Abdominal Conditions of Calves Flashcards
tell me about important GIT anatomy in calves
omasum = where more digestion occurs
starts to become more of a ruminant by 3-4mo
only way to stimulate esophageal groove = suckling
tell me about feed effect on rumen development
milk/milk replacer: limited rumen papillae
milk/milk replacer + hay: minimal rumen papillae
milk/milk replacer + starter: optimal rumen papillae and establishment of microflora
what do pings on the L side of the abdomen in a calf usually mean? what about R side?
L: DA
R: SI, abomasal distension
tell me what these acid base imbalances mean in a calf usually
1. metabolic acidosis
2. metabolic alkalosis
3. respiratory acidosis
4. respiratory alkalosis
- diarrhea
- DA or obstruction
- aspy pneu pneu, pneumonia
- hyperventilation, hypoxemia
how can you use pH to estimate px?
pH <7.3 = poor px
what are the top ddx in a colicing calf <8 days old?
- atresia coli
- atresia ani/recti
- intussusception
- peracute enteritis
- acute diffuse peritonitis
- omphalophlebitis
- mesenteric torsion
what are the top ddx in a colicing calf >8days old?
- abomasal dilation
- abomasal torison
- GI tympany
- perforating abomasal ulcer
- mesenteric torsion
- enteritis
what are the C/S of atresia ani/coli/recti?
normal at birth, lose appetite and bloat by 12hr to several days, no meconium passed, may see white mucus at rectum, progressively worse
what breed of cow is more at risk for atresia ani/coli/recti
Holsteins
how do you tx atresia coli/ani/recti?
coli: euthanize
ani/recti: may attempt sx, but usually euthanize
what are some causes of bloat in calves? how do you treat?
- trichobezoars
- rumenitis
- chronic rumen acidosis
- rumen putrefaction/abomasitis
- failure of closure of esophageal groove
- severe pneumonia
- lymphosarcoma
rumenostomy (don’t have to close it, will heal nicely)
what are the C/S of abomasitis and enteritis?
colic-like behaviour, bloat, depressed, bruxism, salivation, succession positive, fastest growing/healiest calves affected
what are some causes of abomasitis and enteritis in calves?
trichobezoars, Cu/Se/Vit E deficiency, C. perfirngens typeA, Sarcina spp.
how do you tx abomasitis and enteritis in calves?
- diet: avoid feeding milk/milk replacer/electrolytes with glucose –> prevents bac t growth and fermentaion
- reduce bloat: orogastric tube
- penicillin
- IV fluids
- NSAIDs
- pantoprazole (reduce acid to get abomasum to heal)
what are the 4 types of abomasal ulcers?
type 1: erosion of mucosa that doesn’t involve mucosal basement membrane
type 2: non-perforating ulcer with severe intraluminal hemorrhage, melena
type 3: perforating, localized ulcer, guarded to poor outcome
type 4: perforating, severe diffuse ulcer, poor outcome
what are the risk factors for abomasal ulcers in calves?
trace mineral defieicnies, bac t agents (C. perfringens), stress, abrasive agents (hairballs), LDAs
what are the C/S of abomasal ulcers in calves?
reduced motility of abomasumm, ventral abdominal distension, painful palpation of abdomen, bloat, melena, LDA –> calves w perforated gastric ulcers, 70% had Das
how do you tx abomasal ulcers in calves?
- sx (complicated, guarded to poor px)
- ranitidine or cimetidine
- pantoprazole
what are ruminal drinkers?
failure of closure of esophageal groove or multiple feedings via stomach tube = reflux of milk from abomasum to rumen
created bac t fermentation
- lactose –> lactate –> ruminal and metabolic acidosis
what does milk in the rumen cause?
ruminal and metabolic acidosis
hyperkeratotic parakeratosis and reticulorumenitis
who is more at risk for being a ruminal drinker, dairy or beef?
dairy
what are the C/S of a ruminal drinker?
reoccurring bloat, underconditioned/poor-doers, depressed, arched back, dehydration, U/S = see contents in rumen
how do you tx a ruminal drinker?
- feed smaller meals
- nipple feeding > bucket feed (don’t bucket feed)
- bicarb tx of ruminal acidosis
- possibly early weaning
normal navels in calves are dry by when?
48 hrs
