Abstract:
The study "INVESTIGATIONS ON ETIO-PATHOLOGY OF
VOMITING IN DOGS" was conducted in 20 dogs to evaluate
ultrasonography and radiography as diagnostic tools in vomiting
dogs; to assess hydration status, electrolyte and acid-base balance
in vomiting dogs and to correlate clinico-pathologic findings with
radiographic and ultrasonographic changes. Various parameters
such as history, physical examination, hydration status,
ultrasonography, radiography-plain and contrast, haematology,
serum biochemistry, and wherever possible histopathology were
studied.
Most of the dogs under study had bile stained watery
vomitus but dogs with pyloric stenosis had frothy or watery white
vomitus. The frequency of vomiting in dogs with gastritis and
gastrointestinal (GI) obstruction was two to seven times per day, it
was variable in dogs with hepatic and renal disorders, but was
associated with food intake in dogs with pyloric stenosis.
Physical examination was found useful in dogs with GI
obstruction, while it was non-specific in dogs with gastritis and
renal disorders.
Capillary refill time (CRT) and degree of sunken eye
balls were helpful to assess dehydration. Estimation of volume of
packed red cells (VPRC) was found beneficial to assess dehydration
unless the dogs are anemic.
Ultrasonography could not identify any lesions in dogs
with gastritis, but was useful to detect GI obstructions due to
pyloric stenosis, intussusception and foreign body and to
characterise lesions in the parenchymal organs like liver and
kidney.
While plain radiographs could give indication to
possible non-radiopaque GI obstructions, contrast radiography was
required to confirm.
Radiography could not identify any lesions in dogs
with gastritis, hepatic and chronic intestitial nephritis.
Hypokalemia with metabolic alkalosis was the
significant electrolyte and acid-base derangement in dogs with
vomiting due to gastritis and GI obstructions.
