Comparison of gastric lesions in dogs and cats with and without gastric spiral organisms
Yamasaki, K.; Suematsu, H.; Takahashi, T.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 212(4): 529-533
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1488 PMID: 9491160 Document Number: 497356
The histology of the stomach and incidence of gastric spiral organisms (GSO; Helicobacter) were investigated in 21 healthy dogs, 10 healthy cats, and 56 dogs and 33 cats with gastrointestinal disease. Unevenness of the gastric mucosal surface was detected using endoscopic techniques in 20 and 25% of healthy and diseased dogs, respectively. GSO were located on the mucosal surface within or beneath the mucus, in gastric pits, and within glandular lumina in 86 and 90% of healthy dogs and cats, respectively, and in 61 and 64% of clinically abnormal dogs and cats, respectively; prevalence did not differ significantly between healthy and diseased animals. GSO infection was detected in stomachs of >60% of dogs and cats that were <=1-year-old. H. pylori was not isolated from any specimen, however, specimens in which GSO were found had positive results on a urease test. It is suggested that the high prevalence of GSO in healthy dogs and cats implies these animals as potential reservoirs for infection in man.