Oral Simetikonun Kedilerde Pankreasın Sol Lobunun Ultrasonografik Görüntülenmesine Etkisi

Harran Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, cilt.13, sa.3, ss.218-226, 2026 (TRDizin)

ABSTRACT

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 nonnormal

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.