Research designed to prevent potentially fatal stomach condition
A clinical study of large dogs weighing more than 80lb, designed to prevent a potentially fatal stomach condition, is to be carried out by veterinarians at Colorado State University.
Researchers are currently recruiting a group of large dogs, for the study into gastric dilatation volvulus, a fairly common and potentially fatal condition when the stomach flips and expands.
The dogs will each be given a SmartPill – high-tech ingestible capsules which will send information to computer monitors, allowing real-time measurement of factors including pressure, pH and temperature in the gastrointestinal tract.
The animals will be given a special diet for five weeks after which their stomach function will be evaluated.
Then a laparoscopic gastropexy, a minimally invasive surgery in which the stomach is attached to the abdominal wall, will be performed. The veterinary team will again assess the stomach function of the dogs after another five weeks on the special diet.
Dr. Eric Monnet, a veterinarian in Soft Tissue Surgery Service at CSU's James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital is leading the research.
"The study's focus is learning what happens in the canine gastrointestinal tract after surgery," said Monnet.
He said data from the SmartPill will allow veterinarians to understand how the digestive system works as food moves through the stomach and intestines in dogs that have undergone gastropexy. This, in turn, will help veterinarians better identify dietary and other post-surgery needs.
To find out more about the study click here.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
