Gastrointestinal Disorders in NTCA

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is a significant anatomical feature of rodents regarding their teeth?

Their incisors continuously erupt. (correct)

They have fixed-length incisors.

Their cheek teeth are genetically predetermined.

Rodents are unable to regurgitate.

Which of the following is true regarding coprophagy and caecotrophy in rodents?

Rodents do not practice either behavior.

Coprophagy is common in all rodents.

Caecotrophy is the process of eating feces.

Caecotrophy helps in nutritional absorption. (correct)

What condition is indicated by porphyrin staining around the eyes in rats?

A specific genetic disorder.

A non-specific indication of stress or illness. (correct)

Sign of an infection.

A symptom of allergy.

What is the primary reason for bruxism in rodents?

Pain-related behavior. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following traits is true for gerbils' adaptations?

They have extreme adaptations for desert survival. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why might rats have yellowish teeth?

From iron in the enamel. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What general disease process is common across various species in non-traditional companion animals?

Underlying pathophysiological changes. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why might a veterinarian consider the ecological niche of an animal when diagnosing gastrointestinal disorders?

To assess the environmental causes of illness. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential symptom of gastrointestinal stasis in rodents?

Hunched posture (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following conditions can lead to non-infectious diarrhoea in rodents?

Dietary change (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of dysphagia in ferrets?

Refusal to eat (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which diagnostic approach involves checking the teeth and abdominal auscultation?

Physical examination (C) Signup and view all the answers

What type of diarrhoea can be caused by Lawsonia intracellularis?

Bacterial diarrhoea (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant consequence of foreign body obstruction in rodents?

Reduced gut motility (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which diagnostic test is specifically used for identifying pinworms in rodents?

Tape strips from rectum (B) Signup and view all the answers

What type of stool output is commonly associated with hypersalivation in rodents?

Loose stools (A) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Gastrointestinal Disorders in Non-Traditional Companion Animals (NTCA)

VMS 3010 course on the approach to gastrointestinal disorders in NTCA
Course material provided by Dr Sharmini Julite Paramasiva
Course content adapted and updated from previous work by Dan Horton and Will Wilkinson
Includes learning outcomes, overview for mammals (including rodents and ferrets), birds, and reptiles.
Learning outcomes include applying existing knowledge of structure, function, and pathophysiology to approach gastrointestinal tract disorders in NTCA
Important to construct a differential diagnosis list of disorders based on clinical presentations.
Essential to discuss principles of various diagnostic tests and determine common disease processes across species.

Learning Outcomes

Apply existing knowledge of structure, function, and pathophysiology for gastrointestinal tract disorders in NTCA
Construct a differential diagnosis list for disorders based on clinical presentations
Discuss diagnostic test principles
Determine shared disease processes across species.

NTCA - Non Traditional Companion Animals

NTCA, also known as exotics, require consideration of their ecological niche for survival.
Assess the value of the animal to its owner, as some live a long time and are highly valued.

Rodents (Hamsters, Rats, etc.)

Anatomical Considerations:
- Continuously erupting incisors (elodont)
- Dental disease is acquired, not genetic
- Some have continuously erupting cheek teeth
- Rat teeth yellow from iron in enamel
- Hindgut fermenters (e.g., guinea pigs and chinchillas)
- Coprophagy or caecotrophy (extreme adaptations in some species)
- High fur density (e.g., chinchillas) contributing to trichobezoars
- Compound stomach (mice, rats)
- Inability to vomit, but can regurgitate
Presentations:
Porphyrin staining around eyes (rats)- non-specific indication of stress or illness
Bruxism (pain related)
Reduced faecal output
Lack of caecotrophy
Wet rear end, smelly fur
Loose stools
Hypersalivation
Dysphagia/inappetence
Non-specific: hunched posture, lethargy; reduced gut motility on auscultation
Differential Diagnoses:
- Gastrointestinal stasis (primary or secondary)
- Non-infectious diarrhoea
- Antimicrobial enterocolitis
- Nutritional issues
- Infectious diarrhoea (e.g. bacteria - Salmonella, Tyzzer's Disease; parasites - Pinworm, Cestodiasis; protozoa - Hexamita; Viral enteritis)
- Foreign body obstruction (e.g., trichobezoars)
Diagnostic Approach:
- History (recent antibiotic treatment, diet changes)
- Physical exam (teeth, perianal soiling, abdominal auscultation, hindgut fermenters)
- Faecal parasitology and bacteriology
- Tape strips from rectum (pinworm)
- Radiography/USG
- Post-mortem (especially in animals from collections)
- Specific tests (e.g., Tyzzer's disease PCR)
- Blood tests (may not yield definitive diagnosis but could help with comorbidities)

