GI disease Flashcards
Classifications of GI disease
By anatomical location
Functional vs mechanical
Increased motility, decreased motility, altered digestion, altered absorption
Intestinal accidents, obstructions, chock and fistulas ……
Congenital vs acquired
Inflammatory vs Non-inflammatory
Infectious vs noninfectious
Halitosis
Bad breath
Dysphagia
Difficulty swallowing
Oral masses
Relatively common in dogs and cats
May or may not be malignant
Common masses are
Epulis
Squamous cell carcinoma
Oral melanoma
Fibrosarcoma
Oral papilloma
Stomatitis is and causes
Inflammation of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity
Causes
Trauma uremia
Periodontal disease
Autoimmune disease
Infection
Oronasal fistulas etiology
Congenital: cleft palate
Acquired: trauma, base narrow lower canine teeth, periodontal disease or iatrogenic
Clinical signs of oronasal fistulas
Clinical signs/complications depend on the cause of the fistulas
Asymptomatic
Tooth root abscess → may extend into nasal cavity and cause rhinitis and nasal d/c
Pain
Aspiration pneumonia
Congenital cleft palate causes, c/s and treatment
May include the lip, hard and soft palate
Occurs in all veterinary species
Several causes
Brachycephalic breeds, folate deficiency, teratogens
Clinical signs?
Trouble nursing
Milk coming out of nose
Treatment
Stomach tube neonates to prevent aspiration pneumonia and ensure caloric requirements are met
Surgical repair
THESE ANIMALS SHOULD NOR BE BRED!!!!!
Regurgitation is
a passive process. The food has not reached the stomach. Bile is never present, there are no pro-dromal signs. The glottis does not automatically close
This can cause aspiration pneumonia and choking
Vomiting def
an active process. There are abdominal contractions prior to and during vomiting. Bile may be present in the vomitus. Glostic closes
Regurgitation can be caused by
Esophageal motility problem
Megaesophagus
Congenital vs acquired
Diaphragmatic herniation of the stomach
Esophageal obstruction
Esophageal foreign body/ “Choke” in horses
GDV (gastric dilatation and volvulus)
Esophageal strictures
Vomiting can be caused by
Dogs, cats and pigs
Several underlying causes- may be a primary GI problem or secondary to an issue somewhere else in the body
Some animals are more prone to vomiting while other have “gut of steel”
Cats will vomit if you look at them funny, or are upset with you, or you didn’t get them the “good” treats
Horses, ruminants and some exotic pets can not vomit
Hematemesis
Vomiting up blood
Common causes of vomiting
Dietary indiscretion
Gastroenteritis
Infections
Parasites
Pancreatic disease
GI foreign body
Dietary intolerance
Renal disease
Liver disease
Side effect of many medications
Toxicities
Neoplasia
Diagnostics to determine what is wrong when vomit/regurg
Dependent on signalment, history, clinical signs and physical exam findings
May include
Labwork
Imaging
+/- contrast studies
Diet trials
Exploratory laparotomy
Biopsies
Treating vomit
Depends on underlying causes
Address the primary problem
Anti-emetics
Fluid support if indicated
Bland diets
Surgery if indicated
Specific medications
Treatment for regurg
Feeding in an upright position
Feeding “meatballs”
Surgery
Medications
Acute abdomen is
Severe abdominal pain
Fast onset
The more severe the pain the worse the prognosis, and the higher the likelihood that surgery will be indicated
May be accompanied by vomiting in small animal species
Perception of pain in the abdomen
Pain perception in the abdomen is very different than on the surface of the body
Pain is perceived with:
Distension or spasm of the GI tract- very intense pain
Traction
Torsion
Inflammation of the GI tract or peritoneum (peritonitis)
Vascular compromise
Causes of acute abdomen
Severe enteritis
GI foreign body/Impaction
GI torsion or entrapment
Performing GI ulcers
Pancreatitis
Peritonitis
Urolithiasis
Liver disease
Pyometra
Treatment for acute abdomen
Medical vs surgical management
Pain control
Circulatory support - IVF
Other medications
Dietary management
Stool softening agents
Magnesium sulfate orally
Mineral oil orally
Oral or IV fluids
Primary causes of peritonitis
Virus or bacteria gains entry through the gut or respiratory tract
It travels through the blood and localizes the peritoneum
Other membranes (pericardium, pleura and joints) may also be affected
Secondary causes of peritonitis
Perforating ulcer
Devitalized gut
Organ rupture
Egg yolk peritonitis in birds
Pancreatitis
Clinical signs of peritonitis
Abdominal pain
Reluctance to move
Abdominal distension
Fever
Anorexia
Depression
Increased HR
May be difficult to differentiate from back pain
Paralytic Ileus is caused by
Temporary cessation of peristalsis
Caused by:
Handling of the GIT
Peritonitis
Electrolyte imbalances (low K or Ca)