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248 SECTION II III The Mammals

Sometimes, a straightforward case of bloat is actu- pigs, causing forward pressure on the diaphragm and
ally a more serious problem. For example, the stomach making it even harder to breathe.
may become distended with fluid and air as a result of

atony secondary to a gastric ulcer or abscess (Figure Cecum. Cecal enlargement, or by inference cecal
21-18). Peritonitis can have a similar effect on the impaction, can be associated with a variety of sizes,
stomach, as well as the bowel. Large amounts of gas shapes, and interior densities, most of which force the
often accumulate in the stomachs of dyspneic guinea rest of the adjacent abdominal viscera forward into the

A

B

Figure 21-18 • A, Lateral and ventrodorsal (B) views of the torso of a guinea pig with a confirmed gastric abscess show moderate to

severe gaseous distention of the stomach, flattening and cranial displacement of the diaphragm (inferring increased abdominal pressure),
and a cranial mediastinal mass (nature undetermined).

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