Inflammatory disease intestines (IBD) is one of the most common causes of chronic digestive disorders in animals. It is most often manifested by chronic vomiting, chronic diarrhea and/or weight loss, and these symptoms are not always accompanied by indigestion.
The main principle in making a final diagnosis VZK consists in the exclusion of other diseases accompanied by inflammation of the intestine.
In some cases VZK can be cured by oral administration of antibacterial drugs with the transfer of sick animals to a diet that has a hydrolyzate base or the only source of protein. At severe course disease or lack of effectiveness of antibiotic therapy resort to glucocorticoids.
Symptoms
Anorexia in a dog
Typically, IBD is chronic and is accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, and/or weight loss. Weight loss of a sick animal is not always associated with symptoms of damage to the digestive system. Appetite in patients with IBD is variable: in some there is anorexia, in others it alternates with polyphagia (eating disorder, manifested increased appetite and gluttony). With IBD, vomiting is also very variable, and it is not specific, and the color of the vomit is different. According to the features of the manifestation of diarrhea, one can judge whether it is associated with dysfunctions thin department bowel (by infrequent bowel movements and passing large amounts of feces) or large intestine (by very frequent passing of small amounts of feces), but in some cases of IBD, both types of diarrhea may occur simultaneously.
Owners of dogs with IBD are most often concerned about intestinal flatulence and rumbling in the abdomen of their pets.
Melena (black semi-liquid stool with characteristic bad smell) and the presence of blood in the vomit in this disease are rare, but the incidence of bloody stools reaches 30%.
Sometimes dogs with IBD experience abdominal pain. This is evidenced both by observations made of animals during palpation of their abdomen, and by their spontaneous reactions (looking at their side, howling, discomfort experienced after eating food and occurring without visible reasons salivation).
Differential Diagnosis
Laboratory tests exclude diseases caused by metabolic disorders and functional state endocrine glands. Hypereosinophilia is observed in approximately 1/3 of IBD cases; it is more typical for eosinophilic than for lymphocytic-plasmacytic enteritis. The establishment of hypereosinophilia dictates the need for systemic anthelmintic treatment.
Chronic bleeding in the digestive tract can accompany IBD, although it does not occur as often with this disease as with a number of others.
Abdominal X-ray examination dogs
X-ray examination facilitates the diagnosis of intestinal obstruction, determining the size of the liver and kidneys, but it is of little use for the diagnosis of IBD. Contrast (barium) fluoroscopy is used when bowel obstruction is suspected and when it is not possible to use ultrasound. Both of the above methods make it possible to assess the degree of filling of the stomach with fodder masses, when it is necessary to exclude the syndrome of impaired gastric emptying.
Ultrasound provides extremely valuable information that allows you to diagnose a number of diseases accompanied by chronic vomiting and diarrhea. In IBD, it does not reveal any specific changes - the only findings in this disease may be a thickening of the intestinal wall or an increase in mesenteric lymph nodes. However, ultrasound is very convenient way search for focal lesions of the intestine and their aspiration biopsy with a thin needle.
Final Diagnosis
The prognosis for IBD is quite favorable, because. it is not one of the life threatening diseases. When IBD is complicated by protein-losing enteropathy or eosinophilic enteritis, in which there is extensive infiltration of the intestinal wall, the prognosis is unfavorable. The development of histiocytic colitis is also the basis for a poor or very cautious prognosis.
Treatment
Usually, immediately after the presumptive diagnosis of IBD is made (even before the completion of the entire set of differential diagnostic studies described above), a course of antibiotic therapy is prescribed and the animal is transferred to an easily digestible diet.
In addition to changing the diet of a dog with IBD, we recommend systematic antibiotic use for 1 month, which shortens the recovery period.
Prebiotics help change the gut environment by stimulating the growth of beneficial bacteria.
In some cases, antispasmodic drugs are used.
These drugs should not be discontinued immediately after the animal's clinical condition improves; this is done gradually over several weeks in order to avoid a recurrence of the disease.
Finally
Whatever treatment regimen is chosen, the owner of an animal with IBD should be aware that this disease often relapses. Therefore, he must strictly adhere to the instructions of the veterinarian regarding the use medicines and special diet.
Very often, dogs with IBD are hypersensitive to sudden dietary changes or supplements. feed additives. Treat a dog with IBD (especially if it is severe) this disease), without corticosteroid drugs is very difficult. For this reason, the recommended IBD treatment regimen provides for antibiotic therapy at the first stage in combination with the transfer of the animal to a special diet, and if this is not effective enough, the transition to the use of steroid drugs. If the dog has clinical condition after it stabilizes, it begins to deteriorate for an unknown reason (for example, due to abrupt change diet), monthly course antibiotic therapy is often very effective way treatment of relapse.
