Gastrointestinal system & gastrointestinal emergencies Flashcards
What are the general causes of abdominal pain?
Distension of organ or organ capsule
Ischaemia
Traction
Inflammation due to underlying disease
Not treating issues relating to the abdomen can lead to?
Necrosis of tissue and loss of function of the abdominal organs and may result in SIRS, sepsis and MODS
What is a predisposed condition often found in young GSD that have pancreatic exocrine insufficiency?
mesenteric volvulus
A patient with both an increase in PCV and TP is likely to be what?
Dehydrated
A normal or increased PCV with a normal to low TP indicates?
Protein loss from the vasculature, acute abdomen, peritonitis, HGE.
A parallel decrease in PCV and TP indicates?
Haemorrhage (initially PCV may be normal or elevated and TP normal or reduced due to splenic contraction)
Which of PCV and TP is a more sensitive indicator of acute blood loss?
TP
Why may a patient have high glucose associated with an acute condition of the abdomen?
Diabetes, transient diabetes associated with pancreatitis, stress
Why may a patient have a low glucose associated with an acute condition of the abdomen
sepsis (not generally extremely low), hypoadrenocorticism
Loss of kidney detail, ‘streaky’ appearance or distension in the retroperitoneal area may indicate?
A space occupying lesion
Gas in the peritoneum on lateral or horizontal beam radiograph may indicate
GI perforation
Ruptured urinary bladder
Extension of a pneumomediastinum
Segmental gas or fluid distension in the small intestines is suggestive of
Gastrointestinal obstruction
Normal diameter of the small intestine
Dogs: 2-3X width a rib or no more than the width of an intercostal space
Cats: <2X the height of the central portion of L4 or 12mm
* all areas of the small intestine should be the same diameter
Modified transudate
Cells 300-5500/uL, protein 3-5g/dL, ND neutrophils, mesothelial cells, lymphocytes, RBC, macrophages
Congestion, RHSHF, liver disease, heartworm, neoplasia
Exudate
Cloudy or blood, protein >3g/dL, cells >5000-7000/uL, likely neutrophils +++, +- bacteria
Haemorrhage, septic peritonitis
Pathophysiology of pancreatitis
(diagram in notebook)
Common lab findings with pancreatitis
Increased liver enzymes + Tbil
Increased triglycerides, cholesterol etc
Neutrophilic leukocytes is or neutropaenia (often with left shift)
Increase/positive cPLI
Hypoalbuminaemia
+- anaemia and thrombocytopaenia
Low electrolytes
Elevated coags
Haemoconcentration
Ultrasound findings of patients with pancreatitis
Enlarged hypoechoic pancreas
Dilated pancreatic duct
Free fluid (often inflammatory)
Hepatobiliary dz
Thromboses/organ infarcts
+- masses
Biochemical marker for pancreatitis
CRP best we have so far
Treatment of pancreatitis
Early enteral feeding
Pain relief (opiates and lidocaine +- ketamine)
AM therapy if severe or concerns for bacteria
Eliminate underlying cause
Aggressive fluid resuscitation, consider colloids
Management of underlying illnesses
+- oxygen therapy
+- FFP (a-macroglobulins)
Frequent blood testing (pcv/ts, VBG, lytes, lactate, albumin, renal function, coags, glucose)
Intensive patient monitoring
Supplement electrolytes as needed (avoid Ca unless titanic otherwise promote ROS and free rads)
+- LD dopamine for haemodynamic support and may reduce microvascular permeability
Other supportive therapies
Why is early nutrition a must in pancreatitis
Those with SAP are in a catabolic state
Improves mucosal structure and function
Reduces chances of bacterial translocation
* if ileus or vomiting trickle feeds preferred
* supplement with glutamine
* watch for refereeing syndrome
Acute cholecystitis
Shetland sheepdogs and cocker spaniels are over represented
It is not always accompanied with inflammation
Bacterial (bacteria, parasites) or obstructive (mucocele, infarction) in nature
Signs of acute cholecystitis
Anorexia
Vomiting and diarrhoea
Abdominal pain
Increased ++ liver and biliary enzymes
Abnormal appearance of GB on imaging
Bacterial cholecystitis
Often caused by bacteria such as E. coli, clostridium, enterococcus, bacteroides and may be due to reflux of duodenal fluid or through portal system.
- Gas within the gall bladder indicates a gas forming bacteria present such as E. Coli or clostridium
Overall survival with either medical management or pref surgery = 61-82%