Evaluation of dexamethasone and methylprednisolone administration on visceral organs prior to contrast radiography in Nigerian indigenous breed of dogs

The number of medical procedures using iodinated contrast media has increased in recent decades, though contrast media are regarded as safer. Nine Nigerian indigenous breed of dogs were acquired and housed in the Small Animal Kennel of the Nigerian Veterinary Research Institute Veterinary Hospital. The nine dogs were grouped into three groups of three animals each. Group A was the control, and were given urografin at 370 mg/kg, ten minutes before exposure to x-ray. Group B were given dexamethasone at 1 mg/kg 2 hours before x-ray and urografin ten minutes before exposure to x-ray. Group C were given methylprednisolone at 1 mg/kg 2 hours before exposure to x-ray, and urografin ten minutes before exposure to x-ray. All groups were given urografin 24 hours later at 370 mg/kg. Pathological changes in the liver and the kidney were more severe in the methylprednisolone treated group, followed by dexamethasone treated group. While, the dexamethasone treated group recorded more pathologies in the spleen. The use of anti-inflammatory drugs (dexamethasone and methylprednisolone) tends to be more protective in the heart. We recommend that the use of steroids such as dexamethasone and methylprednisolone be avoided in contrast radiography except where heart pathology exist.