Bleeding cows SDL Flashcards
List the 6 most common differential diagnoses for epistaxis in cows
Caudal vena cava syndrome
Embolic pneumonia
Trauma
Pulmonary abscesses
Thrombocytopaenia
Pulmonary haemorrhage
What are the risk factors of caudal vena cava syndrome
more commonly seen in animals fed high grain or concentrate diet
subacute ruminal acidosis is a pre-disposing condition of CVCS
Describe the pathogenesis of caudal vena cava syndrome
SARS–> ruminitis –> bacteria translocation from rumen to blood stream –> hepatic abscessation–> if this is near the caudal vena cava it gets eroded and a septic thrombus can form–> can travel to lung and cause embolic pneumonia
Pulmonary aneurysms commonly develop following embolic spread to lungs- rupture can cause epistaxis
Describe how to diagnose caudal vena cava syndrome
can be difficult especially in early stages
Imaging can be helpful- ultrasound- endoscopy
where can the caudal vena cava be imaged using ultrasound in cows
can be imaged in the liver from the 11th and 12th intercostal spaces on the right hand side.
List 3 differentials for bleeding disorders in cattle
Trauma
Thrombocytopaenia
Bracken toxicity
Are generally quite rare in farmed species
List 4 possible causes of acute/ peracute haemorrhage in cattle
Abomasal ulceration
trauma
calving injury
Caudal vena cava syndrome
If there is a laceration of of vaginal artery what do you do
vagina is packed with clean material (e.g. a bedsheet) to apply pressure and achieve haemostasis.
Describe the treatment of acute haemorrhage in cattle
Haemostasis - STOP bleeding most important first aid treatment
Restoration of circulating volume
Blood transfusion- depends
describe how to restore circulating volume in cattle
IV hypertonic saline immediately followed by oral fluids efficient method of providing fluids
At what point do you perform blood transfusion in cow
PCV <10%- indication in almost all cases
PCV 10-15% is an indication to consider blood transfusion in some cases
which animals should be used as a blood donor in cattle
Healthy, adult cattle that are not heavily pregnant or recently calved are suitable donors.
How much blood should be transfused in cattle
5-6 L in most adult cattle
Is epistaxis itself common in cattle
No
What type of BVD is associated with bleeding disorders
type 2
