In Small Animal Medicine Most Common Disorders Bloat and Gastric Dilation Volvulus GDV Pancreatitis Colitis Food Allergies Foreign Body Inflammatory Bowel Disease Bloat and GDV Bloat build up of air and gas in the stomach and intestinal tract ID: 175156
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Slide1
Common Disorders of the Digestive System
In Small Animal MedicineSlide2
Most Common Disorders
Bloat and Gastric Dilation
Volvulus
(GDV)
Pancreatitis
Colitis
Food Allergies
Foreign Body
Inflammatory Bowel DiseaseSlide3
Bloat and GDV
Bloat: 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!!!Slide4
Bloat and GDV Signs & Symptoms
Retching with nothing coming up or out
Distended abdomen
Painful abdomen
Standing or pacing, unable to lay down and get comfortable
Lethargy
ShockSlide5
Bloat and GDV Cause
May ingest food or water too quickly
Ingesting large amounts of food or water
Physically active after a meal
Eating foods they are not accustomed to eating (getting in trash)Slide6
Bloat and GDV D
iagnosis & 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 surgerySlide7
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/neuterSlide8
Pancreatitis
Inflammation of the pancreas
Digestive enzymes which are normally safely stored are prematurely released causing many metabolic problems
Can occur in cats and dogs
Miniature Schnauzers are predisposed due to altered fat metabolism
Can lead to diabetes mellitus if significant damage occurs to the pancreasSlide9
Pancreatitis Signs & Symptoms
Mild to severe vomiting
Diarrhea
Decreased appetite
Fever
Painful abdomenSlide10
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 infectionSlide11
Pancreatitis Diagnosis & Treatment
Diagnosis
Idexx
snap test (Specific
Canine
Pancreatic Lipase)
Idexx
Lab (Specific
Feline
Pancreatic Lipase)
Ultrasound
Treatment
NPO for 2-3 days
IV fluid therapy
Pain medication
Anti-nausea medicationSlide12
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 pancreatitisSlide13
Colitis
Inflammation of the colon
Can occur in dogs and cats
Acute 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 allergySlide14
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 waterySlide15
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)Slide16
Food Allergy
Intolerance from dyes, preservatives, contaminants or protein source
Can occur in dogs and cats
Difficult to diagnose
Sometimes allergy can be from bowl not food
Usually reaction occurs right around mouth
Try using stainless steel bowls, less reactive than plasticSlide17
Food Allergy Signs & Symptoms
In 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 Slide18
Food Allergy Diagnosis & Treatment
Diagnosis
Diet Elimination or Food Trial
Change to hypoallergenic diet for at least 4 weeks
Change protein source
Treatment
Remain on new diet for lifeSlide19
Foreign Body
Pica: eating inappropriate objects
When inappropriate object becomes lodged in intestinal tract it is called a foreign body
Can occur in cats and dogs
String or string-like material is the most dangerous - cuts the intestines
NEVER pull string that is coming from mouth or anus!Slide20
Foreign Body Signs & Symptoms
Vomiting
Undigested food vs. bile
Helps determine location of foreign body
Anorexia
Lethargy
Dehydration
ShockSlide21
Foreign Body Diagnosis & Treatment
Diagnosis
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 treatmentSlide22
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 catsSlide23
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 areasSlide24
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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