Common Disorders of the Digestive System In Small Animal Medicine

Most Common DisordersBloat and Gastric Dilation

Volvulus (GDV)PancreatitisColitisFood AllergiesForeign BodyInflammatory Bowel Disease

Bloat and GDVBloat: build up of air and gas in the

stomach and intestinal tract◦More common in large breed deep chested

dogs but can happen in any size dog◦Also occurs in ruminants◦Bloated animals are to be considered an

emergency◦Bloat can progress to gastric dilation volvulus

GDV: build up of gas causes stomach to flip or twist. This cuts off blood supply.

This is an emergency, animal must be seen by vet immediately!!!

Bloat and GDV Signs & SymptomsRetching with nothing coming up

or outDistended abdomenPainful abdomenStanding or pacing, unable to lay

down and get comfortableLethargyShock

Bloat and GDV Cause

May ingest food or water too quickly

Ingesting large amounts of food or water

Physically active after a mealEating foods they are not

accustomed to eating (getting in trash)

Bloat and GDV Diagnosis & Treatment

Diagnosis◦Radiographs◦Physical Exam

Treatment◦Decompress gas with stomach tube◦Monitor heart (pressure from distended stomach)◦ IV fluids for shock◦Surgery to relieve pressure, untwist stomach and

tack stomach to abdominal wall May be irreversible damage to stomach and spleen,

necrotic parts must be removed Critical condition after surgery

Bloat and GDV Prevention

Small meals◦Objects like kong toys can be placed

in food or water bowl to slow down consumption

No exercise after meals or large water consumption

Raised bowls to decrease air swallowed

Dogs at high risk can have stomach pexy done at time of spay/neuter

PancreatitisInflammation of the pancreasDigestive enzymes which are normally

safely stored are prematurely released causing many metabolic problems

Can occur in cats and dogsMiniature Schnauzers are predisposed

due to altered fat metabolismCan lead to diabetes mellitus if

significant damage occurs to the pancreas

Pancreatitis Signs & SymptomsMild to severe vomitingDiarrheaDecreased appetiteFeverPainful abdomen

Pancreatitis Cause

Most times cause is unknown◦ Contents of duodenum go through pancreatic duct◦ Trauma◦ Use of certain drugs ◦ Exposure to organophosphate insecticides◦ Tumor◦ Hormonal imbalances

Diabetes Hypothyroidism Hypercalcemia

◦ In dogs may be high fat diet/consumption◦ In cats may be secondary to Inflammatory Bowel

Disease◦ In cats an active feline distemper infection

Pancreatitis Diagnosis & TreatmentDiagnosis

◦Idexx snap test (Specific Canine Pancreatic Lipase)

◦Idexx Lab (Specific Feline Pancreatic Lipase)

◦UltrasoundTreatment

◦NPO for 2-3 days◦IV fluid therapy◦Pain medication◦Anti-nausea medication

Pancreatitis Prevention

Dogs that suffer from pancreatitis must be put on a low fat diet usually for life

If a dog is suspected to have consumed large amounts of fat, treat them as an emergency

Cats diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease should be monitored for pancreatitis

Colitis

Inflammation of the colonCan occur in dogs and catsAcute Colitis

◦ Usually stress related◦ Overgrowth of clostridium◦ Can be caused from parasite infestation◦ Change in diet◦ Inappropriate foods for animals

Chronic Colitis◦ Persistent parasite infestation◦ Secondary to other diseases ◦ Food allergy

Colitis Signs & Symptoms

Diarrhea of the large intestine◦Blood in stool◦Mucous in stool◦Stool that starts normal and finishes

loose◦Straining to defecate or sudden

urgency ◦More gooey or slimy than watery

Colitis Diagnosis & Treatment

Diagnosis◦ Fecal examination◦ Detailed information from client

New diet Stress in household Human foods

Treatment◦ High fiber diet◦ Antibiotics that target GI tract◦ Medication to kill parasites if they are the cause◦ Probiotics to rebalance “helpful” bacteria count◦ Treatment of underlying disease causing colitis◦ Elimination Diet (if allergy is suspected)

Food AllergyIntolerance from dyes,

preservatives, contaminants or protein source

Can occur in dogs and catsDifficult to diagnoseSometimes allergy can be from

bowl not food◦Usually reaction occurs right around

mouth◦Try using stainless steel bowls, less

reactive than plastic

Food Allergy Signs & SymptomsIn dogs

◦ Itchy feet, face and belly◦Chronic ear infections

In cats◦ Itchy around face and neck

Watch for signs of itching not just act of itching◦Scabs◦Alopecia◦Licking

Food Allergy Diagnosis & TreatmentDiagnosis

◦Diet Elimination or Food Trial Change to hypoallergenic diet for at least

4 weeks Change protein source

Treatment◦Remain on new diet for life

Foreign BodyPica: eating inappropriate objectsWhen inappropriate object

becomes lodged in intestinal tract it is called a foreign body

Can occur in cats and dogsString or string-like material is

the most dangerous - cuts the intestines◦NEVER pull string that is coming

from mouth or anus!

Foreign Body Signs & SymptomsVomiting

◦Undigested food vs. bile Helps determine location of foreign body

AnorexiaLethargyDehydrationShock

Foreign Body Diagnosis & TreatmentDiagnosis

◦Radiographs Barium study may be needed

Treatment◦If still in esophagus or stomach an

endoscope can retrieve it (rare)◦If in intestinal tract surgery is

required (more common)◦Fatal without treatment

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)Inflammatory cells line the intestine and cause

thickness which interferes with absorption and motility

Different than Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) More of a symptom than a disease but difficult

to determine disease causing agent, may be…◦ Persistent parasites infestation◦ Allergy against food protein◦ Bacteria producing inflammatories ◦ Compromised immune system◦ Combination of the above

Can occur in dogs and cats

IBD Signs & Symptoms

Chronic problem with vomiting, diarrhea and weight loss

Chronic vomiting◦If in stomach or upper small intestine

Watery diarrhea with weight loss◦If in lower small intestine

A mucous diarrhea with fresh blood◦If in large intestine

May be problem in all three areas

IBD Diagnosis & Treatment

Diagnosis◦Endoscopy and biopsy◦Baseline workup

Radiographs Bloodwork Urinalysis Fecal Analysis

Treatment◦Steroids to treat inflammation◦High fiber diet

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