DOI: 10.31196/huvfd.1956166 ISSN: 2146-717X

Effect of Oral Simethicone on Ultrasonographic Visualization of the Left Pancreatic Lobe in Cats

Eylem Bektaş Bilgiç, Cihan Pınarbaşı, Ceren Nur Giray, Murat Karabağlı
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This study aimed to evaluate the effect of oral simethicone administration on the ultrasonographic visualization of the pancreas in cats by reducing gastrointestinal gas-related artifacts. Ten mixed-breed cats without gastrointestinal complaints were included in the study. The left pancreatic lobe was ultrasonographically examined twice. Initial measurements were performed before oral simethicone administration (T0). Subsequently, all cats received oral simethicone at a dose of 4 mg/kg, and measurements were repeated 30 minutes later (T1). Ultrasonographic examinations were performed using an Esaote MyLab™8 Vet ultrasound system. Left pancreatic lobe thickness and pancreatic duct diameter, when visible, were recorded. Data normality was assessed using the Shapiro–Wilk test, which demonstrated a non-normal distribution. Therefore, measurements were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. No statistically significant difference was observed between pre- and post-simethicone measurements of the left pancreatic lobe (p>0.05). In cases where the pancreas could not be adequately visualized before simethicone administration, no marked improvement in image quality was observed after administration. However, when the pancreas was visualized, measurements remained consistent after treatment. The findings suggest that oral simethicone administration alone does not substantially improve ultrasonographic visualization of the pancreas in cats. Pancreatic visualization appears to be influenced not only by gastrointestinal gas but also by multiple factors, including patient characteristics and imaging conditions.

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