Evaluation of metoclopramide hydrochloride as an aid for passage of a flexible endoscope into the duodenum of dogs

• Published in: American journal of veterinary research Vol. 53; no. 1; p. 149
• Main Authors: Monroe, W E, Leib, M S, Matz, M E, Davenport, D J, Nelson, L P, Kenny, J E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-01-1992
• Subjects: Animals; Dogs - physiology; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Duodenoscopy - veterinary; Metoclopramide - pharmacology; Pylorus - drug effects; Random Allocation; Single-Blind Method; Sodium Chloride - pharmacology
• ISSN: 0002-9645
• DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.1992.53.01.149

The purposes of this study were to evaluate the efficacy of metoclopramide to aid passage of a flexible endoscope into the duodenum of dogs, and to determine whether the effect of metoclopramide is dependent on dose. In a randomized, blinded, complete-block design, 6 healthy dogs were anesthetized, then each was given saline solution or 1 of 4 doses of metoclopramide on different days. The ease of passage of a flexible, fiberoptic gastroscope through the pylorus was assessed independently by 3 endoscopists. Administration of metoclopramide hydrochloride at a dosage of 0.4 mg/kg of body weight, iv, made passage of a flexible endoscope into the duodenum significantly (P = 0.009) more difficult than when saline solution was administered; however, dosages of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.8 mg of metoclopramide/kg did not (P = 0.489, 0.842, and 0.092 respectively). It was concluded that metoclopramide did not facilitate, and at one dosage hindered, successful passage of a flexible endoscope into the duodenum of healthy dogs under the conditions of the study. Metoclopramide, therefore, cannot be recommended as an aid for passage of a flexible endoscope into the duodenum of dogs.