In cases of recurrent IBD, it is advisable to combine a special exclusionary diet with 1–2 courses of antibiotic therapy conducted during the year.
The owner may mistake his pet for banal poisoning or indigestion, but sometimes these signs indicate such serious illness like enterocolitis in dogs. Sometimes it is better to show your pet to a veterinarian, because only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis.
Enterocolitis in dogs is characterized by inflammation of the walls of the small and large intestines, as a result of which harmful microorganisms cause necrosis of the mucous membrane, irritation of the organ.
Most common causes pathologies are as follows:
Install exact problem, due to which inflammation of the intestine appeared, the doctor should and based on the diagnosis, therapy will be prescribed. Young and old individuals are most susceptible to enterocolitis, the disease is least often diagnosed in dogs of middle and mature age.
Symptoms of the disease are pronounced, they can not be overlooked. These include:
- Diarrhea with an admixture of mucus, if not treated at this stage, then streaks of blood appear in the stools.
- The progressive disease is characterized false calls dogs to empty.
- As a result of loose stools, irreversible processes occur at the muscle level, cases of prolapse of the intestine are recorded.
- Often the dog is tormented by vomiting.
- Against the background of diarrhea and vomiting, there is a sharp decrease in body weight.
- The pet's coat deteriorates, it begins to fall out, the appearance becomes dull, neglected - this is due to instant leaching from the body.
- The dog suffers from pain in the abdomen, the owner can fix bloating and flatulence in his pet.
- In some cases, fever and increased fever are recorded.
In addition to these signs of enterocolitis, there are general symptoms ill health - lethargy, apathy, unwillingness to walk.
Diagnosis of the disease
If one or more symptoms occur, you should go to the veterinary clinic. But before that, the owner is able to independently provide the first first aid to your pet. First of all, it is necessary to provide the pet with sufficient water, because with diarrhea and vomiting, dehydration of the body is recorded.
Restore in the body water-salt balance You can use diluted Polysorb. They should give the pet water in small doses for an hour. Castor oil will help cleanse your dog's intestines, making it easier for your veterinarian to diagnose the disease.
Upon arrival at the clinic, you will need to answer the doctor for a list of the following questions:
- Was there a sudden change in nutrition from one type to another?
- Has the animal been in contact with other individuals?
- Have you taken long trips with your dog?
- Does the animal like to dig in trash cans and bins?
- Walking on a leash or without it?
The veterinarian must be aware of all the painful symptoms of the animal, as well as those affixed. After a conversation and examination of the dog, tests are prescribed.
A blood test for biochemistry will allow the doctor to assess the condition and possible disturbances in activity internal organs- kidneys, liver, pancreas. The results will show the level nutrients in the body. With a lack of any element, vitamins can be prescribed. Biochemistry also reveals dehydration. This analysis is given in the morning on an empty stomach, but in emergency cases blood sampling can be done, neglecting these rules.
If you suspect foreign object stuck in the gastrointestinal tract, an x-ray is prescribed. It is this study that can guarantee the presence or absence of foreign bodies in the body. There is no need to prepare your dog for x-rays.
Your doctor may also order an ultrasound of your pet's abdomen. Prepare for this study:
- Within 10-12 hours the dog should not eat, as possible flatulence in the stomach will affect the result.
- The intestines are cleansed activated carbon before the ultrasound.
- In some cases, a few hours before the study - this facilitates the examination of the colon.
The modern method of diagnosing diseases associated with the gastrointestinal tract is endoscopy. During this study, the doctor has the opportunity to take tissue for a biopsy. The operation is low-traumatic, performed under general anesthesia. Microcameras are inserted into the dog's abdominal cavity, while the doctor evaluates the picture visually on the monitor.
Based on the results of tests and studies, the veterinarian diagnoses the dog and determines the subsequent treatment.
Treatment of enterocolitis in dogs at home
Therapy primarily depends on the type of pathogen. In most cases, the veterinarian prescribes a special diet for the sick dog. A day or two may be recommended therapeutic fasting, only drinking is allowed. The pet must receive enough drinking water This will prevent dehydration of the body.
If the animal has been previously fed, then the doctor may advise special meals for dogs with gastrointestinal problems. If the pet is accustomed to natural products, then the veterinarian will give a list of allowed products.
During rehabilitation are allowed:
- Lean meat, chicken, turkey.
- Cottage cheese with a minimum fat content.
- Broths on cereals, oatmeal or rice will do.
- Egg yolks.
During rehabilitation, it is prohibited:
- Egg white.
- Products with high content Sahara.
- Bones.
- Fatty meat and fish.
