Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 14
The Gastrointestinal
System
If your cat is anything like either of my cats, eating is an important part
of each day.Taking in and processing food sustains life for a cat, so dis-
orders of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract can have serious implications.
The gastrointestinal system includes many organs and extends from the
mouth, to the esophagus, to the stomach, to the small intestine, to the
large intestine and finally to the rectum.Along the way the liver and the
pancreas get into the act.
There are many diseases that can affect the GI tract. In this chapter,
I will describe some of the diseases and some common signs of GI
problems. Diet, stress, infectious agents, parasites and age all play a role
in GI health.
IT ALL STARTS IN THE MOUTH
Digestion begins in the mouth with food being taken in by the lips,
chewed by the teeth, mixed with saliva and pushed into the esophagus
by the tongue. I don't know if cats ever have good breath, but cats with
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