Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Doppler ultrasonographic evaluation of gastrointestinal hemodynamics in food hypersensitivities: a canine model.
- Journal:
- Journal of veterinary internal medicine
- Year:
- 2004
- Authors:
- Kircher, Patrick R et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
This study looked at how the blood flow in the stomach and intestines of dogs with food allergies changes after they eat. Eight dogs with confirmed food hypersensitivity were tested before and after they ate their regular food, as well as after eating four different allergens over a few days. The researchers found that the blood flow measurements reached their lowest point about 40 minutes after eating and then started to return to normal after 90 minutes. When the dogs ate food containing allergens, the changes in blood flow were even more significant. Importantly, the dogs did not show any obvious signs of stomach or intestinal problems during the tests, indicating that the changes in blood flow were a response to the food allergens rather than a sign of illness.
Abstract
Chronic enteropathy due to food hypersensitivity is a common complaint in dogs and humans, and definitive diagnosis and identification of offending allergens remains challenging. Doppler waveform analysis of the celiac artery (CA) and the cranial mesenteric artery (CMA) of 8 dogs with proven food hypersensitivity was performed in the fasting state and at 20, 40, 60, and 90 minutes after feeding their regular daily diet, and at 2 and 4 days after feeding 4 different allergens. Resistive index (RI), pulsatility index (PI), and the percentage differences between these measurements were calculated and compared statistically. The maximal decrease in RI and PI after feeding the regular diet was reached at 40 minutes after ingestion in both vessels (CA: RI = -6%, PI = -23%; CMA: RI = -9%, PI = -30%). After this trough, the resistance in both vessels rose nearly to baseline after 90 minutes (CA: RI = -1%, PI = -13%; CMA: RI = -3%, PI = -14%). When fed an allergen-containing meal the percentage changes at the trough were significantly greater (CA: RI = -10%, PI = -32%; CMA: RI = - 14%, PI = -40 %; p < 0.05) compared to those seen after feeding the maintenance diet. Also, RI and PI values were significantly (P < .05) lower at 90 minutes on days 2 and 4 of the challenge period. During the challenge period, dogs did not show overt signs of gastrointestinal disease. Significant postprandial hemodynamic alterations in response to food allergens in dogs with food hypersensitivities can be shown noninvasively with Doppler ultrasound.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15515573/