Prevention of enterocolitis
First of all, prevention consists in selecting the one that is appropriate for the age and health of the dog. If the animal consumes natural products, then you should give up meat and fish fatty varieties, give preference to broths that are easily absorbed by the body.
Timely vaccinations will protect the dog from a number of infections and bacteria that cause intestinal inflammation.
It is necessary to monitor the dog during a walk, you should not allow the animal to dig in garbage cans, it is not advisable to allow contact with other individuals, they can be carriers of diseases.
Prevention will reduce the risk of enterocolitis, and it is easier to prevent any ailment than to treat it later.
IBD is a real syndrome and it is important for the practicing veterinarian to understand this. However, it often turns into an excuse rather than a real diagnosis. More and more evidence is accumulating that shows that bacteria and diet are the main causes of inflammation in dogs and cats with this condition. See the Antibiotic Responsive Enteropathy section below.
Elimination diets
An elimination diet for diet-responsive disease is often beneficial in non-protein-losing malabsorption disease. There is no commercial food that is an appropriate elimination diet (hypoallergenic and suitable for non-allergic intolerance testing) for all dogs. We often see cases in which we did the right thing (i.e., used an elimination diet), but it was so poorly planned and executed that all efforts were in vain. It is necessary to carefully analyze the history and find out what the patient ate before. However, even if you have determined which food ingredients a patient has previously been exposed to, it is sometimes difficult to find a diet that would be effective for that particular patient. In some cases, all of our well-planned hypoallergenic diets are ineffective, but a certain brand of commercial food happens to be effective.
When transferring a patient to an elimination diet, homemade food or commercial food can be used. There are many excellent commercial feeds available and they usually prove to be effective. Homemade elimination diets are sometimes effective when commercial diet foods are ineffective; however, this is very rare. Therefore, you will have to decide what is best for the patient you are treating. Hydrolyzed foods are usually good, but not always the best choice for any patient. Some animals respond better to new protein foods than to hydrolysed foods, and vice versa. Whichever elimination diet is chosen, one must be prepared to feed the animal on that diet alone for at least 3-4 weeks (the absolute minimum) before its effectiveness can be accurately established. In rare cases, it is necessary to use the diet for 6-8 weeks before a reaction occurs, but this happens in less than 5% of cases. If the diet appears to be effective (i.e., weight gain occurs and diarrhea resolves), then it should be continued for at least the next 3-4 weeks to ensure that the change is due to the diet and not a temporary improvement in the patient's condition. which can happen for many reasons.
Antibiotic responsive enteropathy
Antibiotic responsive enteropathy (ARE) appears to be a relatively common problem in dogs. It can best be described as a syndrome in which upper divisions small intestine a large number of bacteria are present and the host reacts to them in a manner that causes intestinal dysfunction. These bacteria are not always obligate pathogens. On the contrary, they can refer to any species, and E. coli, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus and Corynebacterium are the most common aerobic/facultative aerobic bacteria, while Clostridium and Bacterioides are particularly common anaerobic bacteria. These bacteria appear to be commensals, or they may be the result of contamination from ingested material that is not cleared by the host's normal defense mechanisms. The symptoms they cause (if any) are likely to depend on (at least) two factors:
- What bacteria are present.
- How does the host organism react to them?
The relationship between ARE and IBD is not clear, but it seems very possible that bacteria may be responsible for the onset and/or maintenance of the intestinal inflammation we call IBD. The term dysbiosis has been proposed as a bridge between ARE and IBD. That is, the presence of bacteria that are somehow capable of causing problems (usually intestinal bacteria, such as E. coli), as opposed to the presence of overt pathogens.
Antibiotic-responsive enteropathy is difficult to definitively diagnose based on laboratory tests. Histopathology and cytology of the intestinal mucosa are extremely insensitive in relation to the detection of ARE. Serum concentrations of cobalamin and folate were used to make the diagnosis, and the simultaneous detection of low concentrations of cobalamin and increased concentration serum folate was considered relatively specific for ARE. However, the measurement of serum cobalamin and folate concentrations is a relatively insensitive and non-specific method for detecting ARE. There are many dogs with chronic disease gastrointestinal tract responding to the use of antibiotics, in which the concentrations of cobalamin and / or folate are normal. It appears that treatment with ARE is reasonable regardless of whether serum cobalamin and folate concentrations are normal or abnormal, raising the question of whether their measurement is useful in making a diagnosis of this disease. The detection of hypocobalaminemia or low serum folate is useful when trying to detect latent disease gastrointestinal tract. Supplementation with cobalamin can lead to a clear improvement in the condition of cats and a decrease in diarrhea. In fact, we almost always conclude that there is nothing wrong with giving any sick cat an injection of cobalamin, regardless of the level of this vitamin in the blood. Severe hypocobalaminemia has always been considered a poor prognostic sign. But if the significance of cobalamin supplementation in cats is obvious (in fact, it is almost never harmful to give a sick cat supplemental cobalamin), then clinical significance administration of cobalamin to dogs with low concentrations serum cobalamin remains unclear.
