Prevalence and diagnostic methods of surgical pathology in the digestive system of animals

Abstract

The relevance of the study is driven by the rapid increase in the number of small domestic animals with surgical pathology of the digestive system, requiring effective diagnosis and surgical intervention. In this regard, the purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of various diseases of the digestive organs in small domestic animals and to determine the most informative methods of their diagnosis. The primary approach in the study is to compare the informativeness of results obtained from examining sick animals, including general (history collection, examination, palpation) and special (ultrasound diagnostics of abdominal organs, endoscopy of the digestive tract, radiography) diagnostic methods. The advantages and disadvantages of different special diagnostic methods were identified and analysed, providing a comprehensive assessment of indications and contraindications for their application in clinical veterinary practice. Out of 1863 animals that presented to the veterinary clinic, pathologies of the digestive tract of various origins were diagnosed in 957 animals. Conservative care was provided to 79.7% of the affected animals (763 individuals). Complicated pathologies requiring surgical treatment were diagnosed in 194 (20.3%) animals. Among these, 170 (17.7%) had foreign bodies in the stomach, 14 (1.5%) had gastric erosions, 4 (0.4%) had neoplasms, 3 (0.3%) had perforations, and 3 (0.3%) had inflammatory diseases. The use of ultrasound diagnostics allowed for the detection of linear foreign bodies in the stomach and the identification of associated complications such as stomach or intestinal perforations caused by foreign bodies. Radiographic examination proved effective when radiopaque structures (metals, stones, bones) were present as foreign bodies. The materials of the study provide practical value for both researchers and practising veterinarians, offering the opportunity to utilise new instrumental diagnostic methods to assess the feasibility of surgical manipulations on the stomach and intestines in dogs and cats