Radiographic evaluation of the effect of diphenoxylate and loperamide on the transit time of the contrast media of gastro-intestinal tract in cat

Radiography with contrast media is a diagnostic imaging technique with high-resolution that plays a prominent role in showing the transit time of gastrointestinal system. The purpose of the present research was to evaluate the effects of diphenoxylate and loperamide on the transit time of contrast media from the gastrointestinal in cat. The study was performed on twenty healthy female cat. The cats were divided into four equal groups. The first group (control) was received ketamine with diazepam, 40 min before administration of the contrast media. The second group was received diphenoxylate 0.1 mg/kg, the third group loperamide 0.1 mg/kg, and the fourth group loperamide 0.2 mg/kg, 30 min before administration of contrast media. Tranquilizer drugs were administered to all groups. Then the radiography was performed at times zero, 20, 40 and 60 min, and every hour until reaching the contrast media to colon. All groups that were received drug had a significant difference at the beginning of emptying with control group (p < 0.05). The mean total transit time of the stomach was 52 min for the control group, the diphenoxylate 120, the loperamide 0.1 mg/kg 156 and for the loperamide 0.2 mg/kg 204 min respectively. There was a significant difference between the control and the drug-receiving groups as well as the two groups of diphenoxylate and loperamide 0.2 mg/kg at the time of complete stomach emptying (p < 0.05). In conclusion, it was showed that Loperamide with dosage 0.2 mg/kg had the most delay effect in emptying of the gastrointestinal tract in cat.