Because of the apparent difficulty in diagnosing ARE using laboratory tests, empiric antibiotic therapy is often chosen as a diagnostic tool instead of laboratory tests.
The obvious disadvantages of this approach are:
- the clinical "reaction" of the patient to the administered antibiotics may be due to both antibiotics and other reasons;
- if the patient does not respond to the antibiotic, it is possible that you have used the wrong antibiotic;
- even if the patient has ARE, he may also have some other disease (for example, a tumor that causes partial intestinal obstruction) that predisposes the patient to ARE.
Because any bacteria can be present in the upper small intestine, the types of bacteria in the upper small intestine can change weekly, and we rarely know which bacteria we are trying to target, antibiotics are indicated. a wide range actions designed to reduce total number bacteria.
We will never be able to sterilize the gastrointestinal tract. However, because Clinical signs due to a combination a large number bacteria and an impaired host response, a simple reduction in bacterial numbers is often beneficial. Oral aminoglycosides are generally considered a poor choice for the treatment of ARE because anaerobic bacteria(which are believed to be the most problematic) are resistant to aminoglycosides. But this opinion is not absolutely correct, since occasionally there are patients who become clearly better after oral administration of amikacin.
Tetracycline is often effective; however, tetracycline is inconvenient to give. Tetracycline must be given alone (i.e. without any food) and flushed with water so that the capsule or tablet does not get stuck in the esophagus and cause esophagitis.
Tylosin powder has also been used and is recognized by many physicians.
Some doctors like to use metronidazole; but I was not impressed with the effectiveness of metronidazole as monotherapy with ARE. However, metronidazole is of real benefit in many GI disorders, presumably because it is effective in killing many anaerobic bacteria.
To treat patients who are very seriously ill and need to know immediately if they will respond to antibiotics (that is, in the case of patients who are so seriously ill that you cannot wait 2-3 weeks to see if the reactions no treatment), I use a combination of enrofloxacin and metronidazole. This does not mean that I use this combination for long periods of time. I use this combination when I absolutely need to know if I will get a clinical response within 2-3 next weeks or lose a patient.
Regardless of which drug is used, trial treatment should be carried out for (at least) 2-3 weeks before a conclusion can be drawn about its effectiveness. Remember that you must not only reduce the number of bacteria, but also give the intestinal mucosa time to heal. In addition, the simultaneous use of a high-quality elimination diet can significantly increase the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy, so we usually use both approaches in our treatment attempts.
If a patient responds to trial treatment with an elimination diet and antibiotics, then it is probably best not to change anything for the next 2-4 weeks to ensure that the patient actually responds to this therapy (as opposed to a patient who had an occasional temporary improvement for unknown reasons). If the patient feels well during this period, then you can stop taking antibiotics and see if one diet will be enough to eliminate the symptoms; or slowly reduce the dose of antibiotics to the lowest effective dose (eg, reduce the dose every day or every other day). It all depends on how often clinical symptoms. In the event that symptoms occur once every 2 months or less, it is advisable to treat only if the patient is symptomatic. If symptoms consistently return a few days after you stop taking antibiotics, then you may need to be treated almost continuously. This second situation is one of two situations in veterinary medicine where I find it useful to determine the minimum effective dose of an antibiotic. Some patients need antibiotics only once every 2-3 days to suppress symptoms. In some patients, clinical symptoms suddenly reappear after a few weeks or months, at which time another antibiotic must be used. If a decision is made to stop taking antibiotics, pet owners should be warned that symptoms may reappear after some time. As for the ARE, there is usually some kind of defect defense mechanisms host organism that allows commensal bacteria to cause clinical symptoms, and this defect is unlikely to disappear. The question is, how serious is this defect (ie, will the dog's problems be permanent or intermittent)? You should warn clients that they will likely have to re-tackle the problem and explain the difference between "curing" and "controlling" the disease.
It may be a good idea to routinely treat all dogs with chronic small bowel disease on an ARE regimen, even if you have histological evidence of IBD or other disease. I use an ARE regimen almost every time I diagnose a dog with malabsorptive disease, as there is no ARE test that can reliably rule out this condition, including cobalamin and folate.
Diseases of the digestive tract in dogs are very common, they are more not a disease, but a symptom of it. Therefore, it is worth distinguishing the main problems and understanding what they signal.
