Gastroenterology

Endoscopically assisted gastropexy may show promise in preventing gastric dilatation-volvulus in dogs at high risk for the life-threatening condition.

This session will cover radiographic and ultrasound imaging of the gastrointestinal tract. Many basic principles and "older" techniques will be discussed. Newer techniques including MR and CT imaging will be briefly discussed.

A 2-year-old intact male Boston terrier was evaluated because of a recent onset of gagging and vomiting.

The gastrointestinal microbiota, that is the collection of all microorganisms found in the gastrointestinal tract, has long been recognized to play a crucial role in gastrointestinal health.

This common disease in Thoroughbred racehorses hurts performance.

Prebiotics and probiotics promote beneficial intestinal bacteria numbers and improve gastrointestinal and overall health.

Sherry Sanderson, DVM, DACVIM, DACVN, answers questions about the advantages of feeding a prebiotic and probiotic in a synbiotic relationship.

Thorough and timely assessment play a significant role in successful treatment of the critical colic

Guidelines for managing the colic patient

More veterinary hospitals are now incorporating endoscopy equipment in their clinics.

In a recent publication (Walter, R., Dunn, M.E. et al. Nonsurgical resolution of gallbladder mucocele in two dogs. JAVMA, Vol 232, No. 11, June 1, 2008), the authors describe medical resolution of gallbladder mucoceles in two canine patients.

Over the last two decades, the importance of the GI microbiota­ (the collection of all GI microorganisms­) on GI and overall health has been recognized. Prebiotics, such as fructooligosaccharides or mannanoligosaccharides, serve as the main substrate source for beneficial bacterial species of the GI microbiota and, thus, have a great impact on the GI microbiota and, in turn, GI and overall health.

Prebiotics are nondigestible food ingredients that stimulate the growth or activity of beneficial bacteria in the intestines and, thus, may improve the host's health.

Prebiotics are nondigestible food ingredients that stimulate the growth or activity of beneficial bacteria in the intestines and, thus, may improve the host's health.

Leakage of intestinal contents and a common contrast medium into a dog's abdominal cavity proved to be a fatal combination.

The stomach plays a key initial role in digestion through its mixing actions, and through the secretion of gastric acid and pepsin, which are important for the activation of key digestive enzymes.

Gastrointestinal (GI) cytology offers many advantages to the small animal practitioner in the assessment of patients with gastrointestinal tract disease.

Esophageal diseases, including megaesophagus, can easily sneak up on the unsuspecting clinician if regurgitation, the cardinal sign of esophageal disease, is not considered a differential diagnosis for an animal that presents for what the owner perceives as vomiting.

Esophageal foreign bodies and esophagitis have the potential, if not identified and treated, to cause esophageal strictures or megaesophagus, which can be more difficult to treat.

Primary gastrointestinal (GI) neoplasia is an important differential diagnosis for a dog or cat with vomiting or diarrhea, especially chronic vomiting or diarrhea, anorexia and weight loss, particularly animals that are middle-aged and older.

The small animal clinician has a number of imaging options available for the evaluation of dogs and cats with gastrointestinal tract (GI) disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease is a somewhat loosely defined term that describes chronic gastrointestinal (GI) tract signs in dogs and cats, especially weight loss, vomiting and diarrhea.

The protein-losing enteropathies (PLE) comprise a collection of intestinal, usually small intestinal, diseases typically associated with weight loss, hypoproteinemia caused by hypoalbuminemia or panhypoproteinemia, and variable signs of weight loss, vomiting and diarrhea.

This flagellated protozoan parasite is found in the gastrointestinal tract of animals including man.

Are contrast studies still needed as diagnostics in vomiting patients?

New research demonstrates that probiotics may improve gastrointestinal­ health in dogs.

The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) in dogs and cats is a very dynamic organ that performs numerous functions essential for health and well-being.

Gastrointestinal problems are by far one of the most common problems that initiate a visit to the vet for the pet rabbit.

Stomatitis in dogs is relatively uncommon however can cause significant health issues when it does occur.

While not common in terms of the frequency with which they are seen in small animal practice, primary intestinal neoplasia is an important differential diagnosis for a dog or cat with vomiting, especially chronic vomiting, chronic diarrhea, anorexia and weight loss, particularly animals that are middle-aged and older.