The effect of the stage of the ovarian cycle (anoestrus or dioestrus) and of pregnancy on the incidence of gastro‐oesophageal reflux in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy. (28th October 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Anagnostou, Tilemahos L; Savvas, Ioannis; Kazakos, George M; Ververidis, Haralabos N; Psalla, Dimitra; Kostakis, Charalampos; Skepastianos, Petros; Raptopoulos, Dimitris
• Is Part Of: Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. Volume 42:Number 5(2015:Sep.)
• Page Start: 502
• Page End: 511
• Publication Date: 2014-10-28
• Subjects: Veterinary anesthesia -- Periodicals; 636.089
• DOI: 10.1111/vaa.12234
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1467-2987

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="vaa12234-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="vaa12234-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>To investigate the potential association of increased blood progesterone (P<sub>4</sub>) concentrations and/or late pregnancy with the incidence of gastro‐oesophageal reflux (GOR), in healthy bitches undergoing ovariohysterectomy under general anaesthesia during anoestrus or dioestrus or during the second half of pregnancy.</p> </sec> <sec id="vaa12234-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Study design</title> <p>Prospective observational study.</p> </sec> <sec id="vaa12234-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Animals</title> <p>Ninety‐four healthy, female, dogs, aged 1–8 years presented for elective ovariohysterectomy.</p> </sec> <sec id="vaa12234-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Non‐pregnant animals were classified into group A (anoestrus) (<italic>n</italic> = 35) if blood P<sub>4</sub> concentration was sufficiently low or group D (dioestrus) (<italic>n</italic> = 26) if blood P<sub>4</sub> concentration was sufficiently high. All animals in the second half of pregnancy were classified into group P (<italic>n</italic> = 33). Acepromazine (0.05 mg kg<sup>−1</sup>) was administered intramuscularly as preanaesthetic medication, and sodium thiopental (10 mg kg<sup>−1</sup>, with additional doses if needed) was administered intravenously (IV) for induction of anaesthesia. After endotracheal intubation, halothane (1.1–1.3% end‐tidal concentration) in oxygen was used for maintenance of anaesthesia. Lower oesophageal pH was monitored continuously throughout surgery using a pH‐measuring probe. Reflux was considered to have occurred whenever pH values of >7.5 (alkaline reflux) or <4 (acid reflux) were recorded. On completion of surgery, carprofen (4 mg kg<sup>−1</sup>) was administered IV. Further administration of analgesics post‐operatively was dictated by visual analogue scale pain scoring.</p> </sec> <sec id="vaa12234-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Result</title> <p>Acid GOR was observed in five of 26 dogs in group D, six of 35 group A, and 12 of 33 group P (<italic>p </italic>= 0.152). The incidence of GOR in group P approached statistical significance and was higher than the incidence in the combined group A + D (one sided <italic>p </italic>= 0.044, two sided <italic>p </italic>= 0.077).</p> </sec> <sec id="vaa12234-sec-0006" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>In dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy, GOR during anaesthesia occurs with a high incidence in dogs in the second half of pregnancy compared to non‐pregnant animals during anoestrus or dioestrus.</p> </sec> <sec id="vaa12234-sec-0007" sec-type="section"> <title>Clinical relevance</title> <p>Measures could be taken in such cases to avoid the consequences of potential reflux.</p> </sec> </abstract>