Small Mammal GI Disease Flashcards
What type of GI tract do small herbivores have?
Hindgut fermenter
What does caecotrophy mean?
Food must go through gut twice to get maimum nutritional value therefore animals must eat caecotrophs (faecal balls coated in mucus).
Which small mammal species cannot vomit?
Rabbits and rodents
There are two types of fibre needed in a small mammal diet, what are they and why are they needed?
Indigestible fibre - stimulates gut motility and dental wear
Digestible fibre - fermented by GI bacteria to produce fatty acids
What part of the GI tract controls large intestinal motility in small mammals?
Fusus coli
What does the fusus coli do?
Separates indigestible and digestible fibre. Sends digestible back to caecum for fermentation.
What nutritional elements do caecotrophs provide?
microbial protein, fatty acids and vit B & K
What do rodents need supplementing?
Vit B
Which antibiotics can kill rodents and rabbits if given orally?
Penicllins Lincosamides Aminoglycosides Cephalosporins Eyrthromycin
Is gut stasis serious in hindgut fermenters?
YES - can be fatal
What are some causes or influencing factors on gut stasis?
Stress Dehydration Anorexia Pain Toxin Ingestion Insufficent Fibre Primary GI Disease
What are the 5 stages of stabilising a rabbit with gut stasis?
Warmth Fluid Therapy Nutrition Gut Stimulants Analgesia
What is a normal temperature for a rabbit?
38 - 39.5 Degrees C
What is maintenance fluids for a rabbit?
<100ml/kg/day
If you are giving SQ fluids to a rabbit what should you do to make it more effective?
Warm
Add hyaluronidase
What are the nutritional needs of a rabbit with gut stasis?
50ml/kg/ day split into 3-5 feeds
What 3 different gut stimulants can you use in gut stasis?
Metoclop
Ranitidine
Cisapride
How does Metaclop work in gut stasis?
prokinetic effects due to ACh release
works on oesophagus, stomach and small intestine
No/little effect on colon
How does Ranitidine work in gut stasis?
AChesterase inhibition
Works on proximal GI but also on colon (maybe)
MOST USEFUL
How does cisapride work in gut stasis?
works on seratonin receptors to indirectly stimulate Ach release
more potent than metaclop
works on oesophagus, stomach and small intestine
Which modes of analgesia can be used in gut stasis?
NSAIDS
Opiods
Which is the NSAID of choice in Gut Stasis?
Meloxicam
- must be hydrated
- consider using gastroprotectants with this
What is the Opiod of choice in Gut Stasis?
Bupe
DDx for diarrhoea in small mammals
Cocci Diet Antimicrobial Use Post Weaning Bacterial Enteritis Viral Enteritis
