Chronic Gastric Diseases
Definition: Chronic Vomiting
- Acute vomiting that fails to respond to appropriate symptomatic therapy
- Untreated vomiting that persists longer than two weeks
Consistent
Intermittent or episodic
Approach to Vomiting
- Primary GI
Gastric
Small intestinal
Colonic
- Secondary GI
Systemic illness that affects GI function
Secondary GI Causes of Vomiting
SYSTEM
- Kidneys
- Liver
- Exocrine pancreas
- Endocrine pancreas
- Adrenals
- Peritoneum
- CNS
- Thyroid
- Uterus
- Systemic infection
Disease:
- Renal failure
- Hepatic disease
- Pancreatitis
- DKA
- Addisons
- Peritonitis
- Cerebral or vestibular disease
- Hyperthyroidism
- Pyometra
- Sepsis
Overview:
Gastric Causes of Chronic Vomiting
- Chronic gastritis
Lymphocytic/plasmacytic
Eosinophilic
Associated with GHLOs
Parasitic
Reflux gastritis
- Gastric foreign body
- Gastric ulceration
- Gastric motility disorders
- Gastric neoplasia
Overview:
Intestinal Causes of Chronic Vomiting
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Intestinal neoplasia
- Duodenal ulcers
- Fungal enteritis
- Chronic intussusception
- Foreign bodies
- Colitis
Chronic Vomiting: History
- Characterize vomiting
Onset
Duration
Frequency
Progression
Relationship to eating
Specific features (blood, foreign material, undigested food, projectile, etc.)
Response to changes in diet or feeding schedule, medication, other changes
Associated clinical signs-
Appetite changes
Weight loss
Diarrhea
Changes in attitude (lethargy)
PU/PD
Cough, tachypnea, dyspnea
Other
- Potential exposures prior to onset:
Medications
Plants
Toxins
Garbage
Potential foreign bodies
Other sick animals
- Dietary history
- Deworming history
- Vaccination status
- Past medical history
- Past surgical history
Approach to Vomiting:
- Primary GI
Gastric
Small intestinal
Colonic
- Secondary GI
Systemic illness that affects GI function
Chronic Vomiting:
Diagnostic Steps
- CBC, biochemistry profile, UA
- Fecal
- Survey abdominal radiographs
- Cats:
T4 if over 6 yrs, FeLV, FIV
occult heartworm test
- Elimination diet
- Endoscopy
- Abdominal ultrasound
- Barium series
- Laparatomy
Approach to Chronic Vomiting
CBC, biochemistry profile, UA, fecal
Survey abdominal radiographs
Cats: T4 if over 6 yrs, FeLV, FIV (occult heartworm test)
Mild Signs:
- Elimination diet
Significant Clinical Signs:
- Endoscopy
- Abdominal ultrasound
- Barium series
- Laparotomy
Overview:
Gastric Causes of Chronic Vomiting
- Chronic gastritis
Lymphocytic/plasmacytic
Eosinophilic
Associated with GHLOs
Parasitic
Reflux gastritis
- Gastric foreign body
- Gastric ulceration
- Gastric motility disorders
- Gastric neoplasia
Chronic Gastritis
Classified by etiology, breed, and/or histopathology
Types of Chronic Gastritis
Lymphocytic/plasmacytic gastritis (Chronic non-specific gastritis, IBD)
Eosinophilic gastritis
Granulomatous gastritis
Atrophic gastritis
Gastritis associated with GHLOs
Parasitic gastritis
Reflux gastritis
Etiopathogenesis of Chronic Lymphocytic/Plasmacytic Gastritis
- Non-specific reaction to many insults
- Either wall defects allow antigen absorption from stomach stimulating immune response OR breakdown in immune tolerance (auto-immune gastritis)
- Mucosal damage allows back-diffusion of acid
- Gastric inflammation compromises motility, secretions and plasma proteins lost into lumen
Chronic Lymphocytic/Plasmacytic Gastritis: Clinical Features
- Persistent intermittent vomiting exacerbated by eating
- Diarrhea occurs if animal has concurrent IBD of intestines
- PE, CBC, chemistries, UA, fecal, and survey radiographs typically NAF
Chronic Lymphocytic/Plasmacytic Gastritis: Diagnosis
- Obtain endoscopic biopsies or full-thickness biopsies by laparotomy
- Infiltration of the gastric mucosa predominantly with lymphocytes and plasma cells
- Mucosa may be normal thickness (simple gastritis), increased (hypertrophic), or decreased (atrophic)
Note: Mucosal hypertrophy can cause outflow obstruction
Chronic Lymphocytic/Plasmacytic Gastritis: Treatment
PRIMARY THERAPY
- /- NPO or no food for 24-48 hours
- Multiple small daily meals
Easily digested diet (i/d)
Novel protein diet (e.g. venison and rice)
Hydrolyzed protein diet (z/d, HA)
- Gastric protectant (Sucralfate)
- Treat for ulceration if indicated
SECONDARY THERAPY
- Prednisolone 1-2 mg/kg PO q12 hr, tapered
- Usually reserve antiemetics for acute exacerbations
Eosinophilic Gastritis
- Clinical signs like L/P gastritis
- Inflammatory infiltrate dominated by eosinophils
- May have peripheral eosinophilia
- May be associated with:
Generalized eosinophilic gastroenteritis (dogs and cats)
Eosinophilic granulomas (dogs)
Hypereosinophilic syndrome (cats)
Eosinophilic Gastritis
- Suspected etiologies
Parasites
Dietary hypersensitivity
Hypereosinophilic syndrome (cats) neoplastic-
Eosinophilic Gastritis: Treatment
- Therapeutic deworming
- Treat as for L/P gastritis except use prednisolone as part of primary therapy
- Cats usually require higher doses of steroids for control (2-3 mg/kg q12 hr)
- If refractory, add azathioprine
- Resect granulomatous masses
Eosinophilic Gastritis: Prognosis
- Eosinophilic gastritis /- enteritis: Good prognosis for control of clinical signs
- Hypereosinophilic syndrome in cats: Very guarded prognosis
