GI Endoscopy in Cats: What Can We Learn?

Gastrointestinal endoscopy is commonly performed in cats and is useful in the diagnosis of many (GI) gastrointestinal disorders. Many GI diseases require mucosal biopsy for diagnosis and endoscopy is a minimally invasive technique, with less morbidity when compared to surgical exploratory and full-thickness biopsy. Gastrointestinal endoscopy also has therapeutic value as foreign bodies can be removed, esophageal strictures dilated, and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubes placed. Endoscopic skills can easily be developed by practitioners that 1) acquire knowledge of the normal endoscopic anatomy, 2) become familiar with the appearance of common lesions, 3) receive appropriate hands-on instruction, and 4) devote the time and effort required to learn proper technique. Although rigid endoscopic equipment can be useful in diagnosing some esophageal and colonic disorders, the author routinely performs flexible endoscopy in cats. Flexible endoscopes provide better mucosal visualization and allow the tip to be advanced around flexures and through many sphincters of the gastrointestinal tract. Endoscopes to be used in cats should have four-way tip deflection, automatic air-water insufflation, a large biopsy channel, a diameter less than 10mm and a working length of at least 100 cm. Available accessories should include biopsy forceps, cytology brushes, and a variety of foreign-body retrieval forceps. It is the author's opinion that endoscopic capability should be available to the average private practice. Endoscopy encourages the practice of high quality medicine by providing a minimally invasive, highly useful, diagnostic and therapeutic procedure.