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Gastrointestinal: small intestine – malabsorption
Synonym(s): Small intestinal malabsorption
Introduction
- Malabsorption syndrome arises from structural or functional impairment of the absorptive processes of the small intestine or, much less commonly, as the result of hepatic or pancreatic insufficiency.
- Cause: small intestinal malabsorption can result from several diseases.
- Signs: progressive weight loss in an otherwise normal animal.
- Diagnosis: monosaccharide absorption tests Gastrointestinal: intestinal function tests , exploratory laparotomy Abdomen: laparotomy , abdominal ultrasound to measure intestinal wall thincknes.
- Prognosis: generally guarded to poor.
Presenting signs
- Progressive weight loss.
- Appetitie is often normal/increased, sometimes decreased.
- Demeanor: variable, bright or depressed.
Acute presentation
- Progressive weight loss.
Pathogenesis
Etiology
- Malabsorption syndrome arises from structural or functional impairment of the absorptive processes of the small intestine or associated organs (pancreas and liver).
- Small intestinal malabsorption can result from several diseases including:
- Alimentary lymphosarcoma Gastrointestinal: neoplasia .
- Chronic inflammatory bowel disease Chronic inflammatory bowel disease .
- Mycobacterial/fungal enteritis Intestine: enteritis .
- Parasitism Diarrhea: parasitic .
- Idiopathic villous atrophy.
- Congestive heart failure Heart: failure - overview .
- Intestinal ischemia Abdomen: pain - spasmodic colic .
- Extensive small intestinal resection Intestine: resection and anastomosis .
Predisposing factors
General- Dependent on the individual disease entities involved.
Specific
- Dependent on the individual disease entities involved.
Pathophysiology
- Malabsorption syndromes affect the absorption of carbohydrates, protein and fats → chronic weight loss, deficiencies and ultimately debility.
- Fat absorption is of limited importance in the horse but dysfunction of absorption of fat soluble vitamins, including Vitamin A Vitamin A , D3 Vitamin D3 , E Vitamin E or Phytomenadione Phytomenadione , may contribute to dermatitis, retinal dysfunction or neurological diseases.
- Many of the diseases also affect the large bowel concurrently → diarrhea.
- Secondary large bowel dysfunction ensues because abnormal amounts of carbohydrates, fats and amino acids enter the large bowel from the ilium.
Diagnosis
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Treatment
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Prevention
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Outcomes
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Further Reading
Publications
Refereed papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
- Mair T S, Pearson G R & Divers T J (2006) Malabsorption syndromes in the horse. Equine Vet Educ 18 (6), 299-308 VetMedResource.
Other sources of information
- Mair T, Divers T & Ducharme N (2002) Eds. Manual of Equine Gastroenterology. W B Saunders.