Screening of concentration and safety evaluation of diatrizoate sodium for gastrointestinal contrast examination in dogs

Zhu Aijun; Bai Liying; Li Dapeng; Liu Xingjian; Wang Yu

doi:10.20154/j.cnki.issn1672-9692.2026.02.003

Abstract：This study aimed to screen the optimal concentration of sodium diatrizoate for positive contrast radiography of the gastrointestinal tract in dogs and evaluate its safety.A randomized,controlled trial was conducted using oral administration combined with multi-dimensional assessments on 20 healthy Chinese indigenous dogs.The 20 experimental dogs were randomly divided into four groups:10%sodium diatrizoate group,12%sodium diatrizoate group,15%sodium diatrizoate group,and a blank control group,with 5 dogs in each group.The dogs in the experimental groups received sodium diatrizoate at a dose of 10 mL/kg at the corresponding concentration via oral administration,while the control group received an equivalent volume of normal saline.The DR contrast images from each experimental group were scored using a blinded method to assess the imaging quality,identify the optimal concentration,and conduct safety evaluations(including monitoring of clinical symptoms,hematological parameters,serum biochemical indicators,and ultrasonography).The results showed that the 12%sodium diatrizoate group provided the best imaging quality,with its blinded score being higher than those of the 10%and 15%groups,and it clearly revealed gastrointestinal structure and motility.No severe adverse reactions were observed in any dog in this group,and no significant differences were found in hematological parameters or serum liver and kidney function indicators before and after the experiment(P>0.05).Ultrasonography also revealed no organ damage.The study demonstrates that 12%sodium diatrizoate,when used for positive contrast radiography of the gastrointestinal tract in dogs,demonstrates both excellent imaging efficacy and favorable safety.