Antispasmodic Agents
Chapter 41 Antispasmodic Agents Robert J. Washabau Definitions Brain–Gut Axis The term brain–gut axis refers to the bidirectional neural processing of information between the central nervous and digestive systems. The brain–gut…
INTERNAL MEDICINE
Laxative Agents
Chapter 50 Laxative Agents Robert J. Washabau Definition of Constipation Constipation is an important pathophysiologic condition of both cats and dogs, but primarily of the cat. Constipation is defined as difficult,…
Fluid Therapy
Chapter 48 Fluid Therapy Rance K. Sellon Dogs and cats with gastrointestinal (GI) disease commonly need fluid therapy. The most basic reasons for fluid therapy in patients with GI disease are…
Gastrointestinal Inflammation
Chapter 4 Gastrointestinal Inflammation Michael J. Day The fundamental biology of the acute and chronic inflammatory responses is well described in numerous texts.1,2 Acute inflammation occurs within hours to days of…
Enzyme Supplementation
Chapter 47 Enzyme Supplementation Elias Westermarck The exocrine pancreas has great reserve capacity; consequently, the clearly recognizable signs of failure emerge only when up to 90% of the exocrine gland tissue…
Antifungal Drugs
Chapter 36 Antifungal Drugs Robert J. Washabau Introduction Indigenous Fungal Organisms The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is readily colonized by small numbers of fungal organisms that become part of the indigenous microflora,…
Behavioral Intervention
Chapter 42 Behavioral Intervention Diane Frank Physiologic Translation of Stress into Gastrointestinal Signs in Dogs Moberg states that the term stress has been used so broadly in biology that no clear…
Nutritional Strategies in Gastrointestinal Disease
Chapter 32 Nutritional Strategies in Gastrointestinal Disease Gastrointestinal Tract Sherry Lynn Sanderson Definition The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) in dogs and cats is a dynamic organ that performs numerous functions (see Chapter…
Antimicrobial Drugs
Chapter 39 Antimicrobial Drugs Mark G. Papich Antimicrobial drugs used for gastrointestinal disease are primarily used to treat infections of the intestine and occasionally stomach (e.g., treatment of Helicobacter-like organisms). These…
Weight Loss and Cachexia
Chapter 24 Weight Loss and Cachexia Cynthia R. Ward Healthy animals typically maintain their body weight within a remarkably stable range given the differing levels of caloric intake and energy expenditure…
