Diagnostics of colitis in dogs using additional methods of research

Digestive system pathologies make up a significant part of cases of internal non-communicable diseases in dogs, and colitis is not the least of them. The disease occurs in dogs of all breeds and ages. Colitis is accompanied by a decrease or complete lack of appetite, diarrhea, dehydration, fever, and flatulence and soreness in the intestines. The aim of this study was to show the relevance of using different instrumental and laboratory methods for diagnosing colitis in dogs. The study was carried out on dogs of various breeds and ages, which were subjected to general methods of examination, radiological and endoscopic, followed by examination of biopsies obtained using targeted biopsy. X-ray diagnostics of the intestines in dogs with colitis revealed deformation of the folds of the intestinal mucosa, as well as disturbances in peristalsis. Colonoscopy revealed changes in the mucous membrane of the colon: hyperemia, edema, reduction or complete absence of folding, changes in the vascular pattern, mucus, petechiae, superficial ulcers. The histology of biopsy specimens of the colon mucous membrane of dogs with colitis made it possible to determine the severity of inflammatory processes in the colon and to confirm the pathology found during endoscopic examination for an accurate diagnosis. In the course of the work, it was shown that the most informative method for diagnosing colitis is endoscopic examination with targeted biopsy and subsequent histological examination of the samples obtained.