Gastric hemorrhage in dogs given high doses of methylprednisolone sodium succinate.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether healthy dogs given high doses of methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS) develop gastrointestinal tract ulcers and hemorrhage.

ANIMALS

19 healthy male hound-type dogs.

PROCEDURE

Dogs were assigned randomly to intravenously receive high doses of MPSS (30 mg/kg of body weight, initially, then 15 mg/kg 2 and 6 hours later, and, subsequently, every 6 hours for a total of 48 hours; n = 10) or an equal volume of saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (9). Gastroduodenoscopy was performed before and after treatment. Endoscopic evidence of gross hemorrhage in the cardia, fundus, antrum, and duodenum of each dog was graded from none (0) to severe (3), and a total stomach score was calculated as the sum of the regional gastric scores. Number of ulcers were recorded. The pH of gastric fluid and evidence of occult gastric and fecal blood were measured. Food retention was recorded.

RESULTS

Gastric hemorrhage was evident in all dogs after MPSS administration and was severe in 9 of 10 dogs but not visible in any dog after saline treatment. Occult gastric blood was detected more commonly (9/10 vs 2/9), median gastric acidity was greater (pH 1 vs pH 3), and food was retained more commonly (7/10 vs 1/9) in the stomach of MPSS-treated dogs.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

High doses of MPSS cause gastric hemorrhage in dogs. All dogs treated with high doses of MPSS should be treated with mucosal protectants or antacids to prevent gastric hemorrhage.