Ferrets

Anatomical Considerations:
Anatomical similarity to humans
Short transit time (<220 minutes)
Spontaneous activity, even under anaesthetic
Can vomit
Presentations:
Similar to dogs and cats: anorexia, vomiting, diarrhoea (green slime disease)
Hunched posture (sign of abdominal pain)
Grinding teeth
Differential Diagnoses:
Bacterial/viral/parasitic enteritis (e.g., epizootic catarrhal enteritis, coronavirus)
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Lymphoma
Hairballs (don't vomit them up)
Stomach ulcers (associated with Helicobacter mustelae)
Diagnostic Approach:
Bloods (lipase raised in IBD)
Radiography
Ultrasound
Faecal examination
Endoscopy, biopsy, PCR for Helicobacter mustelae

Birds

Anatomical Considerations:
Beak similar to teeth and lips
Crop (oesophagus expansion for food storage)
Stomach pluricavity and compound structure
Shorter and simpler intestines than mammals
Paired caeca (important in chickens, ducks)
Cloaca (end of gastrointestinal, urinary, and reproductive tracts)
Presentations:
Anorexia
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Weight loss/failure to gain weight
Abnormal faeces (e.g., urates)
Dysphagia
Crop distension
Itchy crop
General signs of pain
Sudden death
Differential Diagnoses:
Endoparasites (e.g. Mycobacteriosis, Chlamydia psittaci, Avian Bornavirus, PDD)
Candidiasis
Capilaria
Crop stasis
Crop fistulae/abscesses
Foreign bodies
Toxins (e.g., lead, zinc)
Diagnostic Approach:
Bloods (haematology & biochemistry)
Faecal examination
Radiography
PCR & serology (e.g., PDD)
Crop swab (C&S)
Biopsy of crop
CT scan (expensive, but can provide good outcomes)

Reptiles

Anatomical Considerations:
Abdominal fat in discrete bodies
Affects radiography
No muscular diaphragm
Distensible oesophagus (snakes) or no cardiac sphincter (snakes)
Regurgitation
Hindgut fermentation in large intestine (herbivores)
Presentations:
Anorexia (especially in snakes and carnivorous lizards)
Dehydration
Weight loss
Emesis (regurgitation)
Diarrhoea
Distension around the midbody (coelomic)
Differential Diagnoses:
Husbandry-associated anorexia
Stomatitis
Foreign body impaction
Gingival proliferation (lizards)
Parasitic diseases
Bacterial/viral/infectious diseases (e.g., PDD in birds)
Diagnostic Approach:
Similar to mammals (abdominal auscultation usually unrewarding in reptiles)
USG at prefemoral fossae in Chelonians (lack of contrast)
Endoscopy (more useful for bigger reptiles)
Defecation frequency consideration

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz covers the approach to gastrointestinal disorders in non-traditional companion animals, as presented in the VMS 3010 course. Students will utilize their understanding of anatomy and pathophysiology to diagnose and differentiate various disorders affecting mammals, birds, and reptiles. Emphasis will be placed on diagnostic tests and common disease processes across species.