Gastric emptying time and acidity in avitaminosis a in dogs

Summary

The free and total acidity of gastric juice and its rate of secretion in response to histamine was found to be about the same in 4 dogs during Avitaminosis A as under Vitamin A administration.

Final gastric emptying time in 7 of 15 dogs was increased 28 to 124 per cent in Avitaminosis A. In 3 other dogs it was increased 36 to 71 per cent at the initial appearance of anorexia but later emptying time in these dogs was found to be within normal limits although the signs of Avitaminosis A had become progressively more severe. In the remaining 5 dogs gastric emptying time showed no significant deviation from the normal.

Anorexia in Avitaminosis A in these dogs was not due to ulceration of the buccal or pharyngeal mucosa because it occurred in only 2 of 15 dogs and one of these continued to eat. The variability of the results in the effect of Avitaminosis A upon gastric emptying time makes it appear that the anorexia in this deficiency is due to changes in the central nervous system rather than in the alimentary tract.