The physiological effects of fasting on an individual are likely to be varied, and it is important that we understand them to the best of our ability. A paper published in the Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio) by Sanderson JJ et al ‘The effect of fasting on gastrointestinal motility in healthy dogs as assessed by sonography’ 2017 Oct 25 sought to further expand our knowledge in this area using a canine model.

Ten animals were used in this study, all considered healthy, and 2D gastrointestinal ultrasonography to examine contractions was applied in 3 different regions – the stomach, duodenum and the jejunum/ileum areas. Ultrasound imaging was carried out after the dogs had been fed, and then again at different timepoints following fasting (dogs fasted for 24 hours) before finally being fed again, and ultrasound imaging carried out for a final time. All results were subjected to statistical analysis.

Results revealed that contractions within the canine gastrointestinal region were statistically, and therefore significantly, reduced in all 3 areas assessed following fasting. This reduction was seen following 12 hours of fasting, and was a characteristic that could also be seen up to 24 hours following fasting. Importantly, this study confirms the suitability of ultrasonography for this purpose in dogs.

Ultrasonography has the advantage of being non-invasive, limiting distress to the patient, whilst also being incredibly quick to carry out (in this particularly study, scanning only took 3 minutes) with results retrieved instantly. It is easy to see therefore why ultrasound imaging would be the tool of choice for practitioners working within the veterinary field. To see what scanners we stock suitable for dogs and other small animals, please see our website or feel free to contact us.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the effect of fasting on gastrointestinal (GI) motility in healthy dogs, as detected by 2D ultrasound.

DESIGN:

Prospective observational study.

SETTING:

University Distributed Veterinary Learning Community.

ANIMALS:

Ten healthy client-owned dogs.

INTERVENTIONS:

Dogs were fasted 24 hours following regular feeding. After this first feeding and during the 24 hour fasting period, 2D ultrasound was performed to detect sonographically visible GI contractions of the stomach, duodenum, and jejunum/ileum at T = 30 minutes, 6 hours, 12 hours, and 24 hours. Dogs were then fed a second meal after the 24-hour fast and ultrasound was repeated 30 minutes later (T = 24.5 h). Each site was scanned twice at each time point. Each scan lasted 3 minutes. The results were averaged and then divided by 3 to determine contractions per minute. One-way repeated measures ANOVA with post hoc Tukey's comparison test was used to detect statistical differences over time for each site examined.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:

The mean GI contraction rates in the stomach, duodenum, and jejunum/ileum at T12 and T24 were significantly lower than the GI contraction rates at T30, T3, T6, and T24.5 (P < 0.05). The mean GI contraction rates in the stomach, duodenum, and jejunum/ileum at T30, T3, T6, and T24.5 were not statistically different from each other.

CONCLUSIONS:

Results of this study show that 2D sonography can be used to evaluate GI motility in dogs and that GI contraction rate decreases significantly in the stomach, duodenum, and jejunum/ileum after 12-24 hours of fasting.