GI Diseases Flashcards
GDV abbreviation
Gastric dilation / volvulus
GDV happens in …
Large and giant breed, deep-chested dogs
Volvulus
Twisted stomach
Enlarged stomach pushes on diaphragm —> dyspnea
Also pushes on caudal vena cava 🡪 shock
Dilation
stomach distends with air, food, fluid
GDV Clinical signs
Hypersalivation, nausea
Abdominal pain/distention
Increased HR/RR
Weakness, collapse
GDV Dx
Hx and PE
Radiographs 🡪 R lateral, air filled, boxing glove appearance
GDV Tx
Aggressive tx of schlock alleviate dissension
Surgical correction anitipbtocs /drug therapy
Aggressive tx of shock
1 jugular or 2 cephalic large gauge catheters
Shock dose fluids
Drug therapy
Alleviate distention
Stomach tube (dilatation only)
18-g needle trocar (emergency)
Surgical correction GDV
Untwist stomach
Stomach tube and gastric lavage
Gastropexy
GDV POSTOPERATIVE CARE
Monitor ECG
Pain management
Antibiotics
Monitor fluid and electrolyte balance
Drug therapy to control nausea and vomiting
Reintroduce food slowly
Client information GDV
Avoid feeding 1 meal per day
Limit exercise prior to and after eating
Gastropexy does not guarantee no future bloat episodes
Acute diarrhea
sudden onset, usually the result of a diet change, drug therapy, or any stress that may cause a disruption of the normal gut flora
Viral diarrhea
most commonly caused by parvovirus, distemper, coronavirus, or feline panleukopenia in young or unvaccinated animals
Bacterial diarrhea
invasion of and damage to the intestinal epithelium
Dietary intolerance/sensitivity diarrhea
immune-mediated (dietary sensitivity) nonimmunologic (dietary intolerance),
animal is unable to handle certain substances in their diet
Diarrhea dx
Hx and PE
Fecal exam +/- culture
ELISA testing for viruses/parasites
Dietary trial
Diarrhea tx
Supportive: fluid therapy, GI rest, diet change
Drug therapy: antibiotics, antiparasitic, intestinal adsorbents, GI protectants
Intussuaception occurs when …
the smaller, proximal segment of the intestine at the ileocecocolic junction invaginates into the larger, more distal segment of the large bowel*
Intussusception creates…
a partial to complete blockage 🡪 compromises blood supply 🡪 bowel necrosis*
Intussusception caused by
Idiopathic usually
But can occur due to parasitic infection, foreign bodies, infection and neoplasia
Dx Intussusception
Abdominal palpation
Abdominal ultrasound
Radiographs +/- contrast
Intussusception tx
Surgical
Drug therapy: antibiotics GI rest
Why is Intussusception more common at junction
Differentiation of size
Megacolon common in
Cats
Megacolon
Distention of the colon as a result of
obstipation (severe or complete
constipation)
Megacolon caused by
Thought to be caused by a defect in the neurostimulation mechanism that promotes colon evacuation
Megacolon clinical signs
Straining to defecate
Vomiting
Anorexia, dehydration
Weakness
Small, hard feces or liquid feces +/- blood and mucus
Megacolon dx
Radiography: colon width wider than the length of a lumbar vertebrae
Palpation of a distended colon filled with firm, packed forces
Megacolon medical tx
Drug therapy: stool softeners, GI stimulants
Enemas
Megacolon dietary tx
Increase fiber and water intake*
Megacolon tx by dvm
Deobstipation
Constipation
failure to or difficulty in passing feces*
Is constipation common
No
Constipation clinical signs
Straining to defecate
Anorexia +/- V
Passing small amounts of hard, dry stool
Constipation dx
Palpation – abdominal, rectal
Radiographs
Bloodwork – hydration, r/o disease
Constipation tx
Enema
Oral laxatives
Fluid therapy
Deobstipation
Leptospirosis zoonotic potentials
Zoonotic!
Companion animals are an
incidental host
Skunk, raccoon, opossum and pigs are the natural host
Leptospirosis bacteria comes from
Contaminated soil/water
Shed in urine of infected animals
Leptospirosis clinical signs
Acute renal failure
Vomiting, dehydration
Fever
PD
Jaundice
Reluctance to move
Leptospirosis dx
Serology
CBC/chem
Leptospirosis tx
-Supportive: IV fluids, +/- diuretics if oliguric -Antibiotics
Urinary catheter—reduce amount of contamin.
Feline Hepatic Lipidosis common in
Hepatopathy in cats
Feline Hepatic Lipidosis
Prolonged anorexia 🡪 peripheral fat breakdown 🡪 liver can’t process fats fast enough 🡪 accumulation of fats within the hepatocytes
Feline hepatic lipidosis clinical signs
Anorexic obese cat w/ weight loss
Depression
Sporadic vomiting
Icterus
Fel hepatic lipidosis dx
CBC/Chem: anemic,
neutrophilic,
radiographs
ultrasound
Liver biopsy
Fel hepatic lipidosis tx
Nutritive support: feeding tube placed
Drug therapy: IV fluids, anti-nausea, appetite stimulant
Monitoring:, assess bloodwork, assess feeding tube, decrease feedings to stimulate appetite
Portosystemic Shunts (Congenital)
Vascular communications between the portal and venous systems that allow blood to bypass the liver
Portosystemic Shunts (Congenital) types
Intrahepatic vs extrahepatic
Clinical signs CNS portisystemic shunts
anorexia, depression, lethargy, episodic weakness, ataxia, head-pressing, circling, pacing, blindness, seizures, coma
GI clinical signs of portosystemic shunt
V/D, stunted growth, PU/PD
Urinalysis clinical signs of portosystemic shunt
urate urolithiasis, hematuria
Dx of portosystemic shunt
CBC/Chem
Radiographs: small liver
Abdominal US: locate shunt
Portosystemic shunt tx medical
Low-protein diet, lactulose, fluids,
antibiotics
Pancreatitis
Digestive enzymes are activated w/in the gland 🡪 autodigestion 🡪 inflammation, tissue damage
Clinical signs of pancreatitis
Obesity
Depression, anorexia, V +/- D Dehydration
Fever
+/- abdominal pain
Pancreatitis caused by
drugs, disruption of GI flora, parasites, tumors, trauma
Pancreatitis dx
CBC/Chem, pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (PLI)
Pancreatitis tx
GI rest: 3-4 days
Fluids and electrolytes
Drug therapy: pain, antibiotics, anti-emetics, GI protectants
Perineal hernia
Neurogenic atrophy of the levator ani muscle
herniation of the rectum and
other pelvic organs in ischiorectal fossa
Perineal hernia common in
intact male dogs >8 years old
Perineal hernia clinic signs
perineal swelling
Tenesmus (frequent need to defecate)
Dyschezia (painful/difficult defecation)
urethral obstruction if bladder involvement
Perineal hernia dx
Reveal palpation
Perineal hernia tx
Medical: stool softeners, enemas
Surgical: herniorrhaphy, castration
