Diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal motility disorders in dogs and cats

Motility disorders of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and colon occur frequently in dogs and cats. Such disorders are typically treated 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 conditions. The first four articles in this five-part Continuing Education Series categorized gastrointestinal prokinetic drugs in four groups; for each, the mechanisms of action, site of activity, and indications were considered. The first part supplied information about dopaminergic antagonist drugs; the second part dealt with motilin-like drugs, especially erythromycin and the other macrolides. The third article considered serotonergic drugs, particularly cisapride. The fourth part of the series discussed acetylcholinesterase inhibitors or parasympathetic potentiating drugs. This article, which concludes the series, deals with the diagnosis and treatment of esophageal, gastric, small intestinal, and colonic motility disorders. For each type of disorder, mechanical and functional obstruction are considered.