Bovine Abomasal Ulcers Flashcards
What are the 3 Gastric Protective Mechanisms?
Mucous acts as a physical barrier
Bicarbonate in mucous maintains the pH gradient and neutralizes acid
High gastric blood flow maximizes the production of mucous by gastric cells and carries away back-diffusing hydrogen ions.
What are the 5 physiologic predisposing factors to abomasal ulceration?
Catecholamine Release - Stress leads to release of epinephrine and norepinephrine
Decreased mucosal blood flow (NSAID induced PGE decifiency, shock, etc)
Sepsis (particularly with gram-negative bacteria, choliform mastitis)
Increased gastrin release
Increased histamine release
What are the 4 clinical types of abomasal ulcers?
Non-perforating with little to no bleeding
Non-perforating with significant bleeding
Slowly perforate and adhere to parietal peritonium simultaneously
Rapid perforation and massive peritonitis
Which clinical type of abomasal ulcer appears clinically similar to TRP?
Type 3 - Slowly perforate and adhere to parietal peritonium simultaneously
What clinical signs are associated with bleeding ulcers?
Melena, Pale Mucous Membranes, Rapid/Pounding Heart, Weakness, and Death
How do we approach correction of type-4 abomasal ulcers?
Immediate surgical intervention and flushing of abdomen.
Aggressive antibiotics, IV fluid therapy, and pain management.
Prognosis is very poor
What two classes of drugs used for treating abomasal ulcers act by decreasing acid secretion?
H2-antagonists (Antihistamines)
Proton-pump inhibitors (Hydrogen pump blockers)
What are three examples of H2-antagonists?
Cimetidine
Ranitidine
Famotidine
What are two examples of proton-pump inhibitors?
Omeprazole
Pantoprazole
Why are oral antacids and mucosal protectants more useful in calves than adult cattle?
In adult cattle, the drugs undergo volume dilution in the rumen. Delivery to the abomasum is also much slower in adults.
What are two examples of mucosal protectants that can be used for abomasal ulcers?
Sucralfate
Misoprostol
What type of diet can be given to help manage abomasal ulcers?
A bland fiber diet (hay)
How many blood transfusions do animals with bleeding abomasal ulcerations typically require? What neoplastic condition significantly decreases the effectiveness of transfusions if it is the cause of the ulceration?
Most animals only require a single transfusion and have a good prognosis.
Lymphosarcoma
