RESUMEN
Supplementing the food of Heidenhain pouch gastric fistula dogs with a KC1 product greatly extends the survivability of these dogs. Since there is a continuous discharge of gastric juice from the pouch to the exterior each time a meal is consumed, clinical signs such as dehydration, anorexia, rough hair coat and lethargy usually occur within a few months after gastric pouch surgery and, unless extensive supportive measures are taken, most dogs will die shortly thereafter. The five dogs which did not receive KC1 supplementation died within 6 months after surgery with a mean survival time of 2.4 +/- 0.9 months. Seven dogs that received a daily oral supplement of 1.5 g KC1 (20 mEq) in their food have, on average, survived more than ten times longer than dogs which received no KC1 supplementation, with a mean survival time of 25.1 +/- 4.4 months. All KC1 supplemented dogs survived for more than 15 months with three dogs currently surviving for 36-40 months. When two dogs experienced decreased serum potassium, sodium and/or chloride levels and showed clinical signs of electrolyte imbalance despite receiving daily oral KC1 supplementation, intervention with intravenous (i.v.) lactated Ringer's solution and increased amounts of oral KC1 supplement reversed these symptoms within 1-2 weeks. Dogs that received only i.v. Ringer's therapy died with 1 week of the onset of clinical signs. Daily oral KC1 supplementation, careful observation of behavior and eating patterns, and routine physical examinations and serum electrolyte measurements can greatly extend the life expectancy of dogs with Heidenhain pouch gastric fistulas.