Category:Enteritis, Catarrhal

General

• Catarrhal enteritis is particularly common in farm animals, especially in the first few days of life.
• The combination of the outpouring of protein rich fluid and low absorption produces rapid dehydration and often death.
• The causes are numerous - some are considered below.

Pathology

• Hyperaemia of the gut may be visible through the serosa, although there is no external damage.
  • Blood vessels are obvious
  • The whole bowel appears red looking, wet shiny and oedematous.
• Internally, the mucosa is oedematous with a mucoid appearance.
• The exudate is initially thin and watery (i.e. serous).
  • The exudate becomes more mucoid and cellular as the condition progresses.
    • Mucus coats the epithelial surface of the gut.
  • As polymorphs enter the bowel contents, they may become quite opaque (i.e. mucopurulent).
• In older cases of catarrhal enteritis epithelial cells are lost.
  • Villi become stubby.
  • Mucosa may appear quite shiny.

Enteritis, Parasitic

Category:Enteritis, Viral

Category:Enteritis, Bacterial

Bacterial enteritis