach: chronic gastritis .
  • Gastric ulceration Gastric ulceration.
  • Pyloric outflow disorders Stomach: gastric outflow disease.

Advantages

• Non-invasive technique requiring no surgical intervention.
• Well-tolerated by sick dogs which would be unsuitable for laparotomy.
• Requires only light general anesthesia - rapid recovery.
• Good visualization of the gastric mucosa.
• Follow-up examination well-tolerated and useful for assessing response to treatment

Disadvantages

• Does not detect motility disorders.
• Does not detect pyloric stenosis Stomach: pyloric stenosis.
• Will not detect pathology lying under the mucosa.
• Limited to stomach and descending duodenum.
• Difficulty passing through pylorus in some cats and small dogs.
• Cannot carry out surgical correction compared with laparotomy.
• Expensive equipment.

Requirements

Preparation

Procedure

Aftercare

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.

Other sources of information

• Simpson J W (1996) Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. In: Manual of Canine and Feline Gastroenterology. D Thomas, J W Simpson & E J Hall (eds), BSAVA, Cheltenham. p 20.
• Tams T R (1990) Small Animal Endoscopy. C V Mosby, St Louis.

Organisation(s)

• Key-Med UK Ltd, Keymed House, Stock Road, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS2 5QH, UK.
• Arnolds Veterinary Products, Cartmel Drive, Harlescott Shrewsbury SY1 3TB, UK.
• Veterinary Endoscope Services, Alder House, High Road, Rayleigh, Essex SS6 7SA, UK.