GI & Alimentary Disease p2

Question 1

Megacolon is a dysfunction of the motility of the ___ allowing the accumulation of large quantities of ___ to accumulate in the body

Answer 1

1. Colon
2. Feces

Question 2

Megacolon
1. Clinical signs
2. Etiology

Answer 2

1. Clinical signs
   - Straining to defecate/no BMs
   - Anorexia/dehydration
   - Vomiting is common, secondary to straining (esp by litterbox for cats)
2. Etiology
   - Most commonly an inherited muscle abnormality in cats
   - Can be secondary to nerve damage, tumor, or colon stricture in dog or cat

Question 3

Megacolon
1. Dx
2. Supportive care

Answer 3

1. Dx
   - Rads: Large colon w/no tone when empty!
2. Supportive care
   - Aggressive IV fluids
   - Mult warm enemas (no phosphorous salts, bad 4cats)
   - Stool softeners
   - Soluble fiber diets
   - Motility drugs
   - Often anesthesia for digital evacuation is req
   - Sx to remove colon is sometimes necessary

Question 4

T/F: Cats with bobbed tails are more prone to megacolon as their nerve endings are less developed

Answer 4

True!!

Question 5

Anal Gland Abscess
1. Clinical signs
2. Etiology

Answer 5

1. Clinical signs
   - Scooting
   - Pain w/defecation or sitting
   - Grooming of perineum
   - Open wound of perineum w/foul odor
2. Etiology
   - Glands do not drain into rectum in normal manner
   - Inspissated material
   - Chronic soft stool
   - Tumor

Question 6

Anal Gland Abscess
Supportive care (7)

Answer 6

1. Clip & clean perineum
2. Empty anal glands digitally from INSIDE the rectum
3. Systemic antiB
4. Infuse open wound w/antiB
5. Client ed
6. After healed, add insoluble fiber to diet to encourage glands to empty w/defecation
7. Sx removal is occasional

Question 7

Perianal Fistulas is an ____ disorder that causes painful, chronic, open wounds around the ____ and in ___ of the dog

Answer 7

1. Immune disorder
   - The body attacks the tissues causing secondary infections
2. Anus
3. Rectum

Question 8

Perianal Fistulas
1. Clinical signs
2. Etiology
3. Supportive care

Answer 8

1. Clinical signs
   - Straining to defecate often w/vocalization
   - Constipation
   - Likely sedate & clip perineum to see open wounds
   - Germ Shep most common, & border collie common
2. Etiology
   - Immune system disorder
   - Food allergies
3. Supportive care
   - AntiB for 2nd infections
   - Immune modifiers
   - Diet trial
   - Stool softeners & pain meds

Question 9

Liver & Biliary Tree