DOGS/CATS/EQUINE/RUMINANTS By Jeannie Stall R.V.T. Textbook
references- Common Diseases of Companion Animals by Alleice Summers
Graphics Credit: ClipArt/ Google Images
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FOOD- ESSENTIAL FOR LIFE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM: Converts food into a
state to be absorbed & utilized by animal 2 DIVISIONS:
Gastrointestinal & Accessory Structures G.I.: Continuous tube
Mouth to anus Accessory: Teeth, tongue, salivary glands, liver,
pancreas, gall bladder
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ORAL DISEASES Periodontal disease- Gingivitis: Inflammation of
gum tissues Periodontitis: Irreversible condition of tooth socket
(ligament & bone) Food particles form plaque & hardens into
calculus aka : Tartar Bacteria: Localized & Systemic (esp.
heart valves)
LIP FOLD DERMATITIS Hangy- Down Upper Lip Breeds: St. Bernards,
Bulldogs, Spaniels, Hounds Bacteria, warm/moist environment,
infection, malodor Treatment: Clip hair, clean folds, keep area dry
with powders, corn starch maintain good oral health ( routine
dentals) Surgical reconstruction to < fold
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ORAL TRAUMA Caused by: HBC, being in fights, chemical &
electrical burns, foreign bodies ie: bullets, sticks, bones, fish
hooks, needles... Treatment: Varies by injury cause but can
include: Tooth extraction, repair broken bones, foregn body
removal, Rx Analgesics &/or Antibiotics
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NEOPLASMS: GROWTHS-TUMORS Malignant or Benign Malignant:
Melanomas, carcinomas, fibrosarcomas, - All can metastasize to
other locations Benign: Papillomas - Light-colored, warty Epuli-
Tend to be smooth, near teeth Treatment: Surgery to remove growth
If malignant: Radiation / chemotherapy POOR PROGNOSIS-- At best,
GUARDED
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ESOPHAGUS ISSUES Esophagitis- Trauma by stomach acids, ingested
items: ie: caustic plants/liquids, too hot microwaved food
Treatment: Neutralize w/ activated charcoal or Sodium bicarbonate
*** DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING !!!!!!! *** For Reflux cases: Switch
diet to : > protein & < fat Wt. loss &
medications
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ESOPHAGUS OBSTRUCTION More likely in dogsEat toys/ chew bones
/rocks (Or the dog that ate the long knife!!) Most common issue in
cats is needle & thread- Always look under tongue for lasso of
string/thread
INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DZ. Immune-mediated: Inflammed cells of the
lining of the stomach, small & large intestines Symptoms:
Diarrhea, mucousy BMS, straining to defecate, wt. loss, persistent
vomiting Trt: Unique protein source diets: Fish & potato
Kangaroo & oat Bland diets (rice) Rx Meds ie: Prednisone
NSAIDS
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STOMACH ULCERS Most common cause: Non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) ie: Aspirin, Ibuprofen,
Phenylbutazone..But can be stress-induced (Transporting Equines)
Trt: Fluid therapy prn (as needed), < per os diet & liquids,
Rx : Carafate (to coat lesion) Cimetidine ( histamine blocker)
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GASTRIC DILATION / VOLVULUS Dilation: Over extended expansion
of stomach Volvulus: Distended stomach twists/flips & torsion
cuts off circulation Victims: Adult, deep-chested, Lg./Giant breed
dogs- Standard Poodles, Great Danes .. Trt: Stabilize animal (
shock cases), Reduce stomach distention, Sx. to repair &
tack
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NEOPLASMS OF THE STOMACH Adenocarcinomas or Lymphomas: Usually
seen in animals several yrs. of age Benign tumors : Polyps &
Leiomyomas Trt: Surgical removal (if possible) Poor prognosis when
malignant
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SMALL INTESTINE ISSUES Acute Diarrhea- Caused by: Switching
diets, certain medications, stress, parasites, viruses, bacteria
Trt: Parasite control, antibiotics, bland diet, fluid therapy, NPO
1-2 days, Rx Meds Can be contagious : PARVO !!! *** Can be
ZOONOTIC: Parasites ***
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DIETARY INDUCED ISSUES Intolerance : Carbohydrates, fats, milk
Immune- related sensitivity: Endoscopy Thorough Hx. & exam Lab
tests to R/O other causes Indiscretion: Eating odd items- Paper,
foil, garbage, plastic, rubber bands, twist ties
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NEOPLASMS # 1----Intestinal Adenocarcinomas # 2
---Lymphosarcomas Dont forget Mast cell tumors Metastasis can occur
Trt: Surgical removal, if possible, Chemotherapy has mixed
response
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LARGE INTESTINE ISSUES Cecum: Small, S-shaped curve near sm.
