Digestive Tract Clinical Signs

Question 1

Anorexia

Answer 1

Not eating

Trouble eating or swallowing

Question 2

Vomiting

Answer 2

Active process of emptying stomach
Be very concerned if owner describes persistent vomiting , blood or feces like material in vomit, projectile vomiting , depressed animal
Ask for videotape or sample/photo

Question 3

Regurgitation

Answer 3

Passive emptying of the esophagus

Question 4

What is the most common clinical sign you will see and what do you tell your client when they say their dog has been vomiting

Answer 4

Vomiting
Never tell the client they don’t need to bring their pet in
Description of vomit-good
Photos-better
Samples-best
Be very concerned if their is persistent vomiting, blood in feces, projectile vomit, depressed animal

Question 5

What are the most common signs of Abdominal swelling?

Answer 5

Fat(weight gain, fat deposits)
ascites (fluid in the abdomen, tumors)
tumor organomegaly(tumor or organ enlargement, enlarged bladder, puss filled uterus)
gas distension of GI tract
pregnancy

Question 6

Flatulence

Answer 6

Fermentation by bacteria due to overgrowth of bacteria, increased nutrients in colon due to malabsorption or a high fiber diet

Question 7

Weight loss

Answer 7

Not eating/not eating enough (may be more active and underfed)
Not digesting - may not be absorbing nutrients if problem with enzyme release
Increased energy requirements
Nutrient loss through digestive system
Many etiologies (causes)

Question 8

Constipation

Answer 8

Very important to distinguish between constipation and straining to urinate
Uncommon in dogs, common in older cats(dehydration example: CRF) -bowel movement firmer, less frequent
Need to distinguish if they are having difficulty urinating or defecating

Question 9

Diarrhea

Answer 9

Very common
Note consistency and presence of blood or mucous
Determine if animal is systematically I’ll
Determine if acute or chronic
Always emergency if dog is having accidents in house
Is the pet normal otherwise? Are they anorexic? Lethargic? Or vomiting?
Watery vs pudding
Are there any changes in the house diet?

Question 10

Weakness

Answer 10

Non specific sign
Possibly hypoglycemia or malnutrition
More likely cardiovascular or musculoskeletal disease
Cardiovascular: nutrients not getting to tissues normally , will be weak
Musculoskeletal: painful, sore, reluctant to move
Easy to confuse with lethargy
Is pet weak or just tired/not feeling well?

Question 11

Poor coat quality

Answer 11

Hair growth requires adequate nutritional level

Nutrients go to main organs first, may not have enough for skin/hair

Question 12

Halitosis

Answer 12

Bad breath
Local or systematic
Not always dental disease
Consider diabetes (can have sickly sweet smell to mouth)
renal disease (acidic, can smell)
stomatitis- infection, similar smell to dental problems

Question 13

Ascites

Answer 13

Leakage of fluid from blood into abdomen due to back pressure from failing heart or hypoalbuminemia

Question 14

Malabsorption

Answer 14

Not absorbing nutrients properly .. see more stool than usual , more nutrients present (diarrhea, flatulence)
Weight-loss and poor hair if chronic

Question 15

Blood in stools

Answer 15

Frank blood: red blood, large intestine (common with straining with diarrhea - burst blood vessels) .. could indicate bleeding disorder
Rare: Melena blood: dark/tarry blood, indicates digestive issues