Gastroenterology 2 AI Flashcards
How soon can neurological improvement be seen after administering a lactulose enema?
Neurological improvement may be seen within a 2-hour period.
When is oral administration of lactulose recommended?
Oral administration of lactulose is recommended when the patient is more stable.
What is the recommended dosage for oral administration of lactulose?
The dosage varies from 2.5-25 ml/kg orally q8h.
What is the purpose of administering oral antibiotics in patients with HE?
The purpose is to decrease the numbers of urease-producing bacteria in the GI tract and reduce the production of certain compounds by bacteria.
What are some antibiotics that have been successfully used in HE patients?
Metronidazole, amoxicillin, and neomycin have all been used successfully.
When should neomycin be avoided in HE patients?
Neomycin should be avoided if there is any evidence of intestinal bleeding, ulceration, or renal failure.
Which organs have extensive presence of Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)?
skeletal muscle cells, heart, kidney, and brain
Where is most of the Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) found within hepatocytes?
mostly mitochondrial bound
What do elevations of Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) crudely correlate with?
degree of hepatocellular damage
What is Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) associated with and where is it found?
microsomal induction, found within the biliary canaliculi membrane
What causes elevations in Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)?
cholestasis or drug induction
In which animals is Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) found in bone, kidney, placenta, intestine, and liver?
dogs
What is Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) important for?
amino acid transport across cell membranes, detoxification of chemicals, and glutathione metabolism
Where is the highest concentration of Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) found in the dog and cat?
pancreas and kidney
What is the normal width of the gallbladder wall in dogs?
2–3 mm
What is the normal width of the gallbladder wall in cats?
less than 1 mm
What percentage of clinically healthy cats had a non-visible gallbladder wall on ultrasound?
59.10%
What can cause gallbladder wall thickening?
inflammation, edema, cystic mucosal hyperplasia, or neoplasia
What is the normal diameter of the common bile duct in dogs and cats?
3–4 mm
What is the common bile duct diameter in cats with extrahepatic biliary obstruction?
wider than 5 mm
What is the reported prevalence of gallbladder sludge in clinically healthy animals?
53–57%
What is the most common breed affected by gallbladder sludge in dogs?
Labrador Retrievers, Yorkshire Terriers, Miniature Schnauzers, Beagles, Cocker Spaniels, Poodles, and crossbreeds
What are some specific treatments for drug intoxications?
Specific treatments for drug intoxications may include S-Adenosyl methionine (SAMe), vitamin E, silymarin, and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC).
What is the prognosis for acute hepatitis?
Many cases of acute hepatitis can be rapidly fatal. Severe hepatitis can cause hepatic encephalopathy, bleeding tendencies, hypoglycemia, DIC, and death. However, with prompt and aggressive therapy, mild to moderate cases of hepatitis can result in a full recovery.
What is Canine Infectious Hepatitis (CIH) caused by?
Canine Infectious Hepatitis (CIH) is caused by a non-enveloped double-stranded DNA virus called canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1).
How is Canine Infectious Hepatitis (CIH) transmitted?
Infection occurs through the ingestion of infected urine, feces, or saliva. The virus can be excreted in the urine for up to 6 months post-infection.
What are some clinical signs of Canine Infectious Hepatitis (CIH) in dogs?
Dogs often present with pyrexia and may have unilateral or bilateral corneal opacities (‘blue eye’). Petechial hemorrhages are common, while jaundice is uncommon.
What are the main sites of viral replication in Canine Infectious Hepatitis (CIH)?
Hepatic and renal parenchyma are the main sites of viral replication in Canine Infectious Hepatitis (CIH).
What is the mortality rate of Canine Infectious Hepatitis (CIH) in mature dogs?
The mortality rate of Canine Infectious Hepatitis (CIH) in mature dogs is often quoted to range from 10 to 30%.
What is the most common cause of acute hepatitis in dogs?
Leptospirosis is probably the most common cause of acute hepatitis in dogs. It is caused by the spirochaetal bacterium from the genus Leptospira.
What is fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) used for?
Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a tissue staining technique used to locate and identify bacteria within formalin fixed tissues.
Which organisms were most commonly identified in cats with inflammatory liver disease?
Escherichia coli, Streptococcus spp., and Enterococcus spp. were the most common organisms identified in cats with inflammatory liver disease.
What antibiotics are recommended for moderate-to-severe cases of inflammatory liver disease in cats?
Metronidazole, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, cephalosporins, or fluoroquinolones should be considered in these cases, ideally based on culture results.
