title: Effects of oral 3% hydrogen peroxide used as an emetic on the gastroduodenal mucosa of healthy dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To characterize the extent of mucosal injury on the upper gastrointestinal tract following oral administration of 3% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to induce emesis in normal dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective clinical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Specialty referral hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven staff-owned, healthy, adult dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six dogs were assigned to the H2O2group and 1 dog was assigned as the apomorphine control. Dogs were anesthetized for gastroduodenoscopy with gross inspection and gastroduodenal biopsies at time 0 and 4 hours, 24 hours, 1 week, and 2 weeks following administration of oral 3% H2O2or subconjunctival apomorphine. Gross esophageal, gastric, and duodenal mucosal lesion scoring was performed by 2 blinded, experienced scorers. Biopsy samples were evaluated histologically by a veterinary pathologist.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Grade I esophagitis was noted in 2 dogs at 4 hours and in 1 dog at 2 weeks, while grade III esophagitis was observed in 1 dog 1 week following H2O2administration. At 4 hours, gastric mucosal lesions were visualized in all dogs, and lesions worsened by 24 hours. Mild to moderate duodenal mucosal lesions were visualized up to 24 hours after administration. Histopathology identified the most severe gastric lesions at 4 hours as hemorrhage; at 24 hours as degeneration, necrosis, and mucosal edema; and at 1 week as inflammation. By 2 weeks, most visual and histopathologic lesions were resolved. No histopathologic lesions were identified at any time point in the dog administered apomorphine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Significant visual and histopathologic gastric lesions occurred following administration of 3% H2O2in all dogs. Less severe visual duodenal lesions were identified. As compared to H2O2dogs, minimal gross gastroduodenal lesions and normal histopathology were identified in the apomorphine control.
authors.affiliation: South Texas Veterinary Specialists, San Antonio, TX, 78258.
authors.forename: Alicia H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Niedzwecki
authors.affiliation: South Texas Veterinary Specialists, San Antonio, TX, 78258.
authors.forename: Bradley P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Book
authors.affiliation: South Texas Veterinary Specialists, San Antonio, TX, 78258.
authors.forename: Kristin M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.affiliation: South Texas Veterinary Specialists, San Antonio, TX, 78258.
authors.forename: J Scot
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Estep
authors.affiliation: South Texas Veterinary Specialists, San Antonio, TX, 78258.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hagan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001058:Apomorphine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D001706:Biopsy; D004285:Dogs; D004639:Emetics / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D004639:Emetics; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D001058:Apomorphine
keywords: canine; decontamination; emesis; esophagitis; gastritis; toxicosis