healthy intestines

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JMM
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healthy intestines

Post by JMM »

Does anybody have a link to pictures of healthy canine intestines? I really didn't want to be in the room for Mikey's surgery, but was curious to see what normal vs. how his were described would be (even though the vet said his might be normal for him).

Mikey is home and recovering from GI and liver biopsies. He gets rechecked tomorrow to see if he is holding his own or if he'll need another catheter and fluids...
JMM -- JaMi Maltese -- Dust Mops with Drive
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Traci
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Post by Traci »

JMM, here is one, but the image depicts alot of blood which is a bit obscuring to the actual intestine....

Image

Keep in mind that all pets are different, as far as true color, size, shape, etc. I've seen grey, red, pink and slight cream colored intestines in various pets. Normal, to me, is generally a purplish or red with prominent vessels. Davet might offer his own experiences in visualization.
..........Traci
JMM
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Re: healthy intestines

Post by JMM »

We are sending all of his biopsies to Cornell next week. We have to get in touch with Dr. Center first so that she for sure gets his liver.

I tend to stay our of surgery and am very nervous monitoring anesthesia since my puppy died, so I didn't look at Mikey. I have to admit I've been so nervous about Mikey that I haven't really talked to Ken in detail about what he found...just a brief mention that there was more white splotches that usual and that it could be normal lymph tissue? Does that make any sense? I'm running on no sleep so I could be totally wrong about what he said.

Thank you for the picture. I have two great shots of an intussusception that I should upload.
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Traci
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Post by Traci »

White splotches...do you mean on the liver or intestine? If liver, I'm not sure that would be the norm (but please don't take my word for it), it tends to be a smooth, basic purple or red organ. Lipids and fats can of course cause splotches (and are easily seen and detected during abdominal surgery), but they are usually mottled in appearance, yellow or cream colored and the liver's edges might be jagged, whereas a normal liver is smooth on the edges and does not contain mottled or raised bumps.

If intestinal, it's anyone's guess. I can't remember seeing white splotches on an intestine, but that doesn't mean they don't occur. Again, don't take my word for it, your vet has seen many more cases and if he wasn't terribly alarmed, neither should you be. Wait for the biopsy results and try not to jump the gun with your worries. I know it's hard not to, just take one day at a time....

Do post the intussuseption if you can, Davet would love that.
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davet
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Re: healthy intestines

Post by davet »

would llike to see the pic of the intusception but without seeing i would suppect the white spots could be part of the lymphatic system....but a pic would be easier....good luck
JMM
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Re: healthy intestines

Post by JMM »

Thanks, Traci. It is good to know that there can be quite a bit of variation.

Mikey went in this am for BG, PCV/TS, and a quick exam. Blood was good. He vomited overnight including the tiny bit he ate, but is allowed to have Reglan today so I'm doing injectibles at home for him (he's on ampicillin and pepcid as well). His temp was up a little so I'll keep an eye on that at home as well. He had some diarrhea in his crate on the way there. He got an extra injection of Fentanyl and does seem more physically comfortable after all of his shots, but a little less aware.
JMM -- JaMi Maltese -- Dust Mops with Drive
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