& lg. intestine juncture Colon: Ascending R side of abdomen
Transverse cranial abdomen Descending L side of abdomen Water &
electrolytes get absorbed here Temporary holding bin for feces
Ferments undigested material & creates Vit. K & Vit. B
Rectum: Terminal fecal holding bin attached to anus
INTUSSUSCEPTION Unknown causes ??? Poss. parasites, foreign
bodies, masses, infection Occurs when the smaller, anterior portion
of intestine slips into larger, more distal portion of intestine,
(as in a telescope-style move ) Creates blockage due to narrowing
& occludes blood vessels, which endangers tissues to point
necrotic issues can occur
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MEGACOLON Colon becomes enlarged, filled w/ firm fecal material
More common in cats Causes: Poss. d/t neurologic issue that
malfunctions & doesnt trigger evacuation of colon/ Hypokalemia
(
INFECTIOUS CANINE HEPATITIS Viral cause- Adenovirus 1 Infected
by oro-nasal transmission Symptoms: Lethargy, fever > 103 F,
anorexia, pale mucous membranes, corneal opacities (Blue eye) Trt:
Treat symptoms as cant treat virus **Prevention via
vaccinations**
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LEPTOSPIROSIS ****ZOONOTIC DISEASE!!!!*** Most common: L.
canicola, L. icterohemorrhagica, L. pomona, L. bratislavia & L.
grippotyphosa *** Wear gloves to handle: Animal / lab samples /
body fluid clean up (V/D/U) Wear exterior lab coat & gown
/Prevent eye splash Symptoms: Dehydrated, fever, V, unwilling to
move, thirsty, jaundice, acute renal failure Trt: Fluid therapy to
rehydrate Rx Antibiotics
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FELINE HEPATIC LIPIDOSIS Cause: Unknown (idiopathic) Fatty
Liver Dz. Most common liver issue in cats Victim: Fat,adult cats,
any breed/sex, stress-induced anorexia Be aware when
boarding/hospitalizing cats : (fat cat doesnt or unable to eat
-which stresses liver) Symptoms: Anorexia, obesity, icteric
(jaundice), slight liver enlargement, +/- bleeding issues,
intermittent vomiting Trt: High protein, calorically dense diet (
Hills A/D) (Usually via feeding tube, as are reluctant to eat on
their own) ***** Guarded Prognosis *****
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NEOPLASMS Most of these tumors have metastasized from:
Pancreas, Lymph nodes, spleen, mammary tissue, bone, lungs, thyroid
.. Of those originating in liver: Dogs: Hepatocellular adenomas/
adenocarcinomas Cats: Bile duct tumors Trt: Surgical removal / +/-
Chemotherapy
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PORTOSYSTEMIC SHUNTS Congenital defect: Blood from G.I. tract
bypasses liver -therefore, doesnt clear toxins, allowing them to
infiltrate the entire system, even the brain, where damage occurs.
(Intrahepatic/extrahepatic) Due to situation, liver atrophy also
occurs. Congenital issue in: Schnauzer, Yorkshire Terrier &
mixed breed cats Clin. signs: Head pressing, seizures, ataxia,
anorexia, lethargy, weakness, blindness TRT: Surgical ligation of
all or a portion of shunt
PANCREATITIS Acute or Chronic Malfunctioning digestive enzymes:
Should wait to be active until they reach small intestine, but
become active while still in pancreas production zone &
autoingestion occurs Clin. signs: Anorexia, V, +/- D, painful!!,
fever, dehydration Trt: Fluid therapy, Rx Antibiotics., prev. recc.
NPO x 3-4 days, now advise feeding high carb-low fat diet a.s.a.p.
ie: Hills R/D
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PANCREATIC INSUFFICIENCY ~ 85% - 90% loss of digestive enzyme
production occurs b/4 symptoms show Dogs Predisposed breed: Germ.