What is the recommended treatment for cats with lymphocytic cholangitis?
Cats with lymphocytic cholangitis will generally require prednisolone therapy and sometimes even immunosuppressive therapy such as chlorambucil.
What supportive treatments are recommended for cats with inflammatory liver disease?
Supportive treatments include analgesia, fluid therapy, anti-emetics, vitamin supplementation, and nutritional support.
What is triaditis in cats?
Triaditis refers to a combination of three disease processes in cats including pancreatitis, cholangitis, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
What is the coexistence rate of feline cholangitis with pancreatitis and IBD?
The coexistence of feline cholangitis with pancreatitis and IBD has been reported in 17-39% of cats examined.
What factors may contribute to ascending bacterial infections in both the liver and pancreas of cats?
The feline gastrointestinal (GI) tract anatomy, including the joining of the pancreatic duct with the bile duct and the shorter length of the small intestine in cats, may contribute to ascending bacterial infections in both the liver and pancreas.
What are the recommended dosage and administration instructions for SAMe?
SAMe is recommended at a dosage of 20 mg/kg PO q 24 h on an empty stomach.
What are the potential side effects of SAMe in dogs and cats?
SAMe has rarely been reported to have side effects in dogs or cats other than causing occasional nausea, vomiting, and a decreased appetite.
What is the clinical benefit of SAMe according to the available evidence?
The clinical benefit of SAMe has not been rigorously investigated, although a few clinical trials in humans suggest benefit in improving biochemical tests of liver function, but not in overall outcome.
What is the role of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in liver injury treatment?
NAC helps replenish hepatic intracellular cysteine and glutathione concentrations, providing protection against oxidative injury.
What is the recommended dosage and administration instructions for N-acetylcysteine (NAC)?
NAC is usually given as a 10% solution diluted 1 to 2 with saline as an IV bolus over 20 minutes through a 0.25 micron non-pyrogenic in-line filter at a dosage of 140 mg/kg initially followed by dosages of 70 mg/kg q 8-12 h.
What is the most common use of intravenous NAC in dogs and cats?
Intravenous NAC has been most commonly used to treat acetaminophen intoxication in dogs and cats.
What is the main active component of silymarin and what effects does it have?
Silibinin is the most abundant and biologically active component of silymarin and is thought to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, and choleretic effects.
What is the usual dosage of alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) for dogs and cats?
Alpha-tocopherol is usually given at a dosage of 10-15 IU/kg PO q 24 h to dogs and cats.
According to the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) Liver Standardisation Group, how is cholangitis classified in dogs?
Cholangitis is classified into four groups: neutrophilic cholangitis, lymphocytic cholangitis, destructive cholangitis, and chronic cholangitis associated with liver fluke infestation.
What are the two forms of hepatitis seen predominantly in dogs?
The two forms of hepatitis seen predominantly in dogs are acute and chronic forms.
What are the possible causes of acute hepatitis?
Possible causes of acute hepatitis include chemicals/toxins, drugs, viruses, bacteria, and mycotoxins.
What clinical signs may be seen in cases of acute hepatitis?
Clinical signs in cases of acute hepatitis can include lethargy, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, pyrexia, abdominal pain, and jaundice.
How is a diagnosis of acute hepatitis made?
A diagnosis is based on the clinical presentation, results of serum biochemistry, and ultimately from liver biopsy.
What is the recommended treatment for acute hepatitis?
Treatment involves addressing or removing the underlying cause (if known) and providing supportive treatment for the liver.
Which types of cholangitis are found almost exclusively in cats?
Neutrophilic and lymphocytic cholangitis are found almost exclusively in cats.
What are the possible causes of vacuolar hepatopathy?
The possible causes of vacuolar hepatopathy include high concentration of corticosteroids, deficiency or toxicosis, hepatic insult from another disease process, lysosomal storage diseases, and hepatic hypoxia or intoxication.
How can vacuolar hepatopathy lead to hepatocyte death?
If hepatocyte swelling is severe and chronic, it can cause hepatocyte death, fibrosis, and even cirrhosis.
What breed is associated with glycogen-like vacuolar hepatopathy?
Scottish Terriers are associated with glycogen-like vacuolar hepatopathy.
What are the clinical signs of glycogen-like vacuolar hepatopathy in Scottish Terriers?
Clinical signs of glycogen-like vacuolar hepatopathy in Scottish Terriers include hepatomegaly, pot-bellied appearance, polydipsia, and polyuria.
