Dogs and cat’s jejunum echoicity characterization in the postprandial period

Abstract

The article is devoted to the quantitative characterization of dogs and cats’ jejunum mucus membrane echoicity in different functional states (fasting and postprandial period). The object of the study was healthy dogs of different ages and different breeds (17) and cats (14) of both sexes at the age from 1 to 7 years. The studies were carried out at the Pirogov Veterinary Center in Stavropol using a SIUI Apogee 1100 Omni scanner (Shantou Institute of Ultrasonic Instruments Co., Ltd., Guangdong, China) according to the standard technique using a multi-frequency linear sensor with a frequency of 7-12 MHz. Echohomogeneity and echoicity of the intestinal wall was determined by the method of Silina T L, et al. (2010). Animals were examined before feeding with a preliminary 10-12 hour fasting diet, 20, 40, 60, 90, 120 and 180 minutes after feeding with Purina® ready-made dry food. Mucous membrane echoicity of dogs and cats’ duodenum and jejunum does not change after feeding however 64.7% of dogs had single and multiple small inclusions and less often a longitudinal hyperechoic stripe appears in the mucosa. These changes are most expressed from 60 to 120 minutes after feeding and mostly disappear by 180 minutes. Only 21.4% of cats showed the presence of single hyperechoic inclusions in the mucous membrane of the duodenum or jejunum from 40 to 90 minutes after feeding. The described changes in the mucous membrane of the jejunum must be taken into account when an ultrasound scan is performed on an animal after a meal.