Liver medicine

Question 1

Vomiting/anorexia

Answer 1

unrelated to eating
toxins stimulate chemoreceptor trigger zone
abnormal stimulation of autonomic system

Question 2

Diarrhoea

Answer 2

bile acid abnormalities and fat malabsorption
- animals with severe liver disease produce less bile acids, which are required for fat breakdown and abortions, hence there is more food in the GIT which can lead to hyper osmotic diarrhoea
- animals with portal hypertension have increased congestion of the intestine which results in decreased ability to absorb water from the GIT

Question 3

PU/PD

Question 4

Change in liver size/pain

Answer 4

Tumours
infiltration
congestion

Question 5

GI haemorrhage

Answer 5

ulcers from coagulopathy or decreased GI cell turnover

Question 6

Ascites

Answer 6

portal hypertension, as liver disease advances vascular changes occur leading to increased vascular resistance and results in portal pressures which results in ascites
- severe hypoproteinemia

Question 7

Acholic faeces

Answer 7

Obstruction extra-hepatic bile duct
Usually no bile in faeces and fat malabsorption

Question 8

Superficial necrolytic dermaittis

Question 9

Ammonia urate

Answer 9

Increased renal excretion
Dysuria

Question 10

hepatic encepahopathy

Answer 10

NH3 from normal metbaolism
Reduced ability to detoxify in urea cycle to form urea
Occurs in congenital shunts and those acquired due to liver disease

Question 11

Cholestasis

Answer 11

Failure to excrete bile

Question 12

Jaundice/icterus

Answer 12

increased circulating bilirubin