808
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
→Diagnosis
==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
Ante-mortem diagnosis of the disease is difficult because changes are confined to the gastro-intestinal tract. However the combination of a supportive history and clinical signs strongly suggestives grass sickness, definitive diagnosis is made on ileal biopsy or at post mortem exam.
Ante-mortem diagnosis of the disease is difficult because changes are confined to the gastro-intestinal tract. However the combination of a supportive history and clinical signs is strongly suggestive of grass sickness, definitive diagnosis is made on ileal biopsy or at post mortem examination.
===Clinical signs===
===Clinical signs===
Rectal examination reveals dry faecal balls, large colon impaction and distented loops of small intestine. Gut sounds are reduced or absent due to gastrointenstinal atony. Passage of a stomach tube often results in gastric reflux of up to 20L.
Rectal examination reveals dry faecal balls, large colon impaction and distented loops of small intestine. Gut sounds are reduced or absent due to gastrointenstinal atony. Passage of a stomach tube often results in gastric reflux of up to 20L.
Subtle signs of ptosis and dry rhinitis should not be missed.
Subtle signs of ptosis and dry rhinitis should be noted.
====Chronic====
====Chronic====
===Pathology===
===Pathology===
The [[Forestomach - Anatomy & Physiology|Stomach]] and [[Small Intestine - Anatomy & Physiology|small intestine]] may be distented and contain large amounts of yellow fluid.
There is an abrupt change in the [[Large Intestine - Anatomy & Physiology|large intestine]], where no fluid is present and the contents are very dry and mucoid.
==Treatment==
==Treatment==