The prevalence of subclinical gastroduodenal ulceration in dachshunds with intervertebral disc prolapse

by Dowdle, Sara-Anne Margaret.

Endoscopy was used to determine the prevalence of subclinical gastroduodenal ulceration in 30 Dachshunds undergoing decompressive surgery for acute intervertebral disc prolapse. The endoscopy was performed on the day of admission and on the third or fourth day after surgery. Three regions of the stomach (cardia, corpus and pyloris) and the proximal duodenum were visually inspected and biopsy samples were sent for histopathology. The combination of visual and microscopic changes present, were then used to determine the prevalence of gastroduodenal ulceration in this population. An overall prevalence of 76% was calculated from these findings. Ulcerogenic medication administered prior to admission, did not appear to influence the prevalence. The results show that veterinarians need to be aware of gastroduodenal ulceration and that the use of prophylactic anti-ulcer medication in spinal surgery patients is warranted. Director of studies: Dr K. E. Joubert University of Pretoria etd – Dowdle, S M (2005) 4