EFFECT OF METOCLOPRAMIDE ON FED-STATE GASTRIC MYOELECTRIC AND MOTOR-ACTIVITY IN DOGS

Objective--To investigate the effects of metoclopramide, a putative ga stroprokinetic agent, on dogs that had recovered from gastric dilatati on-volvulus (GDV), a disorder characterized by delayed and gastric emp tying. Animals--6 healthy dogs and 5 dogs after treatment and recovery from GDV. Procedure--Baseline recordings of gastric electrical and co ntractile activities were made 8 or 10 days after circumcostal gastrop exy and implantation of serosal electrodes and strain-gauge force tran sducers. Gastric activities were recorded again the next day after tre atment with the clinically recommended oral metoclopramide dose (0.3 m g/kg of body weight) administered a half hour before feeding. Recordin gs were analyzed to determine gastric slow-wave frequency, presence of slow-wave dysrhythmia, slow-wave propagation velocity, coupling of co ntractions to slow waves, a motility index based on relative contracti le amplitudes, and onset of contractions after a standardized meal. Re sults--Significant differences in gastric electrical or contractile ac tivities were not detected after metoclopramide treatment in dogs with GDV. Compared with control dogs after metoclopramide treatment, gastr ic slow-wave propagation velocity was significantly (P = 0.03) faster for the dogs with GDV at postprandial minute 90. Conclusion--At a clin ically recommended dosage, metoclopramide treatment did not change gas tric myoelectric and motor activities in a way that would promote incr eased gastric emptying in dogs with GDV. Clinical relevance--Metoclopr amide treatment may not benefit dogs with GDV and delayed gastric empt ying.