Changes

==Description==

==Description==

Short bowel syndrome occurs when greater than 75-90% of small intestine is absent.  It is most commonly caused by iatrogenic surgical resection, although congenital anomaly can occur.  The remaining small intestine cannot adequately absorb nutrients and electrolytes, resulting in diarrhoea.  If the ileocolic valve has been removed, a large number of bacteria is more likely to reach the small intestine.  However, this may be only be transient as the remaining of the intestine can undergo adaptive hyperplasia.  This syndrome does not o

Short bowel syndrome occurs when greater than 75-90% of small intestine is absent.  It is most commonly caused by iatrogenic surgical resection, although congenital anomaly can occur.  The remaining small intestine cannot adequately absorb nutrients and electrolytes, resulting in diarrhoea.  If the ileocolic valve has been removed, a large number of bacteria is more likely to reach the small intestine.  However, this may be only be transient as the remaining of the intestine can undergo adaptive hyperplasia.  This syndrome does not necesary occur in all cases which have undergone intestinal resection. 

 

==Diagnosis==

==Diagnosis==

===Clinical Signs===

===Clinical Signs===

*Small intestinal diarrhoea

*Small intestinal diarrhoea, often with udigested food particles in the faeces

*Weight loss

*Severe weight loss

In cases which occur after surgical bowel resection, the presenting clinical signs is sufficient to make a diagnosis.  In cases of congenital origin, a plain or contrast radiography is required.  

In cases which occur after surgical bowel resection, the presenting clinical signs is sufficient to make a diagnosis.  In cases of congenital origin, a plain or contrast radiography is required.  

==Treatment==

==Treatment==

===Dietary modification===

===Dietary modification===

*Highly digestible, low fat diet is recommended.

*Small, frequent meals of highly digestible, low fat diet is recommended.

*Vitamin supplementation may be required.

*Vitamin supplementation may be required.

===Antimicrobials===

===Antimicrobials===

*A secondary antibiotic responsive diarrhoea may result if the ileocaecal valve is removed.

*A secondary antibiotic responsive diarrhoea may result if the ileocaecal valve is removed.

*Metronicazole or tylosin can be given in these cases.

*Metronidazole or tylosin can be given in these cases.

===Antisecretory agents & antacids===

===Antisecretory agents & antacids===

*These may be needed in cases which are poorly responsive.

*These may be needed in cases which are poorly responsive to lessen diarrhoea and gastric hypersecretion.

*Antisecretory agents such as loperamide, diphenoxylate.

*Antisecretory agents such as loperamide, diphenoxylate.

*Antacids such as ranitidine, famotidine

*Antacids such as ranitidine, famotidine.

===Nutritional support===

===Nutritional support===

*Total or partial parenteral nutrition may be required in some cases to provide adequate nutrition until adaptive hyperplasia takes place.

*Total or partial parenteral nutrition may be required in some cases to provide adequate nutrition until adaptive hyperplasia takes place.

==Prognosis==

==Prognosis==

This is dependent on the length of the small intestine that remains.  If adequate adaptive hyperplasia takes place, the patient may respond well.  However, there will always be a limitation in the absoptive capacity of these animals.  Some cases may respond poorly to treatment.

This is dependent on the length of the small intestine that remains.  If adequate adaption occurs, the patient may respond well and eventually be ablet to consume near-normal diet.  However, there will always be a limitation in the absoptive capacity of these animals.  Some cases may respond poorly and can never be fed on a normal diet or some may die.  Malnourished animals have a poorer prognosis.