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
http://media.endoscopy.com/2008/10/24/small-animal-gi/
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