Topic 31 - Intake of feed and water, the abnormalities of chewing and swallowing. Examination of vomitus and its diagnostic significance. Regurgitation. Examination of the oesophagus

Question 1

If there is an abnormality with chewing or swallowing, where and what do we examine the dog?

Answer 1

Externally:
- Musculature
- Pain
- Symmetry

Internally:
- Teeth
- Tongue
- Gum
- Esophagus

Question 2

Abnormal findings externally on the dog:

Answer 2

Sagging jaw, ear or nostrils
This can be sign of nerve damage - N.trigeminus

Question 3

Abnormal findings internally on the dog:

Answer 3

• Painful gums = uraemia
• Tongue cannot move

Question 4

Animal refuse to eat:

Answer 4

Indicates pain
- Can be colic, ileus

Question 5

How can we differentiate between regurgitation and vomiting?

Answer 5

We ask questions for the owner:

1. Is there ABDOMINAL EFFORT
2. How often?
3. is the food DIGESTED?
4. Is there BLOODD?
5. Does the pet have a bad BREATH?

Question 6

Indications of vomiting:

Answer 6

1. Active abdominal contraction
2. Unrelated to food intake
3. Digested food
4. Bile/blood
5. Low pH

Question 7

Indications of regurgitation:

Answer 7

1. No abdominal contraction
2. Related to food intake, shortly after food intake
3. Undigested food
4. No bile/blood
5. High pH

Question 8

What is it called when the dog suffers from swallowing problems?

Answer 8

Dysphagia

Question 9

Examination method of esophagus:

Answer 9

Inspection
Palpation - not easy unless problem = foreign body

Question 10

Additional examination methods to examine the esophagus:

Answer 10

X-ray
Endoscopy
Oesophagoscopy

Question 11

What can we see with an Oesophagoscopy?

Answer 11

Inflammation/redness
Dilated blood vessels
Vesicles

Question 12

What can we see with an X-ray?

Answer 12

Megaesophagus