CHAPTER IX. 

 DISEASES OF THE INTESTINES. 



Examination. The intestines can be easily palpated 

 through the abdominal wall in most small animals, when 

 they are not too fat, and this greatly assists in making an 

 accurate diagnosis, especially of foreign bodies, fecal accumu- 

 lation (coprolith), etc. This is best done by placing the 

 animal in the standing position using both hands, one on 

 either side of the abdomen. When necessary to make a more 

 careful examination, as for perforating wounds, volvulus, 

 etc., explorative laparotomy should be employed. The 

 intestines are best reached by making the incision at the 

 median line in the middle of the distance from the xiphoid 

 cartilage to the anterior border of the pelvis, and of sufficient 

 size to permit of a thorough examination of the entire length 

 of the intestine. The Roentgen rays can be employed to 

 detect foreign bodies. 



The feces should be carefully examined for the following: 

 Frequency, color, odor, quantity, consistency, presence of 

 blood, parasites or their ova, mucus, foreign bodies, undi- 

 gested food. The peristalsis is important and can be exam- 

 ined by placing the animal on its side, covering the abdomen 

 with a towel or cloth and applying the ear. The phonendo- 

 scope is of great assistance for this purpose. Percussion is 

 important in differentiating accumulations of fluid or gas 

 in the abdomen or intestines. 



ENTERITIS. 



Two forms of enteritis are recognized in small animals, 

 viz.: (a) Acute, and (6) chronic. 



Acute Enteritis. Definition. This is a catarrhal inflamma- 

 tion of the mucous membrane of the small intestine, as well 



