Suitability of the cranial portion of the vagina as a site for measurement of intra-abdominal pressure variations in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the cranial portion of the vagina of dogs is a suitable site for measuring intra-abdominal pressure during cystometry.


METHODS
16 bitches (8 sexually intact and 8 spayed).


METHODS
2 types of vaginal catheters were used to measure intra-abdominal pressure changes in anesthetized dogs. Catheters were inserted in the rectum and cranial portion of the vagina.


RESULTS
Intra-abdominal pressure variations were detected with greater magnitude in the rectum than the cranial portion of the vagina, regardless of type of catheter used and reproductive status (sexually intact vs spayed) of the dogs.


CONCLUSIONS
The rectum was the better site for measuring intra-abdominal pressure changes in female dogs. Measurement of intra-abdominal pressure with concomitant measurement of intravesical pressure to determine detrusor pressure during cystometry in female dogs is more reliably detected from the rectum than the cranial portion of the vagina.
Gregory
S P
SP
Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, Herts, UK.
Holt
P E
PE
Parkinson
T J
TJ
Wathes
C M
CM
D000005:Abdomen / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D011312:Pressure; D012007:Rectum / Q000502:physiology; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000502:physiology*; D014621:Vagina / Q000502:physiology*