Abdominal pain in small animals - reading

Question 1

List some examples of surgical emergencies

Answer 1

intestinal obstruction (complete or partial)
pyometra (less urgent if open)
dystocia
GDV
septic peritonitis
intussusception
penetrating abdominal wound
abdominal bite injury/crush injury
uroabdomen
urethral obstruction (if catheterisation fails)
bile peritonitis
splenic torsion
strangulated hernia
intractable haemorrhage
mesenteric torsion

Question 2

Define discopondylitis. Why might it be an abdominal problem?

Answer 2

infection of the intervertebral disc space - may cause spinal pain that is a ‘look alike’ of abdominal pain

Question 3

How might you rule in or out abdominal versus spinal pain?

Answer 3

animals with uncomplicated spinal disease are unlikely to show marked CV compromise that is a common feature of acute abdomen. Likewise animals with acute abdomen may be collapse or weak but they are unlikely to show localised neurological signs.

Although it may be difficult in smaller animals, it is important to try and palpate the abdomen without applying pressure over the spine with the thumbs.

Question 4

Describe the prayer position

Answer 4

Dog stands with hindlimbs upright with sternum on floor. highly suggestive of abdominal pain but not reported in all cases. not at all reported in cats.

Question 5

How may abdominal palpation show pain?

Answer 5

• guarding where the abdominal mm are v rigid (splinting of the abdomen) and this is quite different to animals in which the abdomen becomes ‘tense’ as a result to palpation
• animal grunts/groans
• may turn to look during palpation
• prayer position adopted after palpation