Efficacy of misoprostol in prevention of gastric hemorrhage in dogs treated with high doses of methylprednisolone sodium succinate.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether administration of misoprostol prevents gastric hemorrhage in healthy dogs treated with high doses of methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS).


METHODS
18 healthy hound-type dogs of both sexes.


METHODS
All dogs were given high doses of MPSS (30 mg/kg of body weight, initially, then 15 mg/kg 2 and 6 hours later, and, subsequently, q 6 h for a total of 48 hours) IV. Dogs were assigned randomly to receive concurrent treatment with misoprostol (4 to 6 microg/kg, PO, q 8 h; n = 9) or an empty gelatin capsule (9). Gastroduodenoscopy was performed before and after treatment. Hemorrhage was graded from none (0) to severe (3) for each cardia, fundus, antrum, and duodenum. A total stomach score was calculated as the sum of the regional stomach scores. Food retention was recorded, and pH of gastric fluid was determined. Gastric and fecal occult blood was measured.


RESULTS
Gastric hemorrhage was evident in all dogs after MPSS administration, and its severity was similar in both groups. Median total stomach score was 6 for misoprostol-treated dogs and 5.5 for dogs given the gelatin capsule. Difference in gastric acidity, frequency of food retention, and incidence of occult blood in gastric fluid and feces was not apparent between the 2 groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Administration of misoprostol (4 to 6 microg/kg, PO, q 8 h) does not prevent gastric hemorrhage caused by high doses of MPSS. Alternative prophylactic treatment should be considered.
Rohrer
C R
CR
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610-0126, USA.
Hill
R C
RC
Fischer
A
A
Fox
L E
LE
Schaer
M
M
Ginn
P E
PE
Preast
V A
VA
Burrows
C F
CF
D000818:Animals; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001706:Biopsy / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004285:Dogs; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D005750:Gastric Juice; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D008776:Methylprednisolone Hemisuccinate / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009780:Occult Blood; D011708:Pylorus / Q000473:pathology; D011897:Random Allocation
D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D016595:Misoprostol; D008776:Methylprednisolone Hemisuccinate