The main clinical symptoms: diarrhea, anorexia, pain, flatulence, lack of defecation, polydipsia, dehydration. Change in the shape, color, quantity and volume of feces Sometimes vomiting. Diarrhea is the main symptom of bowel disease, Diarrhea is considered even once unformed chair Constipation is the absence of a bowel movement for 2 days. Strong smell fecal mass does not indicate the severity of the disease
Enterocolitis
Mucosal inflammation small intestines- enteritis and colon - colitis. It usually runs at the same time. As a primary disease, enterocolitis is rare due to improper feeding, a predisposition to allergies in shepherd dogs. In most cases, intestinal inflammation occurs as a secondary process in acute infections, parasitic and protozoal diseases, salt poisoning. heavy metals, tumor lesions of the intestinal wall and in a number of other pathologies.
Due to the variety of factors that cause the development of enterocolitis, it is not always possible to correctly diagnose the disease and conduct timely specific treatment As a result sharp forms diseases become chronic. At the same time, inflammatory changes in the intestinal mucosa decrease, but secretory-motor disorders increase.
Symptoms
Clinically, bowel disease is always accompanied by diarrhea. Fecal masses at the same time, at first, a mushy consistency, with an admixture of mucus, then become watery, containing blood. Severe diarrhea is always accompanied by tenesmus and there is a danger of rectal prolapse Sometimes inflammation develops anus, then the dog intensively licks this area, sits on the ground and, moving as if “on a sled”, rubs the tissues
Palpation reveals a slight rigidity of the abdominal wall, soreness and "rumbling" in the intestines, auscultation - increased peristaltic noises. When X-ray of the intestine, accelerated passage of contrast masses, a tendency of muscle tissue to spasms are noted. Changes in the status of the blood depend on the severity of the disease.
On the outpatient appointment outpatient clinics are usually very busy with diarrhoea. When making a diagnosis, a clear sequence of differential diagnostic and therapeutic actions doctor
Diarrhea associated with enterotoxemia (salmonellosis) usually takes on threatening forms and leads to the death of the animal from hemodynamic disorders within 24 hours.
The appearance of blood in the feces is an additional differential diagnostic sign noted in plague, leptospirosis, infectious hepatitis, parvovirus enteritis, sepsis, salmonellosis, coccidiosis, giardiasis, hookworm, congestion in the portal vein.
In case of intestinal bleeding, it is necessary to examine the skin, especially in the ears, in order to detect petechiae associated with hemorrhagic diathesis. In case of bleeding that cannot be treated, it is recommended to feed the animal only with carbohydrates for 3-4 days, then to examine the feces for blood for the second time. If there is still blood, examine the rectum and conduct a scatological analysis for the detection of hookworm. With a negative result of research and preservation intestinal bleeding do a diagnostic laparotomy to exclude a decaying tumor.
Intestinal bleeding associated with jaundice is highly suggestive of leptospirosis. Prolonged inflammation of the duodenum due to edema and compression of the opening of the bile duct can also lead to the development of jaundice.
The protracted course of enterocolitis is evidenced by a decrease in the fatness of the animal, loss of skin elasticity, fading and untidy condition of the coat, especially around the anus.
If a specific pathogen is not identified and a tumor is not detected, the cause of intestinal inflammation is probably improper feeding.
Forecast
Depends on the underlying disease.
Treatment
First, especially in acute catarrh, the animal is denied food for 1-2 days, giving unlimited water and small portions of tea. In the following days, they decide to give a little oatmeal and minced meat. Milk, sugar, eggs, fat and bones are contraindicated. Drug treatment begins with cleansing the gastrointestinal tract. For this, they prescribe Castor oil 1-3 tablespoons inside.
If the inflammation is localized in the large intestine, then a deep enema (water with hydrogen peroxide) is preferable. A further treatment plan is built in accordance with differential diagnosis: antibiotic therapy- antibiotics (kanamycin, chloramphenicol) and chemotherapy drugs (biseptol, intestopan). If nephritis is detected and leptospirosis is suspected in connection with this, a 4-fold administration of penicillin with streptomycin is prescribed for the treatment of the latter.
In chronic enterocolitis, it is especially important to follow a diet for a long time (1-2 months), to replenish fluid in the body. Character drug therapy there should be more of a recovery plan.
Intestinal coprostasis
Stopping the movement of feces through the intestines with blockage of its lumen is quite common as a result of feeding dogs with bones and large portions of food. But the cause of the disease is not always improper feeding.
