Gastric hemorrhage in dogs given high doses of methylprednisolone sodium succinate

Objective-To determine whether healthy dogs given high doses of methylpredn isolone sodium succinate (MPSS) develop gastrointestinal tract ulcers and h emorrhage. Animals-19 healthy male hound-type dogs. Procedure-Dogs were assigned randomly to intravenously receive high doses o f MPSS (30 mg/kg of body weight, initially, then 15 mg/kg 2 and 6 hours lat er, and, subsequently, every 6 hours for a total of 48 hours; n = 10) or an equal volume of saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (9). Gastroduodenoscopy was pe rformed before and after treatment. Endoscopic evidence of gross hemorrhage in the cardia, fundus, antrum, and duodenum of each dog was graded from no ne (0) to severe (3), and a total stomach score was calculated as the sum o f the regional gastric scores. Number of ulcers were recorded. The pH of ga stric fluid and evidence of occult gastric and fecal blood were measured. F ood retention was recorded. Results-Gastric hemorrhage was evident in all dogs after MPSS administratio n and was severe in 9 of 10 dogs but not visible in any dog after saline tr eatment. Occult gastric blood was detected more commonly (9/10 vs 2/9). med ian gastric acidity was greater (pH 1 vs pH 3), and food was retained more commonly (7/10 vs 1/9) in the stomach of MPSS-treated dogs. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-High doses of MPSS cause gastric hemorrh age in dogs. All dogs treated with high doses of MPSS should be treated wit h mucosal protectants or antacids to prevent gastric hemorrhage.