Pharmacology

Question 1

What are some non-specific therapy examples?

Answer 1

• Correction of fluid/electrolyte balance
• Resting GI tract through starvation
• Nutritional support e.g. commercial diets
• Bland diet modification
• Pain management

Question 2

What does severe/chronic vomiting lead to?

Answer 2

Loss of hydrogen ions causing metabolic alkalosis

Question 3

What is the purpose of a temporary bland diet modification?

Answer 3

• Supplies easily digested protein and carbohydrate

- Limits dietary fat which can cause diarrhoea

Question 4

Which pain management drugs are used for colic in horses?

Answer 4

NSAIDS - flunixin meglumine, dipyrone, phenylbutazone

Question 5

What are very strong pain killers?

Answer 5

Opiates - morphine, butorphanol

Question 6

What are the objectives of antacids?

Answer 6

• Inhibit acid secretion
• Neutralise existing acid
• Coat/protect the gastric/duodenal mucosa

Question 7

Name the acid secretion inhibitors

Answer 7

Histamine2 blocker

e.g. cimetidine, ranitidine

Question 8

What are examples of locally acting antacids that neutralise existing acid in the gut lumen?

Answer 8

Aluminium or magnesium salts

Question 9

What is the function of Sucralfate?

Answer 9

Gastric protective - viscous gel at pH < 4 – binds to ulcerated protein protecting from acid / pepsin

Question 10

What is the function of an emetic?

Answer 10

Stimulate vomiting

Question 11

How do emetics function?

Answer 11

• Vomiting triggered by vomiting centre

- Can be centrally or peripherally stimulated

Question 12

Give examples or centrally and peripherally acting emetics

Answer 12

Central = Apomorphine
Peripheral = NaCl

Question 13

What are the 3 different anti-emetics?

Answer 13

• Anti-histamines
• Anti-cholinergics
• Antidopaminergic agents

Question 14

How to antihistamines work as anti-emetics?

Answer 14

Block histaminergic and cholinergic afferent pathways from vestibular organs to vomiting centre

Question 15

How do anticholinergics work as anti-emetics?

Answer 15

Block cholinergic afferent pathways from GI tract to vomiting centre

Question 16

Give 3 examples of antidopaminergic agents

Answer 16

• Phenothiazines
• Metoclopramide
• Neurokinin-1 antagonists

Question 17

What are laxatives/cathartics used for?

Answer 17

• Relief of acute non-dietary constipation
• Removal of toxic ingestants
• Prevention of tenesmus
• Evacuation of bowel prior to surgery/radiography

Question 18

Name the lubricant used for constipation

Answer 18

Liquid paraffin

Question 19

What are the functions of irritant cathartic and give an example of them?

Answer 19

Stimulate peristalsis (movement of food aborally) & reduce fluid absorption
- Castor oil

Question 20

What are the functions of osmotic cathartics and give examples of them?

Answer 20

• Non-absorbable therefore osmotically retain water in intestinal lumen
• Magnesium sulphate
• Sodium sulphate

Question 21

How does lactulose work during constipation?

Answer 21

Osmotic cathartic

Lactulose metabolised by colonic bacteria into organic acids (lactic, formic, acetic) – increase osmotic pressure

Question 22

What must be corrected when a patient has diarrhoea, how is this done?

Answer 22

Dehydration

- oral rehydration therapy

Question 23

What is the function of opiates in treating diarrhoea?

Answer 23

Inhibit acetylcholine release – increased segmental contractions and decreased peristalsis slow transit time and increase water absorption

Question 24

What is the function of anti-cholinergic agents in treating diarrhoea?

Answer 24

• Inhibit propulsive and non-propulsive GI motility

- Also inhibit cholinergic-mediated basal secretions of GI tract

Question 25

Give 3 examples of opiates

Answer 25

• Diphenoxylate
• Loperamide
• Codeine

Question 26

When would appetite stimulants be used?

Answer 26

Anorexia is common in disease - an animal going off its food.
Malnutrition will exacerbate disease

Question 27

Give the 3 drug types used as appetite stimulants, with an example of each

Answer 27

• Benzodiazepines e.g. diazepam, oxazepam
• Cyproheptadine
• Glucocorticoids e.g. prednisolone, dexamethasone

Question 28

Compare a probiotic and a prebiotic

Answer 28

Probiotic = a sample of normal intestinal microbes
Prebiotic = substrates that promote normal intestinal microbes

Question 29

Give examples of drugs used as anti-inflammatories in bowel inflammation

Answer 29

• Sulfasalazine
• Olsalazine
• Tylosin
• Metronidazole

Question 30

What are pancreatic enzyme supplements used for?

Answer 30

Used in treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency - contains lipases, amylase, proteases

Question 31

What can be used in patients with hepatic encephalopathy to reduce blood ammonia levels?

Answer 31

Lactulose

Question 32

What are the 2 hepatobiliary cytoprotective agents?

Answer 32

S-adenosylmethionine
Silymarin
Vitamin E

Question 33

What is a consideration when giving oral medication to calves/lambs?

Answer 33

Oesophageal groove must be stimulated to ensure drugs bypass the developing rumino-reticulum

Question 34

The rumen should be at what pH for efficient fermentation?

Answer 34

5-5.7

Question 35

How can closure of the oesophageal groove be induced?

Answer 35

Warm milk
Sodium bicarbonate
Copper sulphate

Question 36

What can be used to treat mild cases of rumen acidosis?

Answer 36

Rumen antacids - aluminium hydroxide, calcium carbonate

Question 37

What is the function of rumen acidifiers?

Answer 37

• Treat excessive bicarbonate influx from hyper-salivation

- Used in acute urea poisoning by converting ammonia into ammonium which reduced absorption

Question 38

What different things are used in treating a medical colic?

Answer 38

• Anti-spasmodics = Butylscopolamine
• NSAIDS for pain
• Oral fluids for pelvic flexure impaction