Effect of metoclopramide on fed-state gastric myoelectric and motor activity in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of metoclopramide, a putative gastroprokinetic agent, on dogs that had recovered from gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), a disorder characterized by delayed gastric emptying.


METHODS
6 healthy dogs and 5 dogs after treatment and recovery from GDV.


METHODS
Baseline recordings of gastric electrical and contractile activities were made 8 or 10 days after circumcostal gastropexy and implantation of serosal electrodes and strain-gauge force transducers. Gastric activities were recorded again the next day after treatment with the clinically recommended oral metoclopramide dose (0.3 mg/kg of body weight) administered a half hour before feeding. Recordings were analyzed to determine gastric slow-wave frequency, presence of slow-wave dysrhythmia, slow-wave propagation velocity, coupling of contractions to slow waves, a motility index based on relative contractile amplitudes, and onset of contractions after a standardized meal.


RESULTS
Significant differences in gastric electrical or contractile activities were not detected after metoclopramide treatment in dogs with GDV. Compared with control dogs after metoclopramide treatment, gastric slow-wave propagation velocity was significantly (P = 0.03) faster for the dogs with GDV at postprandial minute 90.


CONCLUSIONS
At a clinically recommended dosage, metoclopramide treatment did not change gastric myoelectric and motor activities in a way that would promote increased gastric emptying in dogs with GDV.


CONCLUSIONS
Metoclopramide treatment may not benefit dogs with GDV and delayed gastric emptying.
Department of Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523, USA.
J A
JA
Hall
T N
TN
Solie
H B
HB
Seim
D C
DC
Twedt
D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D004285:Dogs / Q000502:physiology*; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000187:drug effects; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008787:Metoclopramide / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013270:Stomach / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D008787:Metoclopramide