Comparison of the carbon 13-labeled octanoic acid breath test and ultrasonography for assessment of gastric emptying of a semisolid meal in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the rate of gastric emptying of a semisolid meal by use of the carbon 13-labeled octanoic acid breath test (13C-OBT) and gastric emptying ultrasonography (GEU) in dogs.


METHODS
10 healthy dogs.


METHODS
Food was withheld from dogs for 12 hours before ingestion of a test meal (bread, egg, and skimmed milk) containing 13C-octanoic acid. The gastric antrum was visualized by use of a 6.5-MHz microconvex transducer, and the area of the ellipse defined by the craniocaudal and ventrodorsal diameters of the stomach was measured. Samples of expired air and antral images were obtained 30 minutes before ingestion of the test meal and then every 15 minutes for 4 hours and every 30 minutes for a further 2 hours. The half-dose recovery time with the 13C-OBT (t1/2[BT]) and the gastric half emtying time with GEU (t50%[GEU]) was calculated.


RESULTS
Mean +/- SD values for the t1/2(BT) and t50%(GEU) were 3.44 +/- 0.48 hours and 1.89 +/- 0.78 hours, respectively. A significant correlation was detected between the t1/2(BT) and t50%(GEU), although there was a large (1.55 hours) mean difference between these indices.


CONCLUSIONS
Results indicated that there was a correlation between the rate of solid-phase gastric emptying assessed by use of GEU and the 13C-OBT in dogs. Gastric emptying ultrasonography may be a useful, noninvasive method for assessment of the rate of solid-phase gastric emptying in dogs.
McLellan
Jonathan
J
Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Institute of Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow Veterinary School, Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK.
Wyse
Cathy A
CA
Dickie
Alison
A
Preston
Tom
T
Yam
Philippa S
PS
D000818:Animals; D001944:Breath Tests; D002210:Caprylates / Q000378:metabolism*; D002247:Carbon Isotopes / Q000378:metabolism; D004285:Dogs / Q000502:physiology*; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000502:physiology*; D013270:Stomach / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography
D002210:Caprylates; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; C031492:octanoic acid