“Winning (success) takes work!” “The will to win is not nearly as important as the will to prepare to win.” -Bobby Knight

Diseases of SI Often involves impairment of absorptive surface of SI (what is that?) Acute Diarrhea—one of the most commonly seen types of diarrhea Causes—(often accompanies acute gastritis) Diet change Stressful situations Drug therapy Signs Acute onset of diarrhea ± vomiting Normal appearance otherwise Dx Fecal to r/o parasites CBC (dehydration), Chem panel to r/o metabolic diseases Diarrhea: increase in frequency, fluidity and volume of defecation.

Acute Diarrhea Rx Fluids for dehydration, electrolyte imbalance (SQ, IV, PO) NPO x 24 h; water OK if no vomiting Intestinal absorbants/coating agents Loperamide—opiod receptor inhibitor that slows gut motility Antibiotics (?) Bland diet after 24 h Hills I/D Boiled chicken/rice

Parasite Diarrhea Signs Dx Tx Diarrhea Wt loss Poor hair coat Listlessness Dx Fecal exam Tx Anthelmintics for parasites: Fenbendazole/pyrantel Antiprotozoal medication for Giardia, Coccidia Giardia: metronidazole and coccidia: Albon

Giardia

Viral Diarrhea Parvovirus Canine distemper virus Coronavirus Feline panleukopenia virus

Parvovirus Signs Dx—ELISA (enzyme-linked Rx Seen mainly in young, unvaccinated puppies Signs Diarrhea, usually with blood Vomiting Febrile Anorexia, depression Dx—ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) test Rx IV fluids Antidiarrheal therapy Antibiotics (Gram neg) Keep warm

Parvovirus (coyote)

Parvovirus Client info Sick animals will infect other unprotected animals Parvo can be fatal Vaccinate for protection

Diseases of LI Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Signs Dx Function is to reabsorb water, electrolytes; store feces Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Signs Diarrhea with wt loss ↑ frequency of defecations, ↓ volume Tenesmus ↑ mucus Dx Fecal to r/o parasites Chem panel to r/o metabolic causes Biopsy of LI wall ↑ lymphocytes and plasma cells LI: Cecum, colon and rectum.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Rx Sulfasalazine—a sulfa drug with anti-inflammatory effects Most effective against colitis Prednisone Metronidazole, Tylosin Mesalamine—a metabolite of Sulfasalazine in LI (actions unknown) Hypoallergenic diet Hill’s d/d, z/d, i/d Homemade diets Client info Treatment is often prolonged Goal of Rx is to control symptoms, not cure disease Animals with IBD need to be taken outside frequently for BM’s

Intussusception Signs Dx Rx Client info Cause usually unknown; can result from parasites, FB, infection, neoplasia Signs Vom/diarrhea with or without blood Anorexia, depression Dx Palpation of sausage-like mass in cranial abdomen Rx Surgical reduction/resection of necrotic bowel Restore fluid/electrolyte balance Restrict solid food x 24 h after Sx; then bland diet x 10-24 d Client info Recurrence is infrequent Px depends on amt of bowel removed Puppies should be treated for parasites to prevent intussusception Commonly at ileocolic junction. Telescoping causes partial blockage, compromises blood supply and nissue necrosis.

Intussuception

Megacolon Signs Straining to defecate vomiting Uncommon in dogs, more common in cats (mostly idiopathic) Associated with Obstipation (intestinal obstruction, severe constipation) Signs Straining to defecate Must be distinguished from straining to urinate in male cats vomiting Weakness, dehydration, anorexia Small, hard feces or liquid feces With or without blood, mucus Greater than length of lumbar vertebrae Relates with hypothyroidism, pelvic deformities. Possible defect in neurostimulation of colon to evacuate the feces.

Megacolon Dx Palpation of distended colon filled with hard, dry feces Radiographs show colon full of feces Rectal palpation assures adequate pelvic opening Rx Warm water enema Animals can become hypothermic Manual removal under anesthesia Mucosal surface is delicate Client info Encourage water intake Salt food Always provide adequate supply High-fiber diet