Malabsorption

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Sections available in full article Introduction, Presenting signs, Breed predisposition, Pathogenesis, Etiology, Pathophysiology, Timecourse (incubation, duration), Diagnosis, Presenting problems, Client history, Clinical signs, Diagnostic investigation, Confirmation of diagnosis, Differential diagnosis, Treatment, Initial symptomatic treatment, Standard treatment, Sequelae, Prognosis, Expected response to treatment, Reasons for treatment failure, Sources, Publications, Vetstream contributor(s),
Contributors Mr James Simpson SDA BVM&S MPhil MRCVS
Dr Ken Harkin DVM DipACVIM

Introduction

  • Poor absorption of nutrients from small intestine.
  • Cause : damaged intestinal mucosal function.
  • Signs : chronic diarrhea, weight loss, vomiting.
  • Diagnosis : laboratory tests, intestinal histopathology.
  • Treatment : depends on specific diagnosis.
  • Prognosis : guarded.

Diagnosis

Clinical signs

  • Poor body/coat condition.

Diagnosis

Differential diagnosis

  • Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.
  • Lymphocytic plasmacytic enteritis Enteritis: lymphocytic plasmacytic.
  • Eosinophilic enteritis Enteritis: eosinophilic.
  • Lymphangectasia Protein-losing enteropathy.
  • Lymphoma Lymphoma.
  • Hypoadrenocorticism Hypoadrenocorticism.
  • Protein-losing enteropathy Protein-losing enteropathy.

Sequelae

Prognosis

  • Depends on underlying disease.

Expected response to treatment

  • Cessation of clinical signs.
  • Weight gain.

Reasons for treatment failure

  • Underlying causes not treatable.
  • Failure to address concurrent bacterial overgrowth.
  • Incorrect diagnosis.

Sources

Publications

Refereed papers

  • Bissett S A, Gildford W G & Spohr A (1997) Breath hydrogen testing in small animal practice. Comp Cont Ed Pract Vet 19 , 916-931.
  • Batt R M (1990) Relationship between diet and malabsorption in dogs. JSAP 31 , 489-493.
  • Batt R M & Hall E J (1989) Chronic enteropathies in the dog. JSAP 30 , 3-12.

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