Bovine Flashcards
Portions of ruminant GI PE (7)
- external palpation of rumen fill, stratification
- auscultation of rumen contractions
- simultaneous auscultation/percussion (“pinging”) of abdomen bilaterally
- rectal examination
- tests for abdominal pain (grunt, withers pinch test)
- thorough oral exam
- observe for rumenation
What are you evaluating in a rumen sample analysis?
- pH
- wet mount (population and motility of protozoa)
- color
3 forms/categories of ruminant ‘indigestion’
- simple
- severe
- lactic acidosis
CS of ‘simple’ indigestion (4)
- depression
- diminished appetite
- decreased rumen contractions
- rumen distension
CS of ‘severe’ indigestion (6)
- sudden, dramatic change of attitude
- decreased appetite
- decreased milk production
- recumbency
- dehydration
- complete rumen stasis w/ gas cap
CS of lactic acidosis (8)
- anorexia
- dehydration
- increased HR and RR
- recumbency
- complete GI stasis
- bloat
- semi-coma/coma
- blindness
characteristics of normal rumen contents (pH, color, odor)
- pH 6.4-6.8
- contents olive green
- VFA odor
characteristics of rumen contents during lactic acidosis (pH, color, odor)
- pH 4.5-5.0
- contents milky color
- sour, fermented odor
lab data associated with lactic acidosis (4)
- high anion gap acidosis
- decreased Ca, Mg
- hemoconcentration (? PCV and Hb)
- CBC: neutropenia and toxicity
treatment for simple/severe ruminant indigestion (5)
- ruminotoric (laxatives as powder or bolus)
- Ca
- good quality forage
- transfaunation (+/-)
- thiamine until normal appetite
Treatment for lactic acidosis (6)
- IV fluids (no bicarb)
- rumenotomy
- transfaunation
- Ca, Mg
- thiamine, NSAID
- antibiotics
Potential complications of indigestion/lactic acidosis (6)
- fungal or bacterial rumenitis
- rumen necrosis
- peritonitis
- hepatic abscess
- vena cava thrombosis
- laminitis
prevention of indigestion/lactic acidosis (2)
- gradual introduction to cereal grains
- high percentage of good quality roughage
_______ is a recurrent problem in individual animals on a high grain diet, defined as eructation or rumen outflow failure
free gas bloat
Free gas bloat is particularly common in __________ and in animals following ______________
- calves <6 months
- bronchopneumonia
CS of free gas bloat (4)
- marked abdominal distension
- L sided ping
- large gas cap on rumen
- sudden death (1-5 hours after ingestion of offending feed)
Necropsy findings for free gas bloat
bloat line: pale thoracic esophagus, congested cervical esophagus
Free gas bloat treatment
- pass a stomach tube (remove gas)
- administer antacid-ruminotoric mixtures
- avoid trocharization if possible (secondary peritonitis)
- identify underlying problem
An animal with marked abdominal distention but lacking a ping is probably suffering from __________
frothy bloat
Causes of frothy bloat
feeding of lush pasture, legumes (clover, alfalfa)
- these are high in chloroplast membrane fragments and soluble protein, producing a stable foam that traps gas, blocks the cardia and prevets eructation
Treatment for frothy bloat (3)
- administration of anti-foaming agents
(Poloxalene, dioctyl sodium succinate, vegetable oil)
- oral fluids
- Ca
Traumatic reticulitis is more common during ________ and ___________
- late pregnancy
- partruition
Why are cattle more prone to traumatic peritonitis?