What is the most common primary liver tumor in dogs?
The most common primary liver tumor in dogs is hepatocellular carcinoma.
What are the clinical signs of liver neoplasia in animals?
Clinical signs of liver neoplasia in animals include reduced appetite, weight loss, lethargy, depression, reluctance to exercise, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal enlargement, and jaundice.
What is the treatment of choice for primary liver tumors?
The treatment of choice for primary liver tumors is surgical removal, although it may not always be possible.
How can nodular hyperplasia be differentiated from neoplasia?
Nodular hyperplasia, a condition common in older dogs, can be difficult to differentiate from neoplasia. Ultrasound can be used to identify hypoechoic nodules.
What is the prognosis for cats with triaditis?
Prognosis is fair and patients can make a complete recovery with appropriate treatment, (4-6 weeks of the appropriate antibiotic).
What is the characteristic inflammatory infiltrate in lymphocytic cholangitis?
Lymphocytic cholangitis is characterized by infiltration of lymphocytes and plasma cells confined around portal areas with variable degrees of fibrosis and biliary hyperplasia.
What are the clinical signs of lymphocytic cholangitis?
Clinical signs of lymphocytic cholangitis are similar to neutrophilic disease and include anorexia, lethargy, vomiting, and weight loss.
What are the typical laboratory abnormalities seen in lymphocytic cholangitis?
Typical laboratory abnormalities include variable lymphocytosis, elevations in serum ALT, AST, total bilirubin, and hypergammaglobulinemia.
What are the diagnostic findings for lymphocytic cholangitis?
Diagnostic findings include typical laboratory abnormalities, abdominal radiography confirming free abdominal fluid and hepatomegaly, and ultrasonography demonstrating diffuse heterogeneous hepatic echogenicity with segmental dilatations in intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts.
What is the third distinct type of feline cholangitis associated with?
The third distinct type of feline cholangitis is chronic cholangitis associated with infection by liver flukes (family Opisthorchiidae).
What is the management of cholangitis based on?
The management of cholangitis is based in part on culture results and histopathology.
What is the recommended duration of antibiotic therapy for neutrophilic cholangitis?
In general, a 4-week course of antibiotic therapy is indicated for neutrophilic cholangitis, with the acute form usually responding more quickly than chronic cases.
What is the definitive proof of infection for leptospirosis?
A positive culture of biological samples (blood, urine, tissue) is the definitive proof of infection for leptospirosis.
Why is culturing leptospires difficult?
Culturing leptospires is difficult because it requires up to six months and is not routinely performed by diagnostic laboratories.
What is the recommended diagnostic tool for detecting leptospiral DNA?
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is currently one of the most useful diagnostic tools for detecting leptospiral DNA.
What is the optimal treatment for leptospirosis?
The optimal treatment for leptospirosis is unknown.
What are the antimicrobials of choice for treating leptospirosis in humans and dogs?
Penicillins or doxycycline traditionally have been the antimicrobials of choice for treatment of humans and dogs with leptospirosis.
What is the consensus panel’s recommendation for treating canine leptospirosis?
The consensus panel recommends treatment of canine leptospirosis with doxycycline, 5mg/kg PO or IV q12h for 2 weeks.
What medication can be used to treat dogs with leptospirosis if doxycycline administration is not possible?
If doxycycline administration is not possible, dogs with leptospirosis can be treated with ampicillin, 20mg/kg IV q6h, with dose reduction for azotaemic dogs.
What is the most common canine chronic hepatopathy?
Chronic hepatitis is the most common canine chronic hepatopathy.
What is cholecystitis?
Cholecystitis is used to define both inflammatory conditions of the gallbladder and gallbladder-related symptoms in the absence of gallstones.
What are some predisposing factors for the development of cholecystitis?
Bile stasis, gallbladder mucocoeles, ascending bacterial or parasitic diseases, and biliary neoplasia are predisposing factors for the development of cholecystitis.
What is necrotising cholecystitis?
Necrotising cholecystitis is a more severe form of cholecystitis, often referred to as a separate disease, and has a higher mortality rate.
What is the mainstay of medical therapy for cholecystitis?
Intravenous fluids, antibiotics, and analgesia are considered the mainstay of medical therapy for cholecystitis.
When is cholecystectomy considered in the treatment of cholecystitis?
Cholecystectomy may have to be considered in severe cases of cholecystitis or in patients with bile peritonitis.
What are some recognized tumors of the biliary tree?
Biliary cystadenomas and biliary adenocarcinomas are recognized tumors of the biliary tree.
