Approach to down cow Flashcards
1
Q
History q’s
A
- Near/post-calving?
- Management/nutrition
- Nursing (turning, preferred side or posture?)
- Calving details – normal/aid/caesarean?
– Live or dead?
2
Q
Physical Exam
A
- TPR, mm, attitude, position
- Examine limbs: crepitus, decreased ROM, pain, instability, flaccidity etc?
- Rectal exam: genital tract, pelvic #s etc
- Vaginal exam: clean/cleansed/further calf?
- Check udder and milk
- Consider b/s: Ca, Mg, Phos, CK/AST, BHB, dWBCc
3
Q
Ddx for down cow
A
- milk fever
- toxaemia
- MSK e.g. obstetrical paralysis, downer cows, fractures, laxations, etc
less likely ddx:
- hypomagnesaemia
- fat cow syndrome
- ruminal acidosis
- bloat
- BSE
- ketosis
- poisoning
- haemorrhage
- laminitis
4
Q
Clinical features of milk fever
A
- Ruminal atony
- Pulse <100 (usually!)
- Dry f+ in rectum
- Full udder
- Usually around calving
“- Swan” neck? - Bulging anus
- Dry mm
5
Q
Diagnosis of milk fever
A
- CS
- response to tx
- blood biochem
6
Q
Tx of milk fever
A
- slow iv Ca/ combination prep & nursing
- other adjective tx
- phosphorus?
7
Q
Causes of toxaemia
A
- mastitis
- metritis
- also peritonitis, salmonella, aspiration pnuemonia
8
Q
Clinical features of toxaemia
A
- Depressed, collapsed
- GI stasis
- HR >100
- Diarrhoea
- Often subnormal temp
- “Toxic” mm
9
Q
Diagnosis of toxaemia
A
- usually CS
- signs of dehydration
10
Q
Tx of toxaemia
A
- treat cause -> AB
- NSAIDs
- fluids
– oral
– IV
11
Q
Clinical features of MSK problems
A
- Sometimes characteristic paralysis patterns (on att. rise)
- Systemically well, eating, CE unrevealing
12
Q
Diagnosis of MSK problems
A
- often exclusion of other causes
- hx of trauma
13
Q
Tx of MSK problems
A
- dependent on cause
- nursing care is vital
- prognosis often poor
14
Q
Nursing considerations
A
- Frequent turning
- Support
- Bedding
- Housing
- Food and water
- NSAIDs
