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Tag: bowel

  • Consider low vitamin B12 levels in cats with suspected IBD

    B12 injection
    The most effective method of vitamin B12 supplementation is by injection.

    Cats with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may have concurrent low vitamin B12 levels (Tams, 2014).

    A case recently presented with a history of chronic intermittent vomiting, inappetence and mild weight loss. Routine biochemistry, haematology, fPL (feline pancreas-specific lipase) and faecal analysis did not reveal any abnormalities, but having recently acquired the cat, the owners were reluctant for any invasive procedures.

    Trial therapy with antibiotics, a short course of steroids and a novel protein diet produced some response. Trial therapy with weekly vitamin B12 injections for six weeks, then twice weekly for three months, produced a beneficial response.

    The cat has a good appetite, has gained weight and has not vomited for the past month (compared to twice a week prior to therapy). Tams recommends monthly ongoing vitamin B12 therapy.

    Reference: Tams T R (2014). Inflammatory bowel disease and lymphoma in cats, Proceedings of the North American Veterinary Conference, Gainsville, Florida: 1,492-1,501.

  • Glutamine shortens the time of postoperative ileus

    Glutamine shortens the time of postoperative ileus

    Space-filling model of the glutamine molecule.
    Space-filling model of the glutamine molecule, one of the 20 amino acids used to build proteins. This image shows the L isomer in neutral form.

    Postoperative ileus (POI) is a transient bowel dysmotility that occurs following many types of operations and is one of the most common complications of gastrointestinal surgery.

    Enteral supplementation of glutamine after abdominal surgery restores fuel to the small intestine, suppresses oxidative stress, and leads to improvement in POI.

    Therefore glutamine, along with other appropriate medication (metoclopramide, cisapride, lactulose, warm enemas, antibiotics) can act as a motility-recovery agent after abdominal surgery and thereby decrease the duration of POI.

  • How to perform an effective barium swallow

    How to perform an effective barium swallow

    The animal should be prepared for the study by being starved for a minimum of 24 hours. Drinking during this period is allowed.

    barium
    Any excuse for a poor pun…

    If the study is to include the large intestine, it is important the large bowel has been evacuated prior to the study.

    A barium concentration of 80-100% W/W is used. The volume to be administered should be 6ml/kg-12ml/kg BW. The high dose/kg is recommended for cats and small dogs, while the low dose/kg is recommended for large dogs.

    Administration

    You can administer the solution into the cheek pouch of the patient using a 50ml syringe with a catheter tip, and allow the patient to swallow it in its own time. It is important to not extend the animal’s neck, or to administer the liquid at a rate that is too great for it to be able to drink comfortably.

    Make sure you give the patient an opportunity to stop drinking and take a breath. If the oesophagus is not to be included in the study, or if you are administering the contrast material to a cat that is fractious, then an oesophageal tube may be used to administer the barium.

    If sedation is required, acetylpromazine is a useful sedative, as it doesn’t significantly alter gastrointestinal function. The use of atropine, ketamine, and barbiturates will depress gastrointestinal motility, and are not recommended in dogs. Ketamine/diazepam is useful for feline sedation.