What is the second most common form of liver disease in cats?
Feline cholangitis is the second most common form of liver disease in cats, after hepatic lipidosis.
What are the most common bacterial isolates in neutrophilic cholangitis in cats?
The most common bacterial isolates in neutrophilic cholangitis in cats are Escherichia coli, Streptococcus spp., Clostridium spp., and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium.
What are choleliths?
Choleliths are commonly recognized abnormalities of the gallbladder.
Which dogs are predisposed to choleliths?
Older female dogs, particularly Miniature Schnauzers and Miniature Poodles, are predisposed to choleliths.
What factors may promote the formation of choleliths?
Factors that may promote the formation of choleliths include gallbladder dyskinesia, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperbilirubinemia, endocrine disease, and cholesterol absorption.
What are choledocholiths?
Choledocholiths are stones in the common bile duct.
How are acute obstructing choleliths usually treated?
Medical dissolution is not recommended, and treatment is aimed at supportive care until the stone or stones pass, with intravenous fluids, antibiotics, and analgesia for mild to moderate biliary obstruction.
What surgical procedures are commonly used for severe obstruction in choleliths?
Cholecystectomies and choledochotomies are the treatments of choice, while other procedures such as cholecystoduodenostomy may be necessary depending on factors like viability of the bile ducts and location of the biliary obstruction.
What is the most common gallbladder disorder in dogs?
Gallbladder mucocoeles are the most common gallbladder disorder in dogs.
What factors are known to predispose dogs to gallbladder mucocoeles?
Known predisposing factors for gallbladder mucocoeles include dyslipidaemias, dysmotility of the gallbladder, endocrine disease, and exogenous steroid administration.
What is cholangitis?
Cholangitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the bile ducts.
What are the common causes of feline mortality?
Cholangitis is not a common cause of feline mortality.
What is the relationship between cholangitis and concurrent disease in cats?
Most cats that succumb to cholangitis have a concurrent disease.
What is the potential correlation between the severity of IBD lesions and the number of comorbidities?
A mild, positive correlation was detected between the severity (score) of IBD lesions and the number of comorbidities.
How can vomiting contribute to pancreatitis and biliary tree infection?
Vomiting can cause reflux of duodenal juice into the pancreatic and bile duct, spreading enteric bacteria into the pancreas and biliary tree.
What is the most common liver disease in cats?
Hepatic lipidosis is the most common liver disease in cats.
What are the potential causes of hepatic lipidosis in cats?
Hepatic lipidosis can be primary or secondary to other diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and neoplastic diseases.
What is the mechanism behind the development of hepatic lipidosis in cats?
The development of hepatic lipidosis in cats is likely multifactorial, with increased insulin resistance and the release of free fatty acids playing a role.
What are some possible observations in a cat with hepatic lipidosis?
Elevations of liver enzymes and bilirubin, disproportionate increase in ALP compared to GGT, hypercholesterolemia, hypoalbuminemia, hyperammonemia, prolonged PT or APTT, and a homogenous hyperechoic hepatic parenchyma on ultrasound.
What is the recommended diagnostic test for a definitive diagnosis of hepatic lipidosis?
Histologic assessment of a tissue biopsy, preferably an ultrasound-guided core biopsy or a wedge biopsy.
What is the significance of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) in diagnosing hepatic lipidosis?
FNA with cytologic evaluation of smears has been unreliable in some cases and can even lead to a false diagnosis of feline hepatic lipidosis (FHL).
What is the most important factor affecting prognosis in cats with hepatic lipidosis?
Early intensive feeding, usually requiring some form of tube feeding.
What is the recommended method of feeding in cats with hepatic lipidosis?
Tube feeding, which may be required for 4-6 weeks.
Why are appetite stimulants not effective in cats with hepatic lipidosis?
They are not effective enough in stimulating appetite in affected cats.
What should be added to the tube feed for cats with hepatic lipidosis?
Potassium chloride and, if necessary, potassium or sodium phosphate.
Why should serum phosphate and potassium levels be monitored in affected cats?
To avoid the re-feeding syndrome, which can lead to a precipitous drop in serum phosphate and potassium resulting in haemolysis.
What are the beneficial properties of UDCA?
- Antioxidant
- Choleretic
- Immunomodulatory
- Anti-inflammatory
What is the recommended dosage of UDCA for dogs and cats?
10-15 mg/kg PO q 24 h
What are the potential side effects of UDCA?
Occasional diarrhea