In old males with prostatic hypertrophy, the rectum is compressed by an enlarged gland, which interferes with the passage of feces. The diameter of the intestinal lumen may be narrowed due to multiple fractures of the pelvic bones. In such patients, the development of coprostasis is avoided by regular administration of laxatives. Intestinal constipation can occur after enterotomy, with the formation of a stricture of the intestinal tube as a result of an incorrectly performed surgical suture.
stale stool dehydrated due to the reabsorption of water by the intestinal wall, compacted, forming a lump, finally clogging the lumen.
Symptoms
Mild anxiety of the animal, a slight increase in the volume of the abdomen, frequent straining and unsuccessful attempts to defecate are noted. Palpation determines the rigidity of the abdominal wall, in the intestine - an oblong or rounded soft lump, which is crushed with fingers.
Diagnosis
They are set according to the results of an x-ray examination of the intestine with contrast.
Technique of contrast enterocolonogra-f and i. The animal is given inside 100-250 ml of a liquid barium sulfate suspension. The tube of the apparatus is centered on the abdomen. Pictures are taken in two projections at regular intervals. The duration of gastric emptying is 2 hours. The contrast masses are completely in the rectum after 6-8 hours, at the latest after 16 hours. On the radiograph, a delay of contrast masses is noted, a round shadow filling the intestinal lumen and containing mainly bones.
Treatment
In mild cases, antispasmodics are prescribed and castor and Vaseline oil in a ratio of 1:20. In more severe cases under general anesthesia, frequent water enemas are made, and the caked feces are removed with obstetric forceps through the lumen of the anal ring.
Histiocytic ulcerative colitis
A disease, apparently, of an autoimmune nature, in which multiple lesions of the mucous membrane of the large intestine are formed. A symptom of this disease is mucous, often mixed with blood and usually liquid feces. Unlike many other bowel diseases, this inflammation is difficult to treat, so it is chronic. In most cases, German boxers under the age of 2 years are sick. There are reports of Afghan hounds and dogs of some other breeds having been ill. It is believed that there is a genetic predisposition to the disease, but the autoimmune mechanism of occurrence has not yet been conclusively proven.
Symptoms
In sick animals, frequent defecation is noted - 5-6 times a day. Convulsive tenesmus after defecation is also a symptom of the disease. Feces are liquid, slimy or mixed with fresh blood, patches - generally one blood. But each dog's symptoms are different. Some animals sometimes vomit. Over time, emaciation and anemia increase.
Rectal examination shows a thickened mucosa dotted with red dots, contains bleeding areas and flat erosions. Histological examination confirms inflammatory changes in the mucous membrane and reveals the accumulation of histiocytes there. The duration of the disease also makes one think about the diagnosis of the disease.
Mortality due to histiocytic ulcerative colitis low.
Treatment
Long-term diet, continuous chemotherapy, and restriction of the animal's movements keep the disease within the normal range. The diet involves the inclusion in the diet of products from which little feces are formed, as well as bran. Chemotherapy consists of lifelong treatment with low doses of corticosteroid hormones and short courses of sulfasalazopyridazine.
Proctitis
This is a non-specific inflammation of the rectal mucosa associated with inflammation of the anal and circummanal glands, often turning into one another and manifesting the same symptoms.
Symptoms
Animals experience pain during defecation, often lick the anus, twist to reach the anus, sit down and rub against the ground - a forced sledding posture. On examination, they find purulent discharge from the anus and the formation of para-anal fistulas along the perimeter of the anus, which distinguishes this disease from sinusitis (see below).
Treatment
Prescribe antibiotics, painkillers and anti-inflammatory rectal suppositories.
paranasal sinusitis. This is inflammation of the paranal sinuses, associated with a violation of their emptying from the secret.
Symptoms
The disease is manifested by unexpected squats of the animal and "sledding". This is the result of intense itching and pain. From friction on the ground, growths form on the pelvic limbs. Animals lick the anus, spin in a circle. Sometimes there is a delay in defecation.
With the introduction of the index finger into the rectum closer to the anus at the bottom left and right, a hidden expansion of both sinuses is detected. Big pressure and index finger on the sinus leads to the release of a fetid green-yellow or brown thick pasty secretion from the excretory duct.
The disease can proceed for a long time and eventually passes into the stage of abscessing, when the contents of one of the sinuses break through the tissues to the outside. At the same time, a painful hot swelling of a dark cherry color with a softening in the center is formed to the left or right of the anus. Later, the skin breaks through and the contents of the abscess flow out. This is repeated many times.
Treatment. In mild cases, the sinuses are emptied weekly with fingers. In more severe cases, sinus cavities are washed with Lugol's solution. To do this, a milk catheter with a truncated cone is inserted into the excretory duct of the sinus and a solution is fed through it from the syringe.
Formed abscesses are opened. With multiple abscess formation, a bilateral resection of the sinuses is performed.
