GI01 - Evaluation of 48h Gastric pH and Serum Gastrin Concentrations in Dogs with Chronic Kidney Disease

Abstract: Background: Gastric hyperacidity is reported to cause gastric ulceration in dogs with chronic kidney disease (CKD), yet there are no studies evaluating gastric pH in dogs with CKD.



Hypothesis/Objectives: Compare gastric pH and serum gastrin concentrations in dogs with CKD to healthy, age-matched dogs.



Animals: Client-owned dogs with CKD (International Renal Interest Society [IRIS] Stage I-IV) and age-matched, healthy dogs. Inclusion criteria for control dogs were absence of azotemia, USG > 1.015, and normal body condition. Exclusion criteria for all dogs included historical or biochemical evidence of hepatobiliary disease, primary gastrointestinal disease, uncontrolled endocrine disease, or use of interfering drugs, including acid suppressants within 7 days of pH monitoring.



Methods: Prospective, case-control study. Minimum database and serum gastrin concentration were evaluated within 24 hours of pH monitoring, which was performed by radiographic-assisted placement of a pH capsule in the gastric fundus. Continuous pH recordings were compared over time and between groups using a repeated measures mixed-model ANOVA.



Results: 13 dogs with CKD (mean ± SD, age: 8.9 ± 5.0 y) and 11 healthy dogs (age: 8.3 ± 3.3 y) were enrolled. No significant differences were observed between groups for any pH parameters, including mean gastric pH (CKD: 2.37 ± 0.87; healthy: 2.31 ± 0.98; p = 0.77). Serum gastrin concentrations for all dogs were within the reference interval.



Conclusions and clinical importance: Dogs with CKD do not have gastric hyperacidity compared to age-matched, healthy dogs. These results do not support the routine use of acid-suppressing drugs in dogs with CKD.