Dogs Scheduled to be Neutered
General anesthesia effects on cageside ultrasound-assessed gastric motility parameters in healthy dogs
Purpose of Study
The purpose of this research is to demonstrate that a cageside ultrasound unit is a reliable diagnostic tool to assess stomach movements when patients are laying on their side, and that it will detect any decrease in stomach movements after anesthesia.
Benefits
Dogs enrolled in this study will receive free deworming medication, a physical examination, specific bloodwork screening, and costs associated with the cageside ultrasound testing: sedation, placement and food for a nasogastric tube (NG tube) and x-rays (approx. value $295-400). In addition, upon completion of the study, owners will receive a $100 credit towards their dog’s bill.
Enrollment Requirements
This study is recruiting healthy, friendly, male dogs weighing 11-44 pounds and with a body condition score of less than 7/9. To be considered for this study dogs must be scheduled for a neuter with the WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital (WSU VTH) Community Practice Service. Dogs enrolled in this study must have normal blood work (provided by study screening) and be comfortable lying on their side for a few minutes at a time.
Treatment Methods
Dogs who appear to be eligible for this study will be given a dewormer 1 week before their scheduled neuter. On the morning of the neuter, each dog will receive a thorough physical exam and blood testing to ensure that they are healthy. After successfully passing the screening, dogs will be sedated to facilitate the placement of an intravenous catheter and an NG tube. An NG tube is a tube that goes from the nose to the stomach. NG tube placement will be confirmed with chest x-rays. Once awake we will make sure the dog’s stomach is empty and measure baseline stomach movements using the cageside ultrasound unit. We will then administer food through the NG tube and measure stomach movements again. Once these measurements are taken, we will aspirate the tube to remove food from stomach and dogs will be anesthetized and neutered according to standard-of-care protocols. After surgery, stomach movements will be measured with cageside ultrasound at specific timepoints and then the NG tube will be removed. Dogs will remain hospitalized overnight and then discharged to their owners the next morning. Once discharged, each dog’s study participation will be complete.
Owner Responsibilities
Dogs who appear to be eligible for this study will be given a dewormer 1 week before their scheduled neuter. On the morning of the neuter, each dog will receive a thorough physical exam and blood testing to ensure that they are healthy. After successfully passing the screening, dogs will be sedated to facilitate the placement of an intravenous catheter and an NG tube. An NG tube is a tube that goes from the nose to the stomach. NG tube placement will be confirmed with chest x-rays. Once awake we will make sure the dog’s stomach is empty and measure baseline stomach movements using the cageside ultrasound unit. We will then administer food through the NG tube and measure stomach movements again. Once these measurements are taken, we will aspirate the tube to remove food from stomach and dogs will be anesthetized and neutered according to standard-of-care protocols. After surgery, stomach movements will be measured with cageside ultrasound at specific timepoints and then the NG tube will be removed. Dogs will remain hospitalized overnight and then discharged to their owners the next morning. Once discharged, each dog’s study participation will be complete.
Contact Information
Valorie Wiss
Clinical Studies Coordinator