Swallow a Camera: Capsule Endoscopy Quickly Diagnoses Vomiting in Dogs—No Anesthesia Needed

A Study on the Diagnostic Approach Using Real-Time Video Capsule Endoscopy in Dogs with Acute Vomiting

Hyomi Jang, Young Joo Kim, Dong-In Jung

Background:
Acute vomiting in dogs is a common clinical problem with varied causes, and traditional diagnostics like radiographs and ultrasound may be limited in sensitivity. Real-time video capsule endoscopy (RT-VCE) offers a non-invasive, anesthesia-free alternative that allows real-time visualization of the gastrointestinal mucosa. This study evaluated the diagnostic utility, accuracy, and safety of RT-VCE in identifying gastric lesions in dogs presenting with acute vomiting.

Methods:
Eleven client-owned dogs with acute vomiting underwent RT-VCE using the MiroCam® MC1200 system after administration of maropitant citrate. Capsule images were interpreted in real time by two clinicians, who assessed image quality and used findings to make clinical decisions. Dogs were followed for diagnostic outcomes and treatment approaches. The time to diagnosis and inter-clinician agreement were also recorded.

Results:
RT-VCE was successfully completed in all dogs, with a mean diagnostic time of 21.8 minutes (range: 1–48 min). Diagnoses included gastric foreign bodies (n=5), gastritis (n=5), and gastric ulceration/erosion (n=1). All foreign body cases underwent surgical removal. Medical management was effective in the remaining dogs. There was complete agreement between clinicians in all cases, and no adverse effects from capsule administration were observed. Abdominal radiography and ultrasound were inconclusive or non-diagnostic in most cases, highlighting RT-VCE’s superior sensitivity.

Limitations:
This case series was limited by small sample size and lack of comparison with conventional endoscopy or systematic ultrasonography. The study did not include follow-up to assess long-term outcomes, and not all dogs received full diagnostic workups beyond RT-VCE.

Conclusions:
RT-VCE is a rapid, safe, and effective tool for diagnosing both surgical and nonsurgical causes of acute vomiting in dogs. It enables real-time decision-making without the need for anesthesia or sedation and may be especially valuable in emergency settings. Its high tolerability and diagnostic agreement between clinicians suggest broad utility for future use in veterinary medicine.

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