Shep. Cats- D/t chronic pancreatitis cases Reduces sm. intestines
ability to absorb nutrients as bacteria # increase & alters
insulin production Clin. signs: Gray, fatty, smelly BMS/ wt.
loss/polyphagia/ pica/ flatulence gassy/ D Trt: Rx Antibiotics /
Low fiber, highly digestible diet Rx Pancreatic enzyme supplement (
Viokase-V @ 2 tsp./ 20 kg. body wt. w/ each meal )
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PERINEAL HERNIAS & FISTULAS Perineal hernia- Old (> 8
yrs.), intact male K-9s, Clin. signs: Swelling around anus that is
reducible, tenesmus (straining), constipation, painful BMs Trt: Rx
Stool softeners (Colace), enemas, Surgical : Repair herniation
& neuter Perianal fistula: Painful perianal tissue ulcerated
tract w/ bleeding, painful BMs, narrowing of anal sphincter Self-
inflicted trauma can occur Trt: Rx Topical & oral Antibiotics,
Surgical correction Low success rate
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PERIANAL GLAND ADENOMAS Associated w/ plasma androgen levels,
hence old, intact male dogs comprise 85% of cases Clin. signs: Firm
mass or masses in anal ring, tail base or prepuce, itchy anal
tissue Trt: Sx: Castration / cryosurgery / removal of growth/
radiation treatment Neutering male dogs when young helps prevent
these tumors & hypertrophic prostatic tissue
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EQUINE DIGESTIVE DISEASES Teeth constantly erupt during entire
lifespan Uneven enamel ridge wear d/t wider upper jaw than lower
jaw Spurs: Jagged enamel (tongue/cheek sides of teeth) Ramps:
Sloping on 1 st & last mandibular teeth Hooks: Sharp points on
1 st & last maxillary teeth Clin. signs: Colic d/t poorly
chewed food, oral lesions, quidding (dribbling small amts. of feed
Trt: Float teeth (rasp/file teeth to grind points flush)
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FLOATING POLLYS TEETH
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EQUINE CHOKE Esophageal obstruction: Complete or partial d/t :
Feed, medications, swelling, injury, scarring, tumors Clin. signs:
Increased salivation, swelling, difficult swallowing, extended
neck, food exits through nostrils Trt: IV fluids, esophageal
massage, NSAIDS, tempid H2O lavage via NG tube Rx Smooth muscle
relaxants ie: Rompun or Dormosedan Moisten dry feeds--- expands
before ingestion
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GASTRIC ULCERS > issue than prev. thought: ~ 80 % in
race/show horses Causes: 1. Altered eating pattern: From grazing
(best) to high-concentrate bolus meal (poorest), which creates low
saliva production & constant gastric HCL acid production. 2.
NSAIDS also @ fault Trt: > Grazing/forage time Smaller, more
frequent meals Rx Omeprazole (Gastrogard by Merial )
RUMINANTS DIGESTIVE DISEASES Ruminant: A 4 chambered stomach 1.
Rumen: holds food to regurgitate 2. Reticulum : honeycomb shaped
folds /Reticulitis a.k.a. Hardware Dz- Magnets placed here 3.
Omasum: Long folds absorb H2O 4. Abomasum: Chamber most like
monogastric stomach (as in dogs/cats) Where most of the nutrients
are absorbed
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BLOAT Caused by free gas & froth in rumen More common in
cattle than sheep / less freq. in goats Clin. signs: Left-sided
abdominal distension, pain, resp. distress, anxious, ***EMERGENCY
SITUATION *** Pass stomach tube to relieve gas or trochar needle
Frothy bloat trt. w/ veg. oil adm. via orogastric tube
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RUMINANT DIARRHEA Escherichia coli: Bacteria destroy villi /
prod. enterotoxin Rotovirus: Prohibits intestinal villis ability to
absorb nutrition in 2- 14 day old lambs/kids Cryptosporidiosis:
Protozoan Cryptosporidium parvum Yellow, liquid BMs /
***ZOONOTIC*** Salmonella: Bacteria produce enterotoxin & cause
mucosal necrosis Clostridium perfringens Type D: a.k.a.
Enterotoximia or Overeating Dz / Vx @ 4-6 weeks of age, repeat in 4
wks. then annually b/4 parturition
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RUMINANT PARASITES Coccidiosis: Protozoan Eimeria sp. Trt.: Rx
Sulfa drugs Nematodes: Haemonchus, Cooperia, Ostertagia,
Trichostrongylus, Nematodirus, Oesophagostomum, Bunostomum sp.
Found in Abomasum & intestines Trt: Rx Anthelmintics to entire
herd/flock
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COPPER TOXICOSIS Problem found primarily in sheep Caused by a
Copper to Sulfate ratio > 10 : 1 Copper builds up in the liver
& when stressed, animal releases it into body Clin. Signs:
Anorexia, depression, diarrhea, weakness, death. DONT FEED DIETS
DESIGNED FOR GOATS TO SHEEP !!!
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CREDITS: CLIP ART & PHOTOS COMPLIMENTS OF: 1. Microsoft
Office Online ClipArt 3. cal.vet.upenn.edu 4.
questionsondaogsandcats.blogspot.com 2. Google images