Pathology of the alimentary tract II

Question 1

What are some of the predisposing factors for GDV

gastric dilation, displacement and volvulus

Answer 1

1. large deep-chested dog breeds
2. Gas, fluid or feed blocks the cardia which prevents eructation and emesis

Question 2

How does GDV occur?

Answer 2

Pylorus is obstructed with gastric rotation which prevents the passage of contents into the small intestine
repeated episodes of gastric dilation result in stretching and relaxation of the gastrohepatic ligament
then gastric rotation occurs due to recurrent dilation, overfeeding or postprandial exercise

Question 3

What causes severe abdominal distension?

Answer 3

• clockwise rotation on a ventrodorsal axis
• V-shaped bending of an enlarged spleen
• compression of the diaphragm, vena cava etc
• rupture of the stomach

Question 4

What causes traumatic gastritis?

Answer 4

ingestion of a foreign body

Question 5

What is gastritis?

Answer 5

When the lining of the stomach becomes irritated

Question 6

What does helicobacter do?

Answer 6

effects the stomach of dogs and cats

Question 7

What causes mycotic gastritis?

mycotic= infection from a fungus

Answer 7

Histoplasma Capsulatum

a granulomatous inflammation

Question 8

What causes braxy?

haemorrhagic and necrotising abomasitis

Answer 8

Caused by clostridium septicum

Question 9

What animal is braxy commonly associated with?

Answer 9

lambs (sheep)

also associated with the cold weather

Question 10

What fungi cause mycotic abomasitis and what does it result in?

Answer 10

• Aspergillus, Mucor, Rhizopus, Absidia, Mortierella
• Results in vasculitis and thrombosis (haemorrhagic infarction in the mucosa)

Question 11

What usually causes gastric ulcers?

Answer 11

Stress and or mucousal hypoperfusion (imbalance between the necrotising effects of gastric acid/ pepsin secretion)

Question 12

What are 7 general causes of gastric ulceration?

Answer 12

1. local mucousal physical injury
2. Local hypoperfusion and ischeamia
3. High gastric acidity
4. NSAIDS
5. Ureamia
6. Multifactorial in pigs (rations, fermentation of sugars, stress)
7. Infection/ Inflammation

Question 13

Where are pig gastric ulcers commonly found?

Answer 13

At the pars oesophagea, they frequently bleed and can cause exsanguination

Question 14

What causes gastric ulceration in horses?

Answer 14

Idiopathic in foals,
in adults it can be caused by NSAIDS

Question 15

What causes uremic gastropathy?

Answer 15

In dogs and cats it is usually due to chronic renal disease

Question 16

What causes blister beetle toxicosis?

Answer 16

• Horses eating alfalfa hay infested with blister beetles
• The causative toxin is cantharadin

Question 17

What causes heavy metal toxicosis?

Answer 17

Arsenic and Zinc

Question 18

What is the most common neoplasm of the abomasum?

Answer 18

Lymphoma
It is commonly associated with bovine leukosis virus