Enteritis (ENTEROPATHY, MALABSORPTION SYNDROME)
Definition: It is inflammation of the intestinal mucosa , In many instances , it occurs with gastritis. It's characterized by hypermotility, decreased absorption with increased secretion. Clinically it is manifested by: abdominal pain, diarrhea and dehydration, acid-base imbalance, sometimes dysentery.
Etiology: There are many causes and the disease varies with the type and severity of the causative agent. 1- Bacterial enteritis: Colibacillosis , salmonellosis, and enterotoxaemia. In addition shigellosis in foals .
2- Viral enteritis:Rinderpest , mucosal disease, bovine malignant head catarrh cause enteritis. 3- Chemical agents: Poisoning by lead, arsenic, phosphorus, copper .
4- Parasitic enteritis:Eimeria spp , Cryptosporidium , intestinal trichomoniasis may cause
enteritis in horses. Stomach flukes (Paramphistomum spp.) Trichostronylus spp., Copperia spp., Chabertia spp., and Nematodirus spp. Hookworms (Bunostomum spp. which cause enteritis in calves). Heavy tapeworm (Monezia spp.), infestation can cause enteritis in sheep. In horses Strongylus spp. , Trichonema spp. and Ascaris. 5- Physical agents: Ingestion of large quantities of sand or dust causes enteritis especially in horses (Sand colic). 6- Overfeeding with grains ,which result in large quantities of lactic acid .
Pathogenesis:
It depends upon the causative agent. There is either catarrhal inflammation with severe
hemorrhagic enteritis or erosive and necrotic destruction of intestinal mucosa.. 2- Reaction of Epithelium to inflammation.
In chronic enteritis the intestinal wall becomes thickened, mucus secretion is stimulated with resultant decreased absorption and faeces will be thin watery and in addition it contains much mucus.
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Clinical findings: 1- Diarrhoea is the characteristic sign of acute enteritis. Faeces are soft or fluid in consistencyand have unpleasant odour. Faeces may contain blood, shreds of mucosa and mucus especially in chronic type. 2-Anorexia is complete in acute enteritis but the appetite is normal in chronic type and thirst is
usually increased. 3- Straining may occur especially in calves and may be followed by intussusceptions or rectal
prolapse. 4- Auscultation of the abdomen reveals hypermotilityand fluidity of the intestinal contents.. 5- There may be shock, increased in heart rate in severe cases. 6- Acute cases may terminate within 24 hrs, but chronic enteritis persists for several months. 7- Signs of dehydration and acid base imbalance if diarrhoea is severe.
Clinical pathology: 1-Faecal examination to determine the causative bacteria, helminthes, protozoa .... etc. 2- It is very important to determine the fluid state, bicarbonate level and electrolytes .
Treatment: Basically, treatment includes:
Removal of the causative agent from the intestine.
Administration of astringent preparations.
Replacement of lost fluids , electrolytes and nutrients as dextrose .
Antibiotics
The following groups of preparations are available for parentral and/or oral administration: - - Slowly absorbed sulphonamides Or - Sulfonamide-trimethoprim combination. - The initial dose in the case of slowly absorbed sulphonamides and short-acting
sulphonamides should be 60-100 mg/kg body weight.
- For the newer long-acting sulphonamides and the sulphonamide-trimethoprim combinations,
a dosage of 20-30 mg/kg body weight is considered sufficient. - Follow-up doses of 1/2 to 2/3 of the initial quantity are required at 12 to 36 how intervals.
Therapy should be continued for 3-5 days. 2- Give the specific antihelmintic for the treatment of the various helminthes infestation.