Effect of metoclopramide on fed-state gastric myoelectric and motor activity in dogs

To investigate the effects of metoclopramide, a putative gastroprokinetic agent, on dogs that had recovered from gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), a disorder characterized by delayed gastric emptying.

6 healthy dogs and 5 dogs after treatment and recovery from GDV.

Baseline recordings of gastric electrical and contractile activities were made 8 or 10 days after circumcostal gastropexy and implantation of serosal electrodes and strain-gauge force transducers. Gastric activities were recorded again the next day after treatment with the clinically recommended oral metoclopramide dose (0.3 mg/kg of body weight) administered a half hour before feeding. Recordings were analyzed to determine gastric slow-wave frequency, presence of slow-wave dysrhythmia, slow-wave propagation velocity, coupling of contractions to slow waves, a motility index based on relative contractile amplitudes, and onset of contractions after a standardized meal.

Significant differences in gastric electrical or contractile activities were not detected after metoclopramide treatment in dogs with GDV. Compared with control dogs after metoclopramide treatment, gastric slow-wave propagation velocity was significantly (P = 0.03) faster for the dogs with GDV at postprandial minute 90.

At a clinically recommended dosage, metoclopramide treatment did not change gastric myoelectric and motor activities in a way that would promote increased gastric emptying in dogs with GDV.

Metoclopramide treatment may not benefit dogs with GDV and delayed gastric emptying.