Operation technique. General anesthesia, the position of the animal on the abdomen with an elevated pelvic region.
A metal bellied probe is inserted into the sinus. The tissues are cut in the direction of the probe, stepping back from the inlet by 0.5 cm. The apex of the sinus is incised, the mucous membrane is captured with mosquito tweezers. The sinus is separated from the surrounding tissues with scissors, the sinus is resected. Vessels are ligated and tissues are sutured. Similarly, a sinus resection is performed on the other side.
Gluing wool around the anus
This disease does not directly belong to the number of gastrointestinal pathologies, but, influencing indirectly, causes the appearance of their characteristic symptoms. Occurs in young long-haired dogs, especially poodles
Symptoms
The hair around the anus is stuck together with feces. As a result, at the time of defecation, animals experience severe pain, often sit down, push, but they cannot recover. There are symptoms characteristic of blockage of the intestine: apathy, anorexia, vomiting. There is paresis of the anus. The skin of the paraanal region becomes inflamed with the formation of abscesses and necrotic areas. Perhaps the development of strictures of the rectum.
Treatment
Carefully cut off the hair glued with feces. The inflamed areas of the skin are treated with a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide, glucocorticoid and antibiotic ointments are applied externally. Rectal anesthetic suppositories are administered. Upon restoration of the act of defecation, paresis of the anus passes independently. In the presence of strictures, the anus is forcibly expanded with the fingers.
Peritonitis
This is an inflammation of the peritoneum that occurs when an infection (microbes, viruses, fungi) spreads through the bloodstream or during the transition pathological process from the abdominal organs. how primary disease peritonitis is very rare. It proceeds acutely and chronically.
Acute peritonitis develops on the basis of lesions of the gastrointestinal tract (perforation of the wall by foreign bodies, rupture of the stomach, perforated ulcer), uterus (perforation of the wall with pyometra, placental necrosis, postpartum sepsis), urinary and gall bladders (perforation, rupture of walls -ki), after laparocentesis and laparotomy with insufficient asepsis.
Chronic peritonitis may persist after an acute process, or may occur immediately as a chronic one, which happens, for example, with tuberculosis or streptotrichosis May have a limited local flow(adhesive peritonitis), for example, in the formation of adhesions after surgery, in violation of intestinal sutures, small perforations of the intestinal wall
Symptoms
Inflammation of the peritoneum is roughly indicated by an increase in the trunk, strenuous walking, a sudden deterioration in the condition in diseases of the abdominal organs. Acute peritonitis is a generalized disease that occurs with high temperature and very high leukocytosis (100 thousand cells and more per 1 mm3). The abdomen is tucked up, tense and painful.
Urination and defecation are disturbed, often absent. Sometimes there is vomiting, tenesmus, rapid breathing, shallow, chest type. Sunken eyes, red mucous membranes, capillary filling rate over 2 s. The pulse is rapid, small filling, up to threadlike. The liquid aspirated during laparocentesis is cloudy, serous, purulent or bloody, containing fibrin flakes.
In chronic peritonitis, all of the above symptoms may not be detected. The animal is lethargic, drowsy, the abdomen is somewhat enlarged, sagging. Therefore, chronic peritonitis is often diagnosed only with laparotomy (clouding of the peritoneum, thickening, raids, spot bleeding).
But the blood status is indicative for both courses of peritonitis (accelerated ESR, leukocytosis with a hyperregenerative shift of the nucleus to the left until young and young cells appear).
Differentiate peritonitis from ascites (blood status, laparocentesis).
Forecast
Always careful.
Treatment
Eliminate the underlying disease. If a lot of pus accumulates in the peritoneal cavity, then it is removed by draining with a gauze strip.
Technique of drainage of the peritoneal cavity. Local anesthesia, the position of the animal on its side, paramedian perforation of the abdominal wall with a length of 2-3 cm.
Through the perforation, a sterile bordered gauze tourniquet 4 m long is introduced into the peritoneal cavity. When pushing the gauze, it is impregnated with an antibiotic solution. The purpose of this procedure is to remove the accumulated pus. In this regard, the gauze tourniquet is pulled out daily for 4 days in parts (1 m each) from the wound along with pus.
Before closing the wound, it is washed as deeply as possible with a saline solution with antibiotics. If it becomes necessary to drain the peritoneal cavity after laparotomy, then a gauze tourniquet is passed through the caudal angle operating wound. However, these activities are rarely needed. Usually enough administration of antibiotics in combination with glucocorticoids. In some cases, in case of circulatory disorders, intravenous drip infusions of electrolytes, plasma-substituting solutions, cardiac glycosides, etc. are carried out.
