Table 9 Monitoring sheet for animals with tumors causing GI signs

Parameter	Outcome	Actions to be taken
Stool consistency	Normal	None
Stool consistency	Diarrhea or loose stool	Increase general monitoring frequency to 1 time per day Start checking hydration (skin turgor test, Table 2). If dehydrated, see Fig. 2. If dehydration persists despite treatment: humane killing
Bloody stool	Present	Increase general monitoring frequency to 1 time per day Start checking for anemia daily (Table 2). If anemia: humane killing
Rectal prolapse	Present but limited in size, not bleeding, mucosa is pink and wet, animal can still defecate^a	Increase general monitoring frequency to 3 times per week
Rectal prolapse	Present and dry or necrotic, bleeding, getting bigger or impossible to defecate	Humane killing
Constipation	Present	Increase general monitoring frequency to 1 time per day Provide macrogol through the drinking water^b If constipation persists, humane killing

Assess 2 times per week; increase if necessary (see actions to be taken). ^aMitchell et al. have demonstrated that treatment of rectal prolapse in mice is not necessary and that mice with rectal prolapse do not show signs of pain or distress²⁴⁰. ^bDissolve macrogol (13.9 g/25 ml) in the water bottle (replace once/week). Best results are obtained when macrogol is given as a preventive measure (i.e., when compounds are known to cause constipation) (J. Verbeeck, personal communication).

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