MELOXICAM-INDUCED GASTROPATHY IN DOGS: CLINICAL, BIOCHEMICAL, ENDOSCOPIC FEATURES AND TRIALS FOR PREVENTION

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate and to compare the clinical, hemato-biochemical and endoscopic aspects of gastropathy in dogs treated with meloxicam alone or incombination with esomeprazole and misoprostol. Twenty baladi healthy dogs were included in the experimental study. Dogs were divided into four groups each group consisting of five animals; Group I (control group), the group that does not receive any medication. Meloxicam treated groups divided into: Group II which received meloxicam at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg BWT per OS /24 hr. Group III  animals received the same previous dose of meloxicam and esomeprazole at a dose of 1mg/kg BWT per OS /24 hr. Group IV  animals received the same dose of meloxicam and misoprostol 3μg /kg BWT per OS tid. Upon drug administration, dogs were kept under observation for 14 consecutive days. Clinical and hemato-biochemical  analysis were evaluated across time (T0, T3, T7, T10 and T14). The image analysis of the gastroscopic examination was evaluated across time (T0, T7 and T14), endoscopic examinations were applied to all animals in four groups at three time points (T0, T7, and T14), endoscopic lesions were scored by use of a 5-point scale. Clinically, the most common clinical sings in dogs with Meloxicam induced- gastropathy were inappetence to anorexia, hematemesis, melena, abdominal pain and weakness, the specific endoscopic lesions of gastropathy were gastric erosion, hemorrhage and ulcers. Serum gastrin concentration is a biochemically sensitive indicator of gastropathy. The overall results concluded that meloxicam-induced gastropathy was more severe in group II compared to groups III and group IV. The proton pump inhibitor (esomeprazole) was more effective and better tolerated than misoprostol.