ENTERITIS 169 



ritis is an essential complication in certain infectious diseases 

 (distemper, enterohepatitis, etc.). 



(e) Severe infestations with animal parasites can produce 

 acute enteritis by the irritant action of the parasites upon 

 the mucosa producing congestion and in some cases by 

 attaching themselves to the membrane or burrowing into its 

 walls. The severity of the inflammation produced depends 

 very largely upon the number and species of parasites present. 

 This condition is observed most often in puppies and kittens. 

 Acute enteritis also occurs secondarily to other diseases, 

 such as septicemia, septicemic diseases of birds, peritonitis, 

 coccidiosis of rabbits and birds, etc. 



Pathology.— The mucous membrane of the bowel may be 

 involved in its entire length with almost equal severity, but 

 usually certain portions are more seriously affected than 

 others. The mucosa is swollen and reddened, the surface 

 usually covered with mucus, which may be tinged with blood, 

 and sometimes the submucosa is edematous with hemor- 

 rhagic extravasations. The lymphatic follicles are enlarged 

 and project out from the mucosa prominently as light patches 

 against the inflamed surface of the mucosa. In severe cases 

 pseudomembranous or diphtheritic inflammations of the 

 mucous membrane of the intestines may be seen occurring 

 usually secondary to infections originating elsewhere or 

 from the action of corrosive poisons which are very common 

 in dogs and birds. In all of these cases the mucous mem- 

 brane is covered with an extensive, dirty yellow or grayish 

 deposit, appearing as a coating over the surface or as a 

 firmly attached pseudomembrane. This pseudomembrane 

 may be found in the entire length of the bowel. Areas of 

 the necrosis and deep ulceration are often seen where the 

 pseudomembrane has been dislodged. Hemorrhages are 

 often found under and from the mucosa, the blood mixing 

 with the intestinal contents forming a dark red mass. The 

 feces are very thin even in the large intestine and have a 

 disagreeable odor. The mesenteric lymph glands are swollen 

 and edematous. 



Symptoms.— The clinical symptoms in enteritis vary with 

 the intensity of the cause and the part of the intestinal tract 



