Transcript Disorders of the Digestive System

Common Disorders of the
Digestive System
In Small Animal Medicine
Most Common Disorders
Bloat and Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GDV)
 Pancreatitis
 Colitis
 Food Allergies
 Foreign Body
 Inflammatory Bowel Disease
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Bloat and GDV
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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
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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 & Symptoms
Retching with nothing coming up or out
 Distended abdomen
 Painful abdomen
 Standing or pacing, unable to lay down
and get comfortable
 Lethargy
 Shock
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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)
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Bloat and GDV Diagnosis & Treatment
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Diagnosis
◦ Radiographs
◦ Physical Exam
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Treatment
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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
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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
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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 pancreas
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Pancreatitis Signs & Symptoms
Mild to severe vomiting
 Diarrhea
 Decreased appetite
 Fever
 Painful abdomen
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Pancreatitis Cause
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Most times cause is unknown
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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 & Treatment
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Diagnosis
◦ Idexx snap test (Specific Canine Pancreatic
Lipase)
◦ Idexx Lab (Specific Feline Pancreatic Lipase)
◦ Ultrasound
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Treatment
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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
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Colitis
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Inflammation of the colon
Can occur in dogs and cats
Acute Colitis
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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
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Diarrhea of the large intestine
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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
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Diagnosis
◦ Fecal examination
◦ Detailed information from client
 New diet
 Stress in household
 Human foods
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Treatment
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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 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
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◦ Usually reaction occurs right around mouth
◦ Try using stainless steel bowls, less reactive
than plastic
Food Allergy Signs & Symptoms
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In dogs
◦ Itchy feet, face and belly
◦ Chronic ear infections
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In cats
◦ Itchy around face and neck
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Watch for signs of itching not just act of
itching
◦ Scabs
◦ Alopecia
◦ Licking
Food Allergy Diagnosis & Treatment
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Diagnosis
◦ Diet Elimination or Food Trial
 Change to hypoallergenic diet for at least 4 weeks
 Change protein source
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Treatment
◦ Remain on new diet for life
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
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◦ NEVER pull string that is coming from mouth
or anus!
Foreign Body Signs & Symptoms
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Vomiting
◦ Undigested food vs. bile
 Helps determine location of foreign body
Anorexia
 Lethargy
 Dehydration
 Shock
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Foreign Body Diagnosis & Treatment
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Diagnosis
◦ Radiographs
 Barium study may be needed
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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…
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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
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◦ If in stomach or upper small intestine
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Watery diarrhea with weight loss
◦ If in lower small intestine
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A mucous diarrhea with fresh blood
◦ If in large intestine
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May be problem in all three areas
IBD Diagnosis & Treatment
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Diagnosis
◦ Endoscopy and biopsy
◦ Baseline workup
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Radiographs
Bloodwork
Urinalysis
Fecal Analysis
Treatment
◦ Steroids to treat inflammation
◦ High fiber diet
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