Clinical conditions

Question 1

Megaoesophagus

Answer 1

neuromuscular disorder characterized by a weakening of the smooth muscles around the oesophogus

effects peristalsis of the oesophogus and causes oesophageal dilation

monitor respiration
balls of food
calorie dense diet

Question 2

Hepatic lipidosis

Answer 2

Anorexic obese cats and rabbits are prone to this condition.

syptoms
-anorexia
-weight loss
-cachexia
-icterus
Hepatomegaly

can also lead to coagulopathy
elevated liver enzymes on biochem

treatment involves -
fluid therapy
nutritional therapy
vitamin K

Question 3

DM (diabetes Mellitus) is a complete or relative lack of insulin questions

Answer 3

what effect would this have on blood glucose levels?

• blood glucose levels are high with this condition. They’re so high we start to see glucose in the urine

what effect would this have at the cellular level?

• The cells are effectively starved of glucose. They have to find another way to create ATP (adenosine triphosphate)

Question 4

What does insulin do?

Answer 4

lowers blood glucose by allowing glucose into cells so they can create cellular energy

Question 5

DM - clinical signs

Answer 5

Polyphagia ( increased appetite)
- vomiting and diarrhoea
- depression
- exercise intolerance
- Anorexia
- cataracts
- plantigrade posture cats
- polyuria/ polydispia (increased urination and thirst)

Question 6

management is about gaining glycaemic (blood sugar) control.

Answer 6

diet - increases blood sugar
exercise - decreases blood sugar
insulin administration - decreases blood sugar

Question 7

What is Diabetes Mellitus

Answer 7

a complete or relative lack of insulin - causing hyperglycaemia insulin takes glucose from the blood to the cells.

Question 8

What interventions can help manage this disease?

Answer 8

Constant access to water

consistent feeding (times, amounts, food)

consistent exercise

consistent insulin timing, doses

Question 9

Fibre and protein

Answer 9

hard to catabolise, resulting in the slow release / production of glucose

Question 10

Kidney functions

Answer 10

• filtration
• Erythropoiesis
• Removal of waste
  (urea and creatinine)
  (Drug metabolities)

regulations of -
-PH
-osmotic balance
- water balance
- electrolyte / mineral levels
- Blood pressure

Question 11

Cardiac disease

Answer 11

they’re managed rather than cured, through a combination of medications, check - ups, lifestyle and diet modifications.

As a by - product of the heart losing contractile strength

RAAS is activated improving blood pressure

• This eventually leads to congestive heart failure

Cardiac diets
- Sodium restricted negates affects of aldosterone

• have taurine and carnitine supplementation

Question 12

Feline urolithiasis

Answer 12

-Urolithiasis relates to the formation of urinary stones from the aggregation of minerals in urine.

Nutrition, urine pH and urine volume are major factors influencing the formation of uroliths