11/12: Gut protection

Question 1

describe the structure of the gut

Answer 1

• a tube spanning from the oral cavity to the anal cavity
• lined with mucosa
• joins w skin at mouth and anus

Question 2

name the layers of the gut wall

Answer 2

from outermost to innermost layer:
- *serosa: blood, nerves
- *muscularis (outer): motility
- *muscularis (inner): motility
- *submucosa: nerves, lymph, vascular tissue
- *mucosa: digestion and defence
- lamina propria: lymph and defence
- epithelial cells
- lumen

Question 3

what is the function of epithelial cells?

Answer 3

process food to:
- obtain nutrients and remove wastes
- transport nutrients for further use
- maintain integrity, body function and health
protect from damage from
- food
- pathogens

Question 4

using the hawk as an example, how can animals use their senses to select/reject food to avoid gut illness?

Answer 4

• received a toxic a injection after eating a mouse
  -> caused gut illness
• hawk paired illness w mice
  -> avoided mice
  -> gut protection

Question 5

what are examples of smells that are avoided by animals in order to protect their gut?

Answer 5

• rotten eggs and fish
• mouldy food
• toxins + poisonous plants

Question 6

what is peristalsis?

Answer 6

rhythmic movement of food through circular muscle contraction.
- muscle contract behind the food and relax in front of it, allowing forwards propulsion of the food (aka bolus)

Question 7

what are metabolites that the gut protects against?

Answer 7

• toxins
• poisons
• dietary tannins
• lectins
• polyphenolics

Question 8

what is the function of the small intestine?

Answer 8

• contains enzymes for chemical breakdown of food toxins and pathogens
• lymph and mucous for gut protection
• antigenic or mast cells

Question 9

what are functions of the large intestine?

Answer 9

• inactivation of pathogens
• binding and disintegration
• metabolites and elimination

Question 10

what is the mucous gel layer of the gut composed of?

Answer 10

• mucin: glycoprotein
• phospholipids
• electrolytes
• water

Question 11

what is torsion of the gut?

Answer 11

expanded and twisted gut

Question 12

what are implications of gut torsion?

Answer 12

• animals trying to burp/vomit
• blood flow is interrupted
• stomach ruptures
  -> affects other organs

Question 13

what is a bloated rumen in cattle caused by?

Answer 13

• leguminous pastures
• diets high in CHO: rapid fermentation
• no belching of gas
• foaming agents in legumes cause froth/foam to build up in rumen
  -> more gas than rumen can handle
  -> no gas escape: gut blockage

Question 14

how do you treat a case of bloated rumen in cattle? in an extreme case

Answer 14

• incision using trocar and cannula
• insertion of vegetable/paraffin oil
• helps decrease frothing

Question 15

what are clinical signs of feline infectious peritonitis?

Answer 15

• enlarged mesenteric lymph node
• inflammation of intestine
• inflammation of abdominal wall

Question 16

what are causes of feline peritonitis

Answer 16

lapse in gut protection
- ingestion of sharp objects
- perforation of stomach

Question 17

what is pancreatitis? what animals does it affect?

Answer 17

inflammation of pancreas, all dog ages, sex, breeds
- digestive enzymes overactivated
-> secondary damage to liver, bile ducts and small intestine

Question 18

what are occurs in dogs w pancreatitis?

Answer 18

• milder: oedematous (swollen w fluid)
• more severe: haemorrhagic

Question 19

what are clinical signs of pancreatitis?

Answer 19

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea
• fever
• abdominal pain
• severe: acute shock, depression, death