Gastric perforation following endoscopic removal of a Bravo pH capsule in a cat.

A 7-year-old domestic shorthair cat was evaluated for hyporexia and weight loss following endoscopic placement of an intragastric pH monitoring device. Physical examination of the cat was unremarkable, and its blood work was notable for a mild hypoalbuminemia. The cat's acute hyporexia and weight loss was attributed to discomfort associated with the intragastric pH monitoring device, as has been reported in humans. Endoscopic removal of the intragastric pH monitoring device resulted in gastric perforation. The cat underwent exploratory laparotomy for surgical resection and repair of the perforated area. To our knowledge, this is the first report of gastric perforation secondary to removal of a Bravo pH capsule. Caution may be advised when considering intragastric pH capsule removal in cats.

The effect of omeprazole on oesophageal pH in dogs during anaesthesia.

OBJECTIVES: Intra-operative, gastro-oesophageal reflux may be associated with post-anaesthestic complications such as oesophagitis and oesophageal stricture in dogs. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of preoperative administration of omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, on oesophageal pH in anaesthetised dogs. METHODS: Forty-seven dogs undergoing elective pelvic limb orthopaedic surgery were enrolled into the study. These were randomly allocated to treatment group (n=22) or control group (n=25). The treatment group received one dose of omeprazole (1 mg/kg po) at least 4 h before anaesthesia. All dogs were anaesthetised by the same standardised protocol. A pH probe was inserted into the distal oesophagus after induction of anaesthesia and oesophageal pH was continuously monitored. RESULTS: In the treatment group, four animals (18 per cent) showed a sudden decrease in oesophageal pH (<4). In the control group the same phenomenon was detected in 13 animals (52 per cent). Gastro-oesophageal reflux occurred more frequently in the control group compared with the omeprazole group (odds ratio 4.7, 95 per cent C.I. 1.1 to 24.7, P=0.032). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This study suggests that the preoperative administration of omeprazole is effective in reducing the incidence of gastro-oesophageal reflux during anaesthesia in dogs.