Abstract
Endoscopy was used to determine the prevalence of subclinical gastroduodenal ulceration in 30 Dachshunds undergoing decompressive surgery for acute intervertebral disc prolapse. The endoscopy was performed on the day of admission and on the 3rd or 4th day after surgery. Three regions of the stomach (cardia, corpus and pylorus) and the proximal duodenum were visually inspected and biopsy samples were taken for histopathology. The combination of visual and microscopic changes were then used to determine the prevalence of subclinical gastroduodenal ulceration in this population. An overall prevalence of 76% was calculated from these findings. Ulcerogenic medication administered prior to admission did not appear to influence the prevalence. This result identifies a need for veterinarians to be aware of this potentially severe complication and warrants the use of prophylactic anti-ulcer medication in spinal surgery patients.
Highlights
Intervertebral disc prolapse (IVDP) is the most common neurological condition seen in the dog, in the chondrodystrophic breeds . 3,11,13,14,16,21,25,27 In human medicine, the correlation between spinal cord injury and gastroduodenal ulceration (GDU), as well as the tendency to misdiagnose the latter, has been recognised for many years[15,23]
No dogs were excluded from this study, but 1 dog did not receive a post-operative endoscopic examination as it was an undue anaesthetic risk
Six dogs had suffered a previous incident of IVDP
Summary
Intervertebral disc prolapse (IVDP) is the most common neurological condition seen in the dog, in the chondrodystrophic breeds . 3,11,13,14,16,21,25,27 In human medicine, the correlation between spinal cord injury and gastroduodenal ulceration (GDU), as well as the tendency to misdiagnose the latter, has been recognised for many years[15,23]. Intervertebral disc prolapse (IVDP) is the most common neurological condition seen in the dog, in the chondrodystrophic breeds . Gastric erosions are defined as superficial mucosal defects that do not penetrate the lamina muscularis mucosae, while gastric ulcers penetrate this layer and may even perforate it. Less severe lesions that occur in the early development of an ulcer manifest as inflammation of the mucosa, causing hyperaemia and submucosal haemorrhages. Gastroduodenal ulceration is reported to frequently accompany IVDP in the aDepartment of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, 0110 South Africa. BEquine Research Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, 0110 South Africa. A 2 % mortality rate has been surmised in cases of IVDP associated with gastrointestinal complications[19]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Journal of the South African Veterinary Association
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
