Solid phase gastric emptying times in the dog measured by 13C-sodium-acetate breath test and 99mTechnetium radioscintigraphy

The aim of the study was to assess solid gastric emptying via non-invasive 13C-sodium acetate breath test and compare this technique to 99mTechnetium scintigraphy in 12 healthy adult dogs.

The dogs were fed a test meal containing either 100mg 13C-sodium acetate or 150-250 MBq 99mTechnetium albumin colloid. Breath test and scintigraphy were performed on two consecutive days; this set of procedures was repeated in all dogs. Breath samples and scintigrams were obtained at baseline and every 15minutes for 4 hours, then every 30 minutes for another 2 hours. 25%, 50% and 75% gastric emptying times for breath test (Gt25%b, Gt50%b, Gt75%b) and scintigraphy (Gt25%s, Gt50%s, Gt75%s) were calculated and compared.

The mean (±SD) Gt50%b and Gt50%s were 165 (±28.1) and 71 (±16.6)minutes, respectively. There was a significant correlation at all three gastric emptying times between breath test and scintigraphy. Conclusion and clinical significance: While gastric emptying times between both methods varied considerably, both methods correlated significantly showing that the gastric emptying breath test can be used to assess gastric emptying times in dogs.