Characterisation of gastroesophageal reflux using prolonged oesophageal pH monitoring in hospitalised, healthy dogs without overt gastrointestinal disease

Nash, Tesheena Rose (2021) Characterisation of gastroesophageal reflux using prolonged oesophageal pH monitoring in hospitalised, healthy dogs without overt gastrointestinal disease. Masters by Research thesis, Murdoch University.

Abstract

Objective: To characterise acidic gastroesophageal reflux (GER) events using continuous oesophageal pH monitoring in dogs with no history of gastrointestinal disease following total intravenous anaesthesia in a hospital setting, and explore putative subject factors associated with GER.

Study Design: Prospective case series.

Animals: Client-owned dogs presenting for elective orthopaedic surgery.

Methods: Dogs were sedated with intravenous methadone and medetomidine, followed by intravenous alfaxalone. The Digitrapper oesophageal dual pH monitoring probe was placed trans-nasally with the caudal-most extent in the distal oesophagus. The probe remained in place for 16-24 hours with the dog unsedated. A GER event was recorded when the oesophageal pH <4. Parameters reported included total number of GER events, number of GER events per hour, percentage duration of oesophageal exposure to acid (pH <4) and duration of single GER events.

Results: Seventeen dogs were included, with a median age of 7 (range 1-12 years) and a median body weight of 24 kilograms (range 5.3-44 kg). The Digitrapper was well tolerated during a median data recording duration of 20.2 hours (range 15.7-24.1 hr). The median total number of proximal and distal GER events was 0 and 7, respectively. The longest distal GER event recorded was 12.7 minutes. The median number of distal GER events per hour was 0.3 and the median duration of distal oesophageal acid exposure was 0.4%. One dog recorded GER within one hour of eating. Regurgitation with oral expulsion was not recorded in any dog. Dogs older (>5 years), female and of ideal body condition tended to record higher GER events per hour and longer oesophageal acid exposure. Estimated upper reference limits for number of distal GER events per hour was 0.66 and duration of distal oesophageal acid exposure was 0.6%.

Conclusion: Brief, infrequent episodes of GER and transient oesophageal acid exposure are expected in dogs without gastrointestinal disease following general anaesthesia under hospital conditions.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters by Research)
Murdoch Affiliation(s):	Veterinary Medicine
Notes:	Accelerated Research Masters with Training
Supervisor(s):	Hosgood, Giselle and Appelgrein, Carla
URI:	http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/64969

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