title: Gastrointestinal endoscopy in the cat: diagnostics and therapeutics.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Endoscopic examination of the feline gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a minimally invasive method for obtaining biopsy samples of the GI mucosa, which is often necessary for a diagnosis of chronic GI diseases. In addition endoscopy has several therapeutic indications including foreign body retrieval, oesophageal stricture dilation and placement of a percutaneous gastrostomy tube.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Initially, practitioners must learn the subtle manipulations necessary to efficiently guide the endoscope through the GI tract to obtain biopsy samples of high diagnostic quality, and develop skills for implementing interventional procedures (eg, foreign body removal). Another challenge in mastering GI endoscopy is the ability to recognise normal from abnormal, which requires many years of practice and experience. Endoscopy is a diagnostic and interventional procedure that should be performed only in conjunction with a thorough history, physical examination, appropriate laboratory evaluation, and radiographic and/or ultrasonographic imaging.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  This review is intended to familiarize both the general and referral practitioner with GI endoscopy as a minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic intervention for the feline patient.
  
  
  METHODS
  The guidance contained within this article is based on a combination of the published literature, the authors' personal experience and the experience of colleagues.
authors.affiliation: Small Animal Clinic, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Frankfurterstrasse 126, 35392 Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: Reto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Neiger
authors.forename: Elise
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: Christiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stengel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D002415:Cats; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*