Esophageal acid clearance test in healthy dogs.

Esophageal acid clearance in healthy dogs was evaluated by placing a pH probe in the distal esophagus and determining the number of swallows and time required for esophageal pH to reach 4.0 after injection of a 10 mL bolus of 0.1 N hydrochloric acid. The increase in pH occurred in a stepwise fashion and was associated with esophageal peristalsis as determined by esophageal manometry. The number of swallows required for acid clearance varied from four to 12 with a mean of 8 +/- 1.8. The time required for acid clearance varied from 150 to 480 s with a mean of 285 +/- 75. No significant difference was noted after 0.16 mg/kg of lenperone hydrochloride was given intramuscularly. The esophageal acid clearance test in dogs appears similar to that reported in humans.