Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Duodenal and Cecal Motility after Administration of Different Doses of Domperidone in Donkeys (Equus Asinus)

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different doses of domperidone on duodenal and cecal motility in donkeys. Six adult donkeys (n = 6) were used in a crossover study. Domperidone was administered orally via nasogastric tube at a dose rate of 0.5, 1 and 2 mg kg-1. Duodenal and cecal contractions were evaluated by ultrasonography using a 5 MHz curved-linear transducer. Examinations were performed before administration and at 15, 30, 60, 120 and 180 minutes post-administration. There was a significant (p < 0.05) increase of duodenal contractions after 15 minutes of domperidone administration at 1 mg kg-1 and lasted until 60 minutes. The cecal contractions were also significantly increased after 15 minutes and lasted until 60 minutes at a dose rate of 1 and 2 mg kg -1 (MANOVA fit, p < 0.01; Wilks, Lambda for dose × time interaction, p < 0.05). The results of the present study indicate that 1 mg kg-1 domperidone is the most effective prokinetic dose on duodenal and cecal contraction. Domperidone may be an alternative prokinetic drug for intestinal and cecal disorders in equines.