DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF GASTROINTESTINAL MOTILITY DISORDERS IN DOGS AND CATS

Motility disorders of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and col on occur frequently in dogs and cats. Such disorders are typically tre ated mainly by means of dietary management and surgical intervention. Recently, gastrointestinal prokinetic therapy has-played an increasing role in the clinical management of dogs and cats with these condition s. The first four articles in this five-part Continuing Education Seri es categorized gastrointestinal prokinetic drugs in four groups; for e ach, the mechanisms of action, site of activity, and indications were considered. The first part supplied information about dopaminergic ant agonist drugs; the second part dealt with motilin-like drugs, especial ly erythromycin and the other macrolides. The third article considered serotonergic drugs, particularly cisapride. The fourth part of the se ries discussed acetylcholinesterase inhibitors or parasympathetic pote ntiating drugs. This article, which concludes the series, deals with t he diagnosis and treatment of esophageal, gastric, small intestinal, a nd colonic motility disorders. For each type of disorder, mechanical a nd functional obstruction are considered.