Macroscopic and histopathological examination of the gastric mucosa in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treated with mesalazine.

The objective of this study was to carry out a macroscopic and histopathological examination of the gastric mucosa in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease and to evaluate the effect of mesalazine therapy on histopathological changes in the gastric mucosa. The treatment was performed on 18 dogs with histopathologically confirmed inflammation of the duodenum and the jejunum. The animals were administered mesalazine at 12.5 mg/kg b.w. bid over a six-week period. The dogs investigated were diagnosed with chronic catarrhal gastritis with intense lymphocytic/plasmocytic infiltration. In 83% of the dogs, intestinal metaplasia had been noted in bioptates before examination. The results of macroscopic and microscopic examinations revealed that the applied treatment had a positive effect on gastric mucosal morphology. Cellular infiltration of the gastric mucosa was significantly inhibited, most probably, due to the anti-inflammatory effect of mesalazine.