Introduction
Helicobacter infection, caused by spiral shaped bacterial which bore into the tissues of the stomach and lower GI tract, does not occur commonly in dogs. However, when it does occur it is important to reach a conclusive diagnosis quickly. Helicobacter infection can lead to persistent vomiting, weight loss, and gastrointestinal disorders. Fortunately there are a number of diagnostic tests that can be used to identify if Helicobacter bacteria is causing the dog’s symptoms.
Non-Invasive Tests for Helicobacter Infection
Non-invasive tests for Helicobacter infection include the urea breath test and blood tests. The urea breath test is conducted by giving the dog an oral dose of urea that has been chemically labeled. In 10-30 minutes the dog’s exhaled breath is tested for evidence of a split urea molecule; a positive result indicates that the urea was digested by Helicobacter bacteria.
Blood tests check for Helicobacter antibodies, but this test is by far the least reliable.
Surgical Tests for Helicobacter Infection
Invasive tests include the rapid urease test, cytology, and histopathology, and these tests are much more accurate than the noninvasive tests. If the dog is suffering from unexplained bouts of vomiting or gastrointestinal problems, the invasive diagnostic tests are highly recommended.
The rapid urease test is one of the quickest, and most accurate, tests used to detect Helicobacter infection. This test is performed during a gastroscopy procedure when the dog is sedated. During this procedure a small camera is run through the dog’s mouth down into the stomach. A small tool on the end of the camera can pinch off a piece of stomach tissue and the tissue is placed into dish with a type of broth that will react to the presence of the bacteria. If the bacteria are present, the broth will change color.
Cytology and histology procedures examine the stomach tissue under microscopic slides to see if any Helicobacter are present in the tissue.