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Peer-reviewed veterinary case report

Treatment clears Helicobacter infection in dogs and cats with

By Jergens, A E et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2009·Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed

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Original publication title: Fluorescence in situ hybridization confirms clearance of visible Helicobacter spp. associated with gastritis in dogs and cats.

Species:
cat

Plain-English summary

Three dogs and two cats with chronic vomiting and gastrointestinal issues were found to have a bacterial infection called Helicobacter in their stomachs. They were treated with a combination of three antibiotics and put on a special elimination diet for three weeks. After treatment, all pets showed a quick improvement in their vomiting, and follow-up tests confirmed that the Helicobacter bacteria were no longer present in their stomachs. However, some inflammation in the stomach lining remained despite the successful treatment of the infection.

People also search for: dog vomiting treatment · cat gastritis symptoms · Helicobacter in dogs and cats · antibiotics for dog stomach infection · elimination diet for cats

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The results of studies examining the role of Helicobacter spp. in the pathogenesis of canine and feline gastritis are inconclusive. Furthermore, data evaluating the effectiveness of medical therapy for eradication of Helicobacter infection are limited. AIM: To detect Helicobacter spp. in mucosal biopsies of dogs and cats diagnosed with gastritis, with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). ANIMALS: Three dogs and 2 cats with signs of chronic gastrointestinal disease. METHODS: Dogs and cats infected with Helicobacter spp. were treated with triple antimicrobial therapy and fed an elimination diet for 21 days. Helicobacter spp. status in endoscopic (3 dogs, 1 cat) or surgical biopsies (1 cat) of gastric mucosa was compared pre- and posttreatment in each animal by histology, FISH analysis, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Gastritis of varying severity with intraglandular spiral bacteria was observed in all animals. Pretreatment diagnostic tests confirmed the presence of mucosal Helicobacter spp. in all animals by FISH and histopathology and in 4/5 animals by PCR. Rapid resolution of vomiting episodes was observed in all animals. Gastric biopsies performed after triple therapy revealed clearance of visible Helicobacter spp. by histopathology and negative FISH analysis, as well as PCR in all animals. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Application of FISH to routine biopsy specimens enabled rapid and specific identification of Helicobacter spp. within the gastric mucosa of dogs and cats. Although medical therapy was useful in resolution of clinical signs and clearance of visible Helicobacter spp. in gastric biopsies, gastric inflammation persisted.

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Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19175715/