Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Multiple gastric erosions diagnosed by means of capsule endoscopy in a dog.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 2016
- Authors:
- Hardy, Brian T et al.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 6-year-old spayed female Golden Retriever was taken to the vet because she had been eating less than usual, showing signs of stomach pain, and losing weight over the past two weeks. During the exam, the vet found mild pain in her abdomen and noted that she was underweight. Blood tests showed some minor issues, but an ultrasound of her abdomen looked normal. To get a better look inside her stomach, the vet used a capsule endoscopy, which revealed several sores and bleeding in her stomach. She was treated with medications for six weeks and switched to a special diet. After a follow-up endoscopy showed improvement, the treatment was extended for two more weeks. At a check-up nine months later, the dog was doing well and appeared healthy.
Abstract
CASE DESCRIPTION A 6-year-old spayed female Golden Retriever was evaluated for a 2-week history of progressive hyporexia, signs of abdominal pain, and weight loss. CLINICAL FINDINGS Physical examination findings included mild signs of pain on palpation of the cranial part of the abdomen and a body condition score of 4 (scale, 1 to 9). A CBC revealed mild microcytosis and hypochromasia; results of serum biochemical analysis were within the respective reference ranges, and abdominal ultrasonography revealed no abnormalities. Capsule endoscopy was performed, and numerous gastric erosions and hemorrhages were detected, with rare dilated lacteals in the proximal aspect of the small intestine. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME Treatment was initiated with omeprazole and sucralfate for 6 weeks, and the dog was transitioned to a novel protein diet. Capsule endoscopy was repeated at the end of the initial treatment course and revealed overall improvement, with a few small erosions remaining; medical treatment was continued for an additional 2 weeks. At last follow-up 9 months after treatment ended, the dog was clinically normal. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Capsule endoscopy was useful for initial detection and subsequent reevaluation of gastrointestinal lesions in this patient without a need for sedation or anesthesia. Information obtained in the follow-up evaluation was valuable in identifying a need to extend the duration of medical treatment.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27700263/