Major bowel diseases are difficult in case of an untimely reaction. The main thing when the first symptoms occur is to provide first aid and contact veterinarian to make a diagnosis in order to start treatment as soon as possible. Even a slight malaise can be the beginning of very severe infections or general disorders in the gastrointestinal tract.
Walking the dog, or cleaning up the places where he lays waste products, you must also jealously consider the consistency, color, content. Of course, this procedure is not pleasant, but the timely identification of something out of the ordinary will help to provide assistance to the animal even before the moment of irreversibility.
Signs of intestinal inflammation in dogs
Very often, dog owners talk about intestinal inflammation on a single basis -.
Inflammation of the intestines can be infectious.
Non-contagious
- The main non-infectious cause may be . You have moved to a new place of residence, the dog has changed its place of residence, a long absence of a beloved owner, etc., all this can cause a decrease in immunity.
- Also affects the body overheating or hypothermia . The resistance of the organism, the ability to resist, falls, and at this time the virulence of microorganisms (for example, coli), which are in the body in a conditionally pathogenic form, increases, and all together manifests itself with clinical signs.
- Changing food can also lead to inflammation. . For a certain type of feed, a dog develops the production of certain enzymes. As soon as we, for example, stop introducing into the diet dairy products, the enzyme ceases to be released and after a while, the animal will react with an inflammatory reaction.
- It also happens that seemingly quite normal, familiar becomes the cause of inflammation . The whole point may be in a low-quality batch, which, for one reason or another, has undergone bacterial contamination.
- With inflammation of non-contagious etiology, as a rule, the temperature does not rise. . However, if help is not provided to the animal in a timely manner, then the body may not cope on its own.
- Inflammation may be due to antibiotics . If it was carried out, and the course of treatment was delayed, antibiotics suppressed normal work intestinal microflora, killing it, which manifested itself in inflammation. After 2-3 days, the microflora will be restored, and everything will return to normal.
Stress is a non-infectious cause.
infectious
There are a number of microorganisms (for example, salmonella), which, getting into the body of a mammal, choose the intestines as their habitat. Settling between the villous epithelium, they begin to multiply intensively, releasing waste products into the animal's body.
A hallmark of an infectious onset is an increase in temperature. It is she who says that the body is trying to fight by "burning" the pathogenic microorganism.
Roundworms can cause intestinal inflammation.
That is why it is so important to timely and regular(quarterly) deworming of the dog with complex preparations.
Intestinal inflammation may be caused by roundworms living in the lumen of the intestines, flat, unicellular microorganisms, such as, (causing isosporiasis).
Establishing diagnosis
An ultrasound examination of the intestines in a dog.
The diagnosis cannot be made on the basis of any one symptom. Only a comprehensive study, including laboratory, can open true reason and prescribe the correct treatment.
Based comprehensive research a diagnosis is made.
If it is not possible to contact a qualified specialist, and the dog needs urgent help, it is necessary to resort to the drugs available in the emergency veterinary first aid kit.
Treatment
Let's take a look at the different treatment regimens for inflammatory bowel disease in dogs.
How to treat inflammation of the intestines in a dog?
Antibiotics
The first "doctor" for the intestines is a group of broad-spectrum antibiotics that kill the pathogenic microflora localized in the intestines.
As such means, you can use the drug " Levomycetin ". By feeding a large (10+) dog 1/4 tablet 2 times a day, and a small dog 1/6 tablet, the result can be seen the very next day. However, this does not mean that treatment can be stopped. The course of antibiotic therapy should last at least 5-6 days.
Levomycetin fights pathogenic microflora.
Nitrofuran
Of this group of drugs, the most harmless and quite effective is furazolidone.
The drug can cope with the intestinal pathogenic microflora, fungi and protozoa, which is why it is successfully used in dog farms. and mixing with food, it is necessary to set the drug for 7–9 days.
Anthelmintics
If the cause of inflammation is nematodes or coccidia, and the pathogenic microflora is already secondary, then chloramphenicol will help for a while, and then the situation will repeat itself. In this case, it is necessary to apply the oral suspension "Prokoks". She will kill and roundworm and coccidia.
Procox will help get rid of the roundworm.
If veterinary drug not at hand, then you can use sulfademitoxin, which helps well with isosporosis. In this case, the dose must be maintained at 20-25 mg / kg of the dog's weight and the drug should be given for 10 days.
If found in fecal matter segments cucumber tapeworm(dipilidiosis) then you can’t do without kanikvantel or drontal.
findings
Inflammatory signs can drag on, and it will be more difficult to solve the problem on your own, so do not put off a visit to a veterinarian.
To prevent the inflammation from dragging on, you need to contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Video about gastrointestinal diseases in dogs
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