SUMMARY
The effect of the somatostatin analogue, octreotide, on gastric fluid pH was investigated in 4 ponies. Gastric fluid pH was determined after sc administration of octreotide or physiologic saline solution (control). A baseline sample of fluid was obtained, the agent was given, and 8 additional samples were collected hourly. Administration of octreotide at all dosages tested (0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 5.0 μg/kg of body weight) increased gastric pH to > 5.0. Baseline values were consistently < 2.7. Administration of octreotide at these same dosages induced gastric pH values > 4.0 for 2.4 ± 1.2, 4.8 ± 0.8, 5.7 ± 1.3, and 5.4 ± 2.6 (mean ± sd) continuous hours, respectively. Treatment at all dosages increased the pH of gastric fluid, compared with control values. The duration of the increase in pH was significantly (P < 0.05) different than that of the control treatment, even for the lowest dosage, 0.1 μg/kg.
