7. Alterations in Alimentary and Hepatic Function

Question 1

What is the normal fecal output for horses and cattle?

Answer 1

The adult horse normally produces 11 to 13 kg of fecal material per day

Cattle normally produce 15 to 28 kg of feces per day

Question 2

What is the normal water intake for horses and cattle?

Answer 2

Horse on a hay diet in a mild ambient temperature environment: about 24 to 30 L/day

Cattle consume 30 to 60 L/day

Question 3

Describe how neonates can develop lactose intolerance.

Answer 3

Villus blunting (leads to reduction in lactase production)

Especially with rotaviral and clostridial infections

Question 4

Causes of dysentery (10)

Answer 4

1. Salmonellosis
2. Clostridium perfringens, types A, B, or C
3. Clostridium difficile
4. Lawsonia intracellularly
5. Attaching effacing Escherichia coil
6. Campylobacter jejuni
7. Coccidiosis
8. Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF)
9. Arsenic toxicity
10. Oak toxicity

Question 5

Discus Secretory Diarrhea

Answer 5

Most important in neonates (enteropathogenic E. coli)

Enterotoxins stimulate secretion by stimulating cAMP or other intracellular messengers to promote the secretion of chloride, sodium, and other electrolytes

Secretion may occur with viral diarrhea by a different mechanism: damaged mature (absorbing) villous cells are replaced by immature (secreting) crypt cells.
Eg. rotavirus.