CHAPTER 26: LOWER GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT PATHOLOGIES
The small and large intestines, the cecum and the anus are considered to be part of the lower gastrointestinal system.
Colic
Colic is a non-specific condition that is used to describe ________________________.
Pain can be caused by gut distension, tension on the ______________________ or ischemic necrosis of a section of the gut.
There are four major ways in which colic occurs:
The wall of the intestine is distended by gas, fluid or ingesta. This causes mechanoreceptors in the intestinal wall to be stimulated and send pain impulses to the brain. The second involves a section of the gut to either be displaced or twist around itself or around one of the mesenteries causing pain from the tension. A twist or entrapment of a section of the gut and its ______________ supply results in ischemic necrosis of a region of the intestine. Damage to the gut from ________________, parasites or non-digestible substances causes inflammation of the intestinal wall or the peritoneum. There are too many factors to mention that can lead to the onset of colic, but individuals subjected to irregular feeding or de-worming schedules, a change in diet, reduced water availability, dental disease, stress, excitable temperament and toxicities are predisposed to developing colic. Anatomically the _________________ is the most common site for impaction, while the left ventral colon, left dorsal colon & jejunum are the most common sites of volvulus or entrapment.
In foals, retained meconium & gastric ulcers are the main contributing factors for colic.
Colic is clinically seen as restlessness, pawing, looking at the flank, kicking or biting at the abdomen, sweating, rolling/thrashing, laying down then getting up repeatedly, groaning or straining while recumbent, abdominal distension, increased respiratory and heart rate, weak pulse, poor capillary refill time, anorexia, dehydration and decreased fecal output. They may stare while urinating or defecating, dog sit, and males may stretch out as if to urinate. Diagnosis can be made through clinical signs and symptoms, ___________________ of the abdomen, rectal palpation, passing of a nasogastric tube, endoscopy, and analysis of peritoneal fluid or exploratory surgery.
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