SUMMARY
Objective
To determine the incidence of gastrointestinal (GI) tract bleeding in dogs undergoing spinal surgery with adjunct corticosteroid treatment, and to determine the protective efficacy of cimetidine, sucralfate, and misoprostol against such bleeding in these dogs.
Animals
40 dogs that underwent spinal surgery.
Procedures
Myelography and surgery were performed on the first or second day of hospitalization. Methylprednisolone sodium succinate was given at a dosage of 30 mg/kg of body weight prior to myelography, followed by a second full or half dose 2 to 4 hours later at clinician discretion. Spinal surgery was performed in conventional manner, postoperative administration of analgesics was done, and dogs were fed a diet lacking red meat. Dogs were assigned at random to 1 of the 3 treatment groups or to the control group. Dogs of the treatment groups received cimetidine, sucralfate, or misoprostol. Physical examination and determination of PCV and serum total protein values were performed daily. A fecal sample was examined daily for gross and occult blood.
Results
36 of 40 dogs had GI tract bleeding during a hospitalization period of 3 to 6 days. There was no significant difference in development of bleeding between the control group and any of the treatment groups.
Conclusions
Gastrointestinal tract bleeding occurred in 90% of dogs undergoing spinal surgery combined with administration of methylprednisilone sodium succinate, a higher rate than that found in previous studies. This bleeding was not life-threatening. Prophylactic benefit from any of the GI protectants tested was not found. (Am J Vet Res 1997;58:1320–1323)
