Efficacy of famotidine for the prevention of exercise-induced gastritis in racing Alaskan sled dogs.
BACKGROUND
Omeprazole reduces the severity of exercise-induced gastritis but not the prevalence of gastric lesions in sled dogs. The frequent feeding of sled dogs during competition likely results in decreased absorption of omeprazole and, thereby, decreased efficacy.


OBJECTIVE
Famotidine, a histamine-2 blocker with good bioavailability in the presence of food, would reduce the incidence and severity of exercise-induced gastric disease in sled dogs.


METHODS
Sixteen fit Alaskan sled dogs (4 female, 12 male, all intact, age 2-6 years).


METHODS
Dogs were randomly assigned to treatment (22 mg famotidine PO q24h) or control groups (n = 8 per group). Famotidine was administered with a meal to the treatment group once daily for 7 days before a challenge and once during exercise. Control dogs were fed an identical diet as the principal group. The 16 dog team completed a 100-mile exercise challenge in 18 hours. A gastroscopy was performed 24 hours after the challenge. The appearance of the mucosa was scored by an individual by using a scoring system.


RESULTS
Treatment with famotidine significantly reduced the severity score compared with control (P = .0004). No adverse effects of treatment were reported.


CONCLUSIONS
Famotidine is effective in reducing the severity of exercise-induced gastric disease in racing Alaskan sled dogs, with minimal to no adverse effects, and may be recommended for prophylactic use in short distance races.
Williamson
Katherine K
KK
Departments of Physiological Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA.
Willard
Michael D
MD
McKenzie
Erica C
EC
Royer
Christopher M
CM
Payton
Mark E
ME
Davis
Michael S
MS
D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004285:Dogs; D015738:Famotidine / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005756:Gastritis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D005773:Gastroscopy / Q000662:veterinary; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010865:Pilot Projects
D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D015738:Famotidine