Assessment of bowel preparation quality in dogs undergoing colonoscopy using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale

To evaluate the efficacy of a bowel preparation protocol consisting of at-home administration of clear broth and polyethylene glycol 3350 followed by colonic flushing immediately before colonoscopy in dogs.

In this single-referral-center retrospective study, dogs with complete video documentation of the colon were included. Colonic cleanliness was assessed using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS), which scores the 3 colonic segments individually (total score range, 0 to 9 with higher scores indicating better preparation quality). Adequate preparation was defined as a total BBPS score ≥ 6 with no individual segment score < 2.

Video footage from 49 colonoscopies performed in 47 dogs was assessed by a single examiner. Adequate colonic preparation was achieved in 41 of 49 (84%) colonoscopies. Median total BBPS score was 7 (range, 4 to 9), with median segment scores of 3, 2, and 2 for descending, transverse, and ascending colon, respectively. The ascending colon had significantly lower scores than the descending colon. In 57% of procedures, the indication for colonoscopy was evaluation of chronic enteropathy (combined upper and lower intestinal endoscopy) without specific suspicion of colonic disease.

High-quality bowel preparation for colonoscopy can be achieved without complex or logistically demanding protocols. A straightforward, owner-friendly, at-home preparation regimen provided diagnostic-quality colonic visualization in dogs.

These findings may facilitate broader clinical use of colonoscopy in dogs by supporting practical bowel preparation protocols that are feasible for owners and sufficient for diagnostic evaluation, particularly when complete colonic cleanliness is not essential for the intended diagnostic objective.