|
|
Line 17: |
Line 17: |
| | | |
| | | |
− | ===Functional Obstruction=== | + | ===[[:Category:Intestine - Functional Obstruction]]=== |
| | | |
− | ====Paralytic Ileus====
| |
| | | |
− | * A common condition.
| |
− | * Occurs following trauma or abdominal surgery.
| |
− | * Stasis of gut flow due to failure of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peristalsis| peristalsis].
| |
− | ** Leads to distension with gas and fluid, as well as a flaccid intestinal wall.
| |
− |
| |
− | =====Causes=====
| |
− |
| |
− | * Anything which stops peristalsis, e.g.
| |
− | ** Damage to nerve supply to intestine (autonomic nervous system)
| |
− | ** Pain
| |
− | ** Abnormal metabolism
| |
− | ** Toxaemia
| |
− | ** Electrolyte imbalance such as hypocalcaemia, hypomagnesaemia, and hypokalaemia.
| |
− | * Also in
| |
− | ** Diabetes mellitus
| |
− | ** Uraemia
| |
− | ** Tetanus
| |
− | ** Lead poisoning.
| |
− |
| |
− | =====Pathology=====
| |
− |
| |
− | * loss of smooth muscle tone leads to a flaccid bowel.
| |
− | * Bowel is distended with fluid.
| |
− |
| |
− | =====Pathogenesis=====
| |
− |
| |
− | * Intestine susceptible to neurogenic damage during an operation.
| |
− | * Peristalsis fades away over a few days producing paralytic (adynamic) ileus.
| |
− | * Particularly occurs if bowel handled roughly, or if serosa gets cold and dry at surgery.
| |
− | * Very difficult to start peristalsis again but will sometimes respond to pharmacological or electrical stimulation.
| |
− | * The horse is very susceptible, and the dog is somewhat suscpeitble.
| |
− |
| |
− | ====Dysautonomia====
| |
− |
| |
− | * Most notably affects horses and cats.
| |
− |
| |
− | =====Equine dysautonomia, or grass sickness=====
| |
− |
| |
− | * Most prevalent in the UK and western Europe.
| |
− | ** Common in wetter areas, e.g. the South West.
| |
− | * Seen in horses out at pasture in late summer and autumn.
| |
− | * Usually affects young adults.
| |
− | ** 6-7 years old.
| |
− | * '''Clinical'''
| |
− | ** Acute oneset:
| |
− | *** Muscular tremors
| |
− | *** Abdominal pain
| |
− | *** Does not eat
| |
− | *** Constipation
| |
− | *** Become severly tympanic in acute cases
| |
− | *** Dull and restless
| |
− | *** Avoid swallowing
| |
− | *** Salivate excessively
| |
− | ** Degenerative lesions are seen in the autonomic nerve ganglia, including enteric plexuses
| |
− | ** May either:
| |
− | *** Progress rapidly to death
| |
− | *** Take a slower clinical course.
| |
− | **** Eat a bit, but food drops out of mouth
| |
− | **** Go on to die slowly.
| |
− | ** Some horses recover
| |
− | *** This is very unlikely, and the condition is usually fatal.
| |
− | ** Clinically difficult to diagnose - signs are confined to the gut.
| |
− | *** Easy to diagnose on post mortem
| |
− | * '''Pathology'''
| |
− | ** [[Forestomach - Anatomy & Physiology|Stomach]] and [[Small Intestine - Anatomy & Physiology|small intestine]] large amounts of contain watery yellow fluid.
| |
− | *** There is an abrupt change in the [[Large Intestine - Anatomy & Physiology|large intestine]], where no fluid is present.
| |
− | **** [[Large Intestine - Anatomy & Physiology|large intestine]] has very dry mucoid contents.
| |
− | * '''Pathogenesis'''
| |
− | ** Due to functional obstruction at ileocaecal valve and a degree of paralytic ileus of the [[Small Intestine - Anatomy & Physiology|small intestine]].
| |
− | ** The exact cause is unknown, but a type of bacterial or fungal toxin which may damage autonomic nervous system ganglia may be involved.
| |
− | *** ''[[Clostridium botulinum]]'' is thought to be involved.
| |
− | * A similar condition seen in hares
| |
− | ** Certain yeares almost seem to have outbreaks.
| |
− | * Certain pastures at certain times of year produce grass sickness quite often.
| |
− | ** A definitive diagnosis must be made - if the condition is due to the grazing we need to know.
| |
− | *** E.g. if on livery or stud grazing, may put people off going there.
| |
− | * 'Diagnosis'''
| |
− | ** At post mortem look for degenerative changes in coeliaco-mesenteric ganglia - need to examine histologically.
| |
− | *** Ganglia are peanut sized and found in perirenal fat between adrenal gland and the aorta.
| |
− |
| |
− | =====Feline dysautonomia, or Key-Gaskell Syndrome=====
| |
− | [[Image:Ba 250 07.jpg|thumb|right|Histological section of degenerate neuron in feline dysautonomia(Courtesy of Susan Rhind)]]
| |
− | * Occurs mostly in the UK and continental Europe.
| |
− | * Is also of unknown aetiology. Suggested causative factors include:
| |
− | ** Environmental toxins
| |
− | ** Infectious agents
| |
− | ** Botulinum toxins .
| |
− | * Clinical signs:
| |
− | ** Anorexia
| |
− | ** Depression
| |
− | ** Bradycardia
| |
− | ** Decreased lacrimation,
| |
− | ** Altered pupillary dilataion,
| |
− | ** [[Megaoesophagus]]
| |
− | ** Constipation.
| |
− | * Degenerative lesions of autonomic nerve ganglia can be seen.
| |
− | * Also occurs in the [[Key-Gaskell Syndrome|oesophagus]].
| |
| [[Category:Intestine - Physical Disturbances]] | | [[Category:Intestine - Physical Disturbances]] |