Smallies GI Flashcards
How does intestinal transit time of small herbivores differ to other hidgut fermenters?
Faster GI transit time to stay light and escape predators more efficiently
Can rabbits and rodents vomit?
No
What are the 2 forms of fibre?
Indigestible (stimulates gut, dental wear)
Digestable (fermented by bacteria to produce fatty acids)
How does the size of the thorax in small herbbivores compare with dogs and cats?
Much smaller - almost entire abdomen is gut contents
Why may the stomach be difficult to visualise on endoscopy?
Always food in the stomach
Where is the “pacemaker of the gut”?
Fusus coli - between proximal and distal colon junction
What to colonic contractions function to do?
Separate indigestible fibre -> produce >150 pellets per day, while digestable fibre washed back to ceacum for fermentation
When and how are ceacotrophs produced? What nutrients do they provide second time round? `
3-8 hours after eating, ceacum contracts, ceacotrophs produced coated in mucus
- provide microbial protein, B and K vits, FAs
Which animals still require external sources of B vitamins even if eating ceacotrophs?
Rodents
What may owners confuse ceacotrophs for?
Diarrhoea
Why are some antibiotics so dangerous to give to small herbivores?
- reduce some intestinal bacteria, allow overgrowth of others eg. Clostridium -> toxin production and death
Which antibiotics should NEVER be given to small herbivores
PLACE
- Penicillins
- Lincosamides
- Aminoglycosides
- Cephalosporins
- Erythromycin
What eception may PLACE antibiotics be given to small furries?
If given as injectables not orall y
Is gut stasis a disease?
No, clinical sign
What is gut stasis usually associated with?
Anorexia and dehydration - either as a cause or consequence
Give 7 causes of gut stasis
- Stress
- Pain
- Anorexia
- 1* GI disease
- Toxin ingestion
- Insufficient fibre
- Dehydration `
How is the problem of gut stasis defined, refined etc.?
Problem: complete or partial obstruction? +- anorexia?
System - 1* or 2* GI ?
Location: Proximal or distal GI ?
Lesion:? May not be investigated fully
What 3 aspects of the history are of particular importance when defining the problem of gut stasis?
- Husbandry history (Indoor/outdoor -toxins, predators, weather, FBs?)
- Diet (Probe! Owners will say what you want to hear)
- Medical history (DUDE?)
What 2 aspects of the physical exam may be slightly modified for small herbivores cf. dogs/cats
Otoscope for thorough oral exam
Listen to gut sounds like a horse
When would 1* GI disease be suspected?
- history of poor diet/change
- abnormality palpated in gut
- onset of gut stasis PREceded by signs of malaise (depression/anorexia etc.)
When would 2* GI disease be suspected
- history of stress
- obvious source of pain
What is the usual plan of action for an animal with gut stasis?
Admit for supportive care and diagnostics
- euthanasia may have to be considered
- ex lap if FB suspected