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. 2023 Mar;37(2):428-436.
doi: 10.1111/jvim.16677. Epub 2023 Mar 3.

Gastrointestinal angiodysplasias diagnosed using video capsule endoscopy in 15 dogs

Alice Defarges  1 , Jenny Stiller  2 , Jeffrey A Solomon  3
Affiliations

Gastrointestinal angiodysplasias diagnosed using video capsule endoscopy in 15 dogs

Alice Defarges et al. J Vet Intern Med. 2023 Mar.

Abstract

Background: Angiodysplasia (AGD) is rarely diagnosed in dogs with gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) and is reported in case reports in dogs.

Objective: Describe signalment, clinical and diagnostic features of dogs with gastrointestinal (GI) AGD diagnosed by video capsule endoscopy (VCE).

Animals: Dogs with overt or suspected GIB which underwent VCE.

Methods: Dogs for which a VCE was submitted for overt or suspected GIB from 2016 to 2021 were selected retrospectively. Medical records and full-length VCE recordings where AGDs were initially detected, were reviewed by 2 trained internists. AGD was considered definitive if 2 readers detected it. Signalment, clinical signs, blood work, medications, concurrent diseases, findings of previous conventional endoscopy, and surgical exploration (if applicable) of dogs with AGD were recorded.

Results: Definitive AGD was diagnosed in 15 of 291 (5%) dogs (12 males, 3 females). Twelve (80%) had overt GIB, 11 (73%) had hematochezia, and 6 (40%) had microcytic and hypochromic anemia. AGD was missed by conventional endoscopy in 9/9 dogs and exploratory surgery in 3/3 dogs. Thirteen capsules were administered by mouth (1 incomplete study), and 2 via endoscopy directly into the duodenum. AGD was visualized in the stomach of 3 dogs, in the small intestine of 4, and in the colon of 13 dogs.

Conclusion and clinical importance: Although rare, AGD should be considered in dogs with suspected GIB after a negative conventional endoscopy or surgical exporation. Video capsuel endoscopy appears to be a sensitive test to identify AGD within the GI tract.

Keywords: anemia; gastrointestinal bleeding; hematochezia; hemolytic anemia; melena; microcytosis; occult; overt.

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Conflict of interest statement

Dr. Alice Defarges has been a consultant for Infiniti Medical since March 2020; Dr. Jeff Solomon is affiliated with Infiniti Medical, LLC, Palo Alto, California; Dr. Jenny Stiller has been a consultant with Infiniti Medical since January 2022. The other author declares no conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Recorded VCE frame showing a panoramic view of gastric mucosa of a 11‐year‐old male castrated Miniature Schnauzer (9 kg) showing abnormal vessels (vascular ectasia) in the stomach.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Recorded VCE frame showing a panoramic view of duodenal mucosa of a 11‐year‐old male castrated Miniature Schnauzer (9 kg) showing abnormal vessels (vascular ectasia) in the duodenum (same dog as Figure 1).
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Recorded VCE frame showing a panoramic view of the ileal mucosa of a 10‐year‐old female spayed Terrier Mix (10 kg) showing abnormal vessels (vascular ectasia) in the ileum.
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Recorded VCE frame showing a panoramic view of the colonic mucosa of a 11‐year‐old male castrated Mini Schnauzer (9 kg) showing abnormal vessels (vascular ectasia) in the colon (same dog as Figures 1 and 2).
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5
Recorded VCE frame showing a panoramic view of colonic mucosa of a 11‐year‐old male castrated Golden Retriever (33 kg) showing abnormal vessels (vascular ectasia) in the colon and substantial bleeding.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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