Fasting and postprandial gastroesophageal sphincter pressure (GESP) and plasma
gastrin immunoreactivity were measured in 6 dogs from 9 through 60 months
after treatment for and recovery from
gastric dilatation-
volvulus (GDV). The GESP was not significantly increased in these dogs, compared with that in clinically normal dogs in either the fasting or postprandial state. Corresponding plasma
gastrin immunoreactivity was not significantly increased in dogs of the GDV-recovered group, compared with that in clinically normal dogs (fasting or postprandial). An exaggerated increase in GESP in response to food-induced
gastrin release was not observed in dogs of the GDV-recovered group. Exogenously administered
pentagastrin (3-micrograms/kg bolus, IV) increased fasting GESP in clinically normal dogs over a 4-minute test period (P = 0.01). Gastric distention in response to
oral administration of isosmolar
saline solution (500 ml) did not significantly increase GESP or plasma
gastrin immunoreactivity in clinically normal dogs. In anesthetized clinically normal dogs, gastric distention in response to use of balloons filled to exert intragastric pressure of 30 mm of Hg also did not cause significant increase in plasma
gastrin immunoreactivity. Increased GESP, secondary to hypergastrinemia or gastric distention, is an unlikely cause of
eructation failure in dogs with GDV.