they are indiscriminant eaters
4 things that ingested items can do once they’ve collected in the reticulum
- sit harmlessly
- small perforation: local peritonitis
- large perforation: generalized peritonitis
- perforate reticular wall and diaphragm
CS of acute TRP (6)
sudden drop in milk production -
anorexia, lethargy
- ↓ fecal output
- fever
- ↑HR, RR
- cranial abdominal pain
2 signs of cranial abdominal pain (cow)
- positive grunt or withers pinch test
- abducted elbows, arched stance
CS of TRP when chronic (4)
- weight loss
- poor lactation
- rough hair coat
- vagal indigestion
Diagnosis of TRP (4)
- history, PE
- lab data
- abdominal US
- reticular radiograph
Lab data associated with TRP (4)
- leukopenia (acute)
- leukocytosis (chronic)
- ↑ fibrinogen
- ↑ globulin (chronic)
Treatment for TRP (4)
- stall confinement
- administer magnet
- broad spectrum antibiotics
- symptomatic therapy (fluids, electrolytes, NSAIDs)
Prevention of TRP (2)
- prophylactic administration of magnets
- environment (limit access to sharp pointy things)
______________: syndrome characterized by disruption to the forestomach emptying
vagal indigestion
2 types of vagal indigestion
- failure of omasal transport
- failure of abomasal emptying
predisposing factors for vagal indigestion (3)
- adhesions
- TRP
- irritation of the vagal nerve
CS of vagal indigestion (5)
- ↓ feed intake with normal water consumption
- ↓ milk production
- bradicardia
- variable rumen sounds (↑ but ineffective contractions)
- “papple” or L-shape from behind (rumen gas cap and ventral filling)
Diagnosis of Vagal indigestion
- history, PE
- lab data
- rumen analysis
- ultrasound
- radiography (TRP)
Lab data associated with vagal indigestion (2)
- normal (if omasal transit failure)
- hypochloremic metabolic acidosis (abomasal transit disruption)
Differential diagnoses for Vagal indigestion (3)
- indigestion
- bloat (gas or frothy)
- other proximal GI disease (omasal or abomasal impaction, small intestinal obstruction)
__________ is usually reqquired to establish the underlying cause for vagal indigestion
exploratory laparotomy
Prognosis for vagal indigestion
extremely poor if associated with adhesion formation or neoplasia
- pregnant animals often improve after calving
3 types of abomasal displacement
- simple L-sided displacement
- simple R-sided displacement
- R-sided displacement with volvulus
In LDA, the abomasum migrates from its normal position and lodges between the ______ and the __________, resulting in ______________
- rumen
- L abdominal wall
- partial pyloric obstruction
LDA is most common in ______________
lactating dairy cattle in the first 3 months after calving
predisposing factors for LDA (4)
- diet
- hypocalcemia
- inherited predisposition
- concurrent illness
CS of LDA (5)
- ↓ in milk production
- L-sided ping
- ↓ appetite
- altered feces (volume and consistency)
- distant rumen contractions
Diagnosis of LDA (3)
- history, signalment
- L-sided ping
- lab data
Lab data associated with LDA (5)
- ketosis
- aciduria
- +/- hypochloremic metabolic acidosis
- hypokalemia
- hypocalcemia
treatment of LDA (3)
- fluid therapy (typicaly oral, calcium, dextrose (IV) or propylene glycol (oral))
- surgical correction (R paralumbar omentopexy)
- rolling (potential for recurrence; not commonly done)
Diagnosis of RDA
- R-sided ping
- lab findings similar to LDA
Treatment of RDA
surgical correction: R flank omentopexy
Differential diagnoses for R-sided ping (4)
- RDA
- abomasal volvulus
- cecal dilatation/volvulus
- gas in the: spiral colon, duodenum, rectum, uterus, rumen, peritoneum
A R-sided abomasal volvulus may follow a _____ or ________
- RDA
- rolling of an LDA
An abomasal volvulus can rotate either direction, but most commonly __________ (when viewed from behind), results in the pylorus ending up near the ___________
- counterclockwise
- reticulum
CS of abomasal volvulus (4)
- more dramatic than with simple displacement
- lethargy
- dehydration
- ↑ HR and RR
Treatment of abomasal volvulus (3)
- R flank omentopexy
- R paramedian abomasopexy
- fluid resuscitation
Prognosis for abomasal volvulus
- <50% after 24 h
- <5% after 48 h
- inversely proportionate to HR and anion gap
the prognosis for abomasal volvulus varies inversely with ________ and ___________
HR and anion gap
Complications of abomasal volvulus (3)
- atony and failure of abomasal emptying
- abomasal impaction
- vagal indigestion
Abomasal ulceration is associated with (4)
- intensive rearing (calves, cows first 6 weeks after calving)
- stress
- concurrent disease
- NSAID therapy
2 varieties of abomasal ulceration
perforated and non-perforated
Which type of abomasal ulcer is prone to bleed?
non-perforating
typically, _______ ulcers do notperforate and ______ ulcers do not bleed
- bleeding
- perforating
CS of abomasal ulceration
- similar to TRP
- anorexia
- fever
- rumen stasis
- focal abdominal pain
- bruxism
- rapid deterioration if large perforation)
- bleeding, non-perforating ulcers
- dark, tarry feces
- pale mucous membranes
- rapid pulse
- weakess
- cool extremities
Diagnosis of abomasal ulceration
- history, PE
- lab data
- peritoneal tap
- leukocytosis/leukopenia (peritonitis)
- anemia
- hypoproteinemia
- US
Abomasal ulceration treatment (5)
- nhigh quality forage; no grain
- stall confinement
- antibiotics
- ant-acid drugs
- blood transfusion
Prognosis for abomasal ulceration
poor if perforated, good if bleeding but not perforated
_________: an infectious cause of calf diarrhea that is a major cause of calf mortality
Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC)
_________ is the most important E. coli toxin in calves because it is _______ and has ________
- STa
- heat stable
- rapid onset
E. coli calf infections have an onset of ___-___ d of age (up to _________ with mixed infections)
- 1-7 d
- 3 weeks
CS of E. coli calf diarrhea
- mild to severe diarrhea
- dehydration (if severe, dehydration and weakness can preceed diarrhea)
Lab data associated with ETEC (7)
- metabolic acidosis (HCO3- loss can be extreme)
- ↓ Na
- ↓ Cl
- ↓ glucose
- ↑K
- CBC: hemoconcentration, leukopenia (+/-) - alkaline fecal pH
Diagnosis of ETEC (4)
- age
- CS
- Lab data
- fecal isolation of E. coli with appropriate fimbrial antigens (rarely actually done)
Prevention of ETEC (4)
- clean environment
- adequate colostral transfer
- commercial bacterin to dry cows
- monoclonal antibody product after birth
Calves
<2 weeks
Severity of Rotavirus infection is greatest in animals < _____ d of age
5d
Pathophysiology of Rotavirus infection
- SI only
- localized to villous tips
- enzyme deficiencies (lactase)
- net secretion
CS of Rotavirus (5)
- lethargy
- dehydration
- ↓ appetite
- low-grade fever
- diarrhea
Diagnosis of Rotavirus (4)
- electron microscopy
- ELISA
- latex agglutination
- fecal pH tends to be acidic (<6.5)
prevention of Rotavirus (3)
- phenol-based disinfectant
- vaccination of dry cows
- ensure adequate passive transfer of immunoglobulin
Age range for calf Coronavirus infection
older calves, 7-21 d (range 1 to 90 days)
_________ is a cause of diarrhea that affects both the SI and colon
Coronavirus
Pathology of Coronavirus
infects the epitelial cells of jejunal villi and causes villous blunting; crypt cells are spared
CS of Coronavirus (5)
- depression
- reluctance to nurse
- diarrhea usually severe and watery
- dehydration
- feces may contain clear mucus (signs typically last >7 days)
Diagnosis of Coronavirus
- fecal tests (EM and ELISA)
- FA test of tissues (shed by healthy adult cattle and calves)
Prevention of Coronavirus (4)
- environmental management
- vaccination of dry cows
- ensure adequate colostral transfer
- commercial oral antibody products at birth
Infectious causes of calf diarrhea
- E. coli (ETEC)
- Rotavirus
- Coronavirus
- Salmonella
Which areas of the GI tract are affected by Salmonellosis?
- distal SI
- cecum
- colon
Calves with diarrhea from ____ infection are often bacteremic
Salmonella
Potential complications of Salmonella in calves (4)
- synovitis
- osteomyelitis
- pneumonia
- meningitis
Calf salmonellosis infection can occur as early as ____d, but usually >_____d of age
- 4d
- >14d
CS of salmonellosis (2)
- fever
- diarrhea (often bloody)
Lab data associated with Salmonellosis (4)
- WBCs
- ↓ w/ L shift and toxicity if acute
- ↑ if chronic
- dehydration
- hemoconcentration, azotemia
- TP normal to ↓
- metabolic acidosis
- ↓ Na, Cl
Salmonella diagnostics (2)
- blood culture
- fecal culture
Necropsy findings associated with Salmonellosis
fibirnonecrotic or diphtheritic membranes in the distal SI, cecum, and/or colon
Prevention of Salmonellosis
Environmental hygeine
(vaccines are of questionable value)
Cryptosporidium parvum typically affects calves of what age?
5-15 d, up to 30d
T/F
Cryptosporidium parvum is host specific
F
Pathophysiology of Cryptosporidium parvum
villous atrophy, fusion, and crypt inflammation
CS for Crypto infection
typically mild, non-specific
reduced feed intake
dehydration
often resolves spontaneously within 7 days
Diagnosis of Crypto infection
acid-fast staining of fresh feces
Attaching & effacing E. coli infection is seen in calves of what age?
variable (2d to 4 months)
Pathology of A&E E. coli
produces cytotoxins
- significant intestinal damage
- histological changes in the SI, cecum, colon
CS of A&E E. coli
- blood in the feces
- malabsorption
- maldigestion
- protein loss
Coccidiosis typically affects calves of what age?
2-4 months
range: 3 weeks to 18 months
CS of Coccidiosis
- mild signs
- loose feces
- dull haircoat
- failure to thrive
- Severe signs (less common)
- bloody diarrhea
- tenesmus
- colic
Diagnosis of Coccidiosis
fecal flotation
>5,000 oocysts/g considered significant
Coccidiosis treatment (2)
Amprolium or sulfamethazine
Prevention of Coccidiosis (3)
- Monensin
- Lasalocid
- Amprolium
Clostridium perfringens typically infects calves of what age group?
>14 days (up to 90d)
CS of Clostridium perfringens (4)
- abdominal distention and colic
- lethargy, dehydration
- diarrhea: usually low volume, often bloody
- central neurological signs
Diagnosis of C. perfringens (3)
- CS
- minimal acidosis
- toxin identification
Treatment of C. perfringens (3)
- antibiotics (penicillin)
- thiamine
- anti-toxin
Prevention of C. perfringens infection
administer Type C and D toxoid prior to calving
a recumbent calf is likely to be __-___% dehydrated
12-15%
a weak calf is likely to be __-___% dehydrated
8-12%
a sick but ambulatory calf is likely to be __-___% dehydrated
5-8%
General therapies for recumbent/weak calves
- IV fluid therapy
- Bicarb supplementation
- IV hypertonic followed by oral fluids?
- antibiotics?
- milk withdrawal
- only with severe cases and for less than 24h
General therapies for ambulatory calves
- oral fluid therapy
- bicarb containing
- energy source (glucose)
- 4-6 L daily
- interspersed with milk feeding
- antibiotics?
T/F
It is best to simply combine oral fluids with milk replacer for a sick but ambulatory calf
F
Do not dilute milk/milk replacer, alternate feedings
Causes of sudden onset diarrhea (without oral lesions) in adult cattle (7)
- salmonellosis
- winter dysentery
- paratuberculosis
- arsenic toxicosis
- coccidiosis
- parasitism
- BVD (short clinical course)
Causes of sudden onset diarrhea (WITH oral lesions) in adult cattle (3)
- mucosal disease (BVD)
- Rinderpest
- Malignant catarrhal fever
___________ is the most common cause of acute diarrhea in adult cattle
Salmonella
_________: strain of Salmonella that exhibits vertical transmission
S. dublin
S. dublin may localize to what tissues? (4)
- mammary gland
- lung
- uterus
- fetus
CS of acute Salmonellosis