Intestinal sympany
The intestinal sympany is a disease that occurs primarily in relatives of guinea pigs , which is associated with gas accumulations in the intestine and quickly becomes life-threatening. It largely corresponds to the meteorism (flatulence) of other animals and humans, but has some peculiarities due to the peculiarities in the intestinal canal of guinea pigs.
Emergence
The main causes of intestinal symptoms are feeding errors such as insufficient crude fiber content , too high a protein content (young grass, clover) and too high a content of carbohydrates (grain and grain products, chocolate) in the food. Wilted, overheated or frozen green forage and sudden changes in food are also possible triggers. Since the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract are poorly developed in guinea pigs and the food is mostly "pushed on" by newly ingested food, even reduced food intake, as occurs, for example, in general illnesses or dental diseases, can trigger intestinal symptoms. Finally, bacterial intestinal infections, intestinal mycoses or parasites can also cause tympany .
The factors mentioned lead to a shift in the natural intestinal flora with an increase in gas-forming bacteria and incorrect fermentation . When overgrowth with pathogenic bacteria, enterotoxemia can develop from intestinal symptoms, in which enterotoxins formed by the bacteria pass into the blood.
Clinical picture
The intestinal sympany is accompanied by a disturbance of the general well-being, which shows in slight inflation in greatly reduced activity, in more severe forms in complete exhaustion ( apathy ). The abdominal pain shows up in an arched back and teeth grinding. In the case of stronger outgassing, an increase in the circumference of the abdomen is visible. Due to the intestinal parts now taking up a lot of space in the abdominal cavity, the diaphragm is hindered in its activity and there is difficulty breathing . The pressure on the large abdominal vessels leads to a disruption of the cardiovascular system .
A enterotoxaemia shows in Schocksysmptomen as bluish mucous membranes ( cyanosis ), shallow breathing and low temperature (<37 ° C). It can quickly lead to the death of the animal.
Diagnosis and therapy
The diagnosis of intestinal symptoms can already be made clinically. The gas-filled intestinal loops can still be felt through the abdominal wall in lighter forms; if the abdomen is swollen, a typical hollow sound is produced when the abdomen is tapped ( percussion ).
For the exact localization of the tympany, it is useful to take an X-ray .
Lighter intestinal symptoms can be treated with substances that promote intestinal motor skills such as metoclopramide and foam-breaking agents such as dimeticone . Probiotics are used to stabilize the intestinal flora . A careful stomach massage can promote the further transport of the food pulp and gas.
In severe forms, the administration of painkillers and broad-spectrum antibiotics is indicated. An inflation of the caecum can be punctured with a cannula through the abdominal wall, whereby care must be taken to release the gas slowly.
In the case of shock symptoms, life-sustaining emergency therapy with circulatory support and oxygen supply is indicated before the actual treatment of the tympany can take place.
After primary treatment, it is essential to determine the triggering factors, especially the teeth should be inspected. Further food intake may have to be guaranteed by force feeding.
See also
literature
- A. Ewringmann, B. Glöckner: Key symptoms in guinea pigs, chinchilla and degu. Enke Verlag, Stuttgart 2005, ISBN 3-8304-1055-7 .
- E. Wasel: guinea pigs . In: K. Gabrisch, P. Zwart: Diseases of pets . 6th edition, Schlütersche Verlagsgesellschaft, Hanover 2005, pp. 49–86, ISBN 3-89993-010-X .
