Treatments Of Digestive Tract

Question 1

Home vomiting therapy

Answer 1

Every clinic has a protocol for conservative therapy of vomiting

Usually includes a period of fasting followed by tiny servings of water or ice chips every 2-3 hours
Eventually you add small amounts of bland diet 12-24 hours following last episode of vomiting
Very small amounts of food for 4-6 hours for 24hours then slow return back to normal diet
Chicken/hamburger with rice

Recheck if if vomiting persists despite fasting

Question 2

Home diarrhea therapy

Answer 2

Similar to vomiting therapy
Rest intestinal tract by fasting for 24hours
Allow pet to drink as much as they want then start feeding an intestinal diet (3-4 small meals a day) for 2 days
Slowly switch back to normal diet
Seek vet care if diarrhea continues, blood in stool, depressed pet, lethargic or fever

Question 3

Intestinal diets

Answer 3

Gastro, ID, low residue, Purina EN
Every company has a highly digestive low residue bland diet
Crackers/broth and rice/chicken can be used instead

Question 4

Coating agents

Answer 4

Similar to kaopectate / pepto bismal
These agents coat the intestinal tract
Aspirin can be dangerous to pets but can be taken in small doses .. do not give if concern for ulcers or on NSAIDS and steroids
Cats can take 1/8 a pill of aspirin every 3 days
Kaopectate: contains aspirin .. limits intestinal secretions , reduces inflammation and reduces infections.
Pepto bismol- inhibits/slows growth of bacteria/infections

Question 5

Pro biotic

Answer 5

Healthy bacteria packaged in powder or capsules which resist digestion in the stomach and colonize the colon
Eg fortiflora

Promote good bacteria to compete with bad bacteria and reduce overgrowth/infections.

Question 6

Antibiotics

Answer 6

Useful for serious bacterial infections but side affects substantial
Upset normal flora in colon
Resistance to antibiotics
Gastroenteritis
-finish entire course of meds, stop meds if vomiting or diarrhea and contact clinic
Storage and handling instructions
Can cause anorexia/allergic reactions
Oral/injection 12hours apart 2x a day… 3x a day every 8 hours.

Question 7

Anti parasitic medications

Answer 7

Commonly used to prevent shedding of roundworm eggs in puppies and kittens
No magic bullet that kills all parasites
Meds should be specifically designed for parasites in question
Some topical, some oral
May need to check fecal float or test when done course

Question 8

Enzyme supplements

Answer 8

Replacement medication for animals that have reduced amount of enzymes in pancreas
Most common for enzyme pancreatic insufficiency.
May use cobalamin (vitamin b12) if pet deficient.
Injections

Question 9

Emetics

Answer 9

Used to induce vomiting
Includes salt, hydrogen peroxide, apomorhine
All have potential side effects , totally contraindicated in unconscious animal that have ingested corrosive material
Never instruct owners to give emetics
Can be given instructions over phone via vet. Hydrogen peroxide diluted with water
Always make sure vet okays first
Dangerous if pet had corrosive.. may burn through tissue when coming back up
May do in clinic (chocolate, rat poison)
Most useful for recent ingestions
May be in intestines.
May follow with activated charcoal to bind any left over material

Question 10

Antiemetics

Answer 10

Anti vomiting 
Cerenia - injectable and oral form 
Expensive - won't sedate.. useful for car sickness or some GIT problems 
Gravel safe for car sick and to relax. 
Sometimes vomiting is a good thing

Question 11

Medication to absorb toxins

Answer 11

Most commonly used is activated charcoal - very messy
Can syringe into mouth
Feeding tube through mouth into esophagus
Warn owners of darker stool
Clean pets after

Question 12

Fluids SQ and IV

Answer 12

Very important component of treatment for vomiting and diarrhea with associated dehydration

Question 13

Surgery

Answer 13

Multiple types of surgery possible 
Used to remove foreign bodies 
Relieve bloat 
Take biopsies 
Remove tumors

Question 14

Feeding tubes

Answer 14

Placed to allow liquefied diet to be administered to animal - may be nasogastric , esophagostomy, gastrostomy tubes

Question 15

Dental cleaning and procedures

Answer 15

Initial consult required to determine general health and level of dental disease
Includes blood work and oral exam

Second appointment required to give general anesthetic and remove calculi , do dental radiographs, and assess level of periodontal disease

Third- required extractions, root canal

Question 16

Steroids

Answer 16

Used primarily for anti inflammatory and immunosuppressant actions
Important if using long term, not to stop suddenly
Dog will have polyuria/polydipsia but don’t restrict water
You need to watch dose, it causes decrease in immune system
Prednisone is the most commonly used

Question 17

What happens after physical examination?

Answer 17

Based off physical exam and history, veterinarian will determine if conservative therapy or further diagnostics are warranted
If the pet is quite ill, hospitalization or further testing will be reccomended

Question 18

Kaopectate

Answer 18

Contains Aspirin
Limits intestinal secretions
Reduces inflammation/reduces infection

Coating agent-these agents coat the intestinal tract

Question 19

Pepto Bismol

Answer 19

Inhibits/slows growth of bacteria / infections

Coating agent - coat the intestinal tract