Clinical applications and limitations of gastrointestinal endoscopy in veterinary medicine

Gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy is a minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedure increasingly employed in veterinary medicine to assess digestive disorders in dogs and cats. It provides direct visualization of the upper and lower GI mucosa, enabling the identification of intraluminal lesions, the collection of biopsy samples, and performance of targeted therapeutic interventions. Despite its effectiveness, endoscopy has notable limitations, particularly in detecting submucosal and functional disorders. This article aims to evaluate the appropriate use of GI endoscopy, its advantages and limitations, and potential complications associated with the procedure.