Evaluation of gastric motility in nine dogs before and after prophylactic laparoscopic gastropexy: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a prophylactic laparoscopic gastropexy on gastric motility in healthy large-breed dogs. METHODS: This was a prospective pilot study with nine healthy client-owned dogs. Each dog was its own control. Gastric motility was evaluated before and after laparoscopic gastropexy. Dogs were fed a standard diet three weeks before and after surgery. Gastric motility was measured before and 3 weeks after surgery. A wireless motility capsule (WMC) was used to measure gastric pH, intragastric pressure, temperature, frequency of contractions, motility index (MI) and transit time. Non-parametric statistical analysis was used to compare the paired data. Clients were contacted for follow-up information 2 years postoperatively. RESULTS: Median frequency of gastric contractions was 1.3 (range, 0.6-1.9 contractions/min) before gastropexy and 1.0 (range, 0.3-2.6 contractions/min) after gastropexy (P = 0.820). Median MI was 49.2 (range, 23.7-96.6) before gastropexy and 28.1 (range, 12.2-148.9) after gastropexy (P = 0.652). Median gastric emptying time was 1140 (range, 486-1230 min) before gastropexy and 1110 (range, 306-2610 min) after gastropexy (P = 0.570). During the hour before the WMC passed through the pylorus, median MI was 72.2 (range, 48.2-549.3) before gastropexy and 52.9 (range, 15.20-322.8) after gastropexy (P = 0.734), and frequency of contractions was 1.1 (range, 0.9-4.1 contractions/min) before gastropexy and 1.2 (range, 0.5-3.0 contractions/min) after gastropexy (P = 0.652). CONCLUSION: Motility in the stomach did not change in healthy dogs after prophylactic laparoscopic gastropexy. We conclude that preventive laparoscopic gastropexy does not induce gastroparesis.

Minimally invasive wireless motility capsule to study canine gastrointestinal motility and pH.

The aim of this study was to describe the feasibility of using a gastrointestinal tract wireless motility capsule (WMC) that measured intraluminal pressure, pH and transit time through the gastrointestinal tract, in dogs in their home environment. Forty-four adult healthy dogs, eating a standard diet, were prospectively enrolled. The WMC was well tolerated by all dogs and provided data from the different sections of the gastrointestinal tract. Median gastric emptying time was 20h (range, 6.3-119h), demonstrating a large range. The gastric pressure pattern and pH depended on the phase of food consumption. The small bowel transit time was 3.1h (range, 1.6-5.4h) with average contraction pressures of 6.5mmHg (range, 1.1-21.4mmHg) and pH 7.8 (range, 7-8.9). The large bowel transit time was 21h (range, 1-69h) with average contractions pressures of 0.9mmHg (range, 0.3-2.7mmHg) and pH 6.4 (range, 5.3-8.2). There was considerable individual variation in motility patterns and transit times between dogs. No difference was observed between the sexes. No relationships between any transit time, bowel pH or pressure pattern and bodyweights were identified. The WMC likely represents movement of a large non-digestible particle rather than normal ingesta. Due to its large size, the WMC should not be use in smaller dogs. The WMC is a promising minimally invasive tool to assess GIT solid phase transit times, pressures and pH. However, further studies are necessary due to the current limitations observed.

Multiple gastric erosions diagnosed by means of capsule endoscopy in a dog.

CASE DESCRIPTION A 6-year-old spayed female Golden Retriever was evaluated for a 2-week history of progressive hyporexia, signs of abdominal pain, and weight loss. CLINICAL FINDINGS Physical examination findings included mild signs of pain on palpation of the cranial part of the abdomen and a body condition score of 4 (scale, 1 to 9). A CBC revealed mild microcytosis and hypochromasia; results of serum biochemical analysis were within the respective reference ranges, and abdominal ultrasonography revealed no abnormalities. Capsule endoscopy was performed, and numerous gastric erosions and hemorrhages were detected, with rare dilated lacteals in the proximal aspect of the small intestine. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME Treatment was initiated with omeprazole and sucralfate for 6 weeks, and the dog was transitioned to a novel protein diet. Capsule endoscopy was repeated at the end of the initial treatment course and revealed overall improvement, with a few small erosions remaining; medical treatment was continued for an additional 2 weeks. At last follow-up 9 months after treatment ended, the dog was clinically normal. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Capsule endoscopy was useful for initial detection and subsequent reevaluation of gastrointestinal lesions in this patient without a need for sedation or anesthesia. Information obtained in the follow-up evaluation was valuable in identifying a need to extend the duration of medical treatment.

The effect of macrogol administration on the quality of macroscopic images and transit time in canine capsule endoscopy.

The present experiment evaluated the quality of macroscopic images and the mean time of capsule passage through different sections of the gastrointestinal tract in dogs subjected to different preparation protocols before capsule endoscopy. In the first examination, the colonoscopy prepara- tion protocol was applied, and in the second examination, the animals were administered macrogol. The study revealed that macrogol administration before capsule endoscopy significantly improved the quality of macroscopic images. The colonoscopy preparation protocol may not support accurate visualization of the large bowel mucosa and, in selected patients, also the small bowel mucosa. Macrogol administration had no effect on capsule transit time through the alimentary canal. Capsules used in endoscopic evaluations of the small bowel in humans may have limited applications in macro- scopic examinations of large bowel mucosa in dogs.