Development of a technique for the in vivo assessment of flatulence in dogs

Objective-To develop a noninvasive method for the in vivo assessment of fla tulence in dogs. Animals-8 adult dogs. Procedure-Rectal gases were collected via a perforated tube held close to e ach dog's anus and attached to a monitoring pump fitted with a sensor that recorded hydrogen sulfide concentrations every 20 seconds. Patterns of flat ulence were monitored for 14 hours after feeding on 4 days, and within- and between-dog variation was assessed over 4 hours on 4 consecutive days. Rat e of hydrogen sulfide production (flatulence index) and frequency and numbe r of emissions were evaluated as potential indicators of flatus characteris tics. An odor judge assigned an odor rating to each flatulence episode, and the relationship between that rating and hydrogen sulfide concentration wa s determined. Results-Flatulence patterns varied within and between dogs. Variation was m ost pronounced for flatulence index; mean coefficients of variance within d ogs over lime and between dogs on each day were 75 and 103%, respectively F latus with hydrogen sulfide concentrations > 1 parts per million could be d etected by the odor judge, and severity of malodor was highly correlated wi th hydrogen sulfide concentration. Odor ratings were accurately predicted b y use of the equation 1.51 x hydrogen sulfide concentration(0.28). Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-The technique described in this report a ppears to provide sensitive, reliable, and relevant data and will enable fu rther studies of the factors that influence flatulence in dogs. Use of this technique also has the potential to aid in investigations of colonic physi ology and pathology.