Gastrointestinal Diseases Flashcards
Gastric Dilation +/- Volvulus (GDV)
What is the aetiology?
Not completely understood.
Large breed dogs, deep chested dogs commonly effected (Great Danes, Weimaraner’s, St Bernard and English Setters)
Some increased incidence if relatives have had GDV.
Fed once daily or history of recent large meal.
Exercise immediately before or after feeding (Possible associated with dry food)
Gastric Dilation +/- Volvulus (GDV)
What is the pathophysiology?
Stomach dilates and rotates into a twisted position where upon gas cannot escape.
Distension of the stomach fills the abdominal cavity putting pressure on the caudal vena cava and disrupting venous return to the heart.
Pressure on diaphragm may compromise breathing leading to poor ventilation and damage to body tissues.
Necrosis of gastric wall/splenic tissue can occur due to disruption of blood supply to these areas.
Gastric Dilation +/- Volvulus (GDV)
What are the clinical signs?
Restlessness
Retching
Anterior abdominal swelling
Dyspnoea
Collapse
Shock
Death
Gastric Dilation +/- Volvulus (GDV)
What are the diagnostic techniques?
History and clinical signs in predisposed breed.
(Tympany of abdomen)
Radiography needed to confirm existence of bloat and may be suggestive or torsion.
(Nature and extent confirmed at surgery)
Pancreatitis
What is the aetiology?
Often idiopathic though may be linked to:
- High fat diet
- Some drugs e.g. corticosteroids
- May occur secondary to trauma or certain toxins
Acute pancreatitis – dogs
Chronic pancreatitis – cats (cholangiohepatitis/ Irritable Bowel Disease) can lead to diabetes mellitus.
Pancreatitis
What is the pathophysiology?
Pancreatic enzymes are activated prematurely within the pancreas or are unable to exit into the duodenum.
The presence of these enzymes within pancreatic tissue results in auto-digestion of the pancreatic tissue.
This process causes inflammation and necrosis of the pancreas.
Pancreatitis
What are the clinical signs?
Acute:
Anterior abdominal pain – ‘praying position’
Vomiting
Depression
Anorexia
Shock
pyrexia
Dehydration
Chronic:
More vague and variable
Pancreatitis
What are the diagnostic techniques?
History and clinical signs
Physical examination
Spec cPL dogs, spec fPL cats – blood tests to measure serum pancreatic lipase which indicates pancreatic damage.
Trypsin-like immunoreactivity (TLI), amylase, lipase blood tests – less specific particularly in cats
Radiography – may be vague changes
Ultrasound – look at pancreatic tissue
Biopsy – if suspect neoplasia underlying
Haematology
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI)
What is the aetiology?
Atrophy of exocrine pancreatic cells caused by spontaneous atrophy or secondary to pancreatitis/trauma
May be inherited.
German shepherd and rough collie predisposed.
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI)
What is the pathophysiology?
Inadequate production of digestive enzymes due to atrophy of pancreatic exocrine cells.
Animal unable to digest foodstuffs fully, leading to high volume faeces containing undigested material.
Malabsorption leads to weight loss and increased appetite.
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI)
What are the clinical signs?
Polyphagic
Weight loss
Large faecal volume
Steatorrhoea and undigested material
Flatulence
Poor coat condition
Muscle wastage
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI)
What are the diagnostic techniques?
History and clinical signs.
Faecal examination.
Blood test; Serum Trypsin-like immunoreactivity – looking for low levels to confirm disease.
