Intraperitoneal nutrition in dogs : a possible alternative for nutritional support : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Veterinary Science at Massey University

Abstract

Prolonged protein-energy malnutrition in dogs and other species has serious and wide-ranging adverse effects on organ systems. Separating the effects of poor nutritional status from those of the underlying disease mechanism is difficult and has made documenting a significant improvement in the long-term survival of patients frustrating. Despite these problems, nutritional support continues to be an important component of the treatment in critically ill or injured patients. In Chapter 1 the consequences of prolonged malnutrition throughout the body are discussed and the methods of providing nutritional support assessed. For patients who have a functioning gastrointestinal tract (GIT), nutritional support should be provided so that as much of the GIT as possible is used. In companion animals, enteral nutrition can be provided in various ways, ranging from forced oral feeding to an indwelling jejunostomy tube. Enteral nutritional support is a more physiological route for nutrient absorption, is less likely to result in serious adverse effects and is cheaper than parenteral nutrition. However, there are circumstances under which the GIT cannot be utilised as the primary route for nutritional support. This prompted the development of intravenous parenteral nutrition. Administration of total daily caloric requirements necessitates the use of a central venous line and a continuous 18 to 24 hour infusion. Unfamiliarity with central venous catheters, expensive and the inability to provide 24 hour monitoring for critically ill patients has precluded the use of intravenous parenteral nutrition in many veterinary hospitals. For these reasons alternative routes of nutritional support have been examined. Chapter 2 examines the work achieved over the past 20 years by workers who have investigated the peritoneal cavity as an alternative route for parenteral nutritional support. The peritoneum is capable of absorbing electrolytes, dextrose, complex carbohydrates, amino acids, intact plasma proteins, lipids and particulate matter. Previous studies using experimental animal models have demonstrated that intraperitoneal nutritional support is feasible. The pilot study (Chapter 3) in this experimental series examined the physical, haematological, biochemical and peritoneal cytological response in dogs receiving a total nutrient admixture (TNA) comprised of dextrose, amino acids and a lipid emulsion administered into the peritoneal cavity by a repeat puncture technique. This study identified a number of significant adverse effects associated with intraperitoneal nutrition (IPN) when using a TNA given in sufficient quantities to meet 100% of daily energy requirements (RER). Acute non-septic peritonitis, hypoalbuminaemia, mild anaemia, electrolyte and glucose derangements, and sudden fluid shifts from the vascular space into the peritoneal cavity were the problems recognised. The study reported in Chapter 4 was undertaken to investigate the cause of the marked peritoneal inflammatory response and to pursue possible explanations lor the clinicopathological changes that occurred in the pilot study. This was achieved by administering the components of the TNA as individual nutrients and comparing the peritoneal response over a 5 day period. This study demonstrated that the lipid component of the TNA was responsible for the majority ot the peritoneal inflammation seen in the pilot study, causing a 13 fold greater increase in peritoneal total white cell count (TWCC) compared to a 5% amino acid solution and a 10% dextrose solution. Although there was a significant increase in peritoneal TWCC in dogs receiving the lipid emulsion, there were no signs supportive of a clinically significant peritonitis at the dose administered. The mild anaemia, hypoproteinaemia (particularly hypoalbuminaemia) and electrolyte disturbances noted in the pilot study were again seen in the study described in this chapter. Although well tolerated by the peritoneal cavity, 10% dextrose in the volume administered in Chapter 4 failed to supply enough calories on a daily basis to make this route of nutritional support feasible. It was decided to try and increase the percentage of daily caloric requirements supplied by using a dextrose polymer. This nutrient solution allowed more calories to be provided for a given osmolality without the risk of fluid shifts into the peritoneal cavity because of it's isotonic nature. The study presented in Chapter 5 identified that a 21.5% dextrose polymer solution caused an initial significant increase in peritoneal TWCC, which then declined to near baseline concentrations by the end of the study. It was concluded that twenty percent of resting energy requirements can be safely given to clinically healthy dogs in the form of a 10% dextrose solution, 5% amino acid solution, 10% lipid emulsion and a 21.5% dextrose polymer solution via a repeat abdominal puncture technique. Further studies are required before this form of nutritional support can be widely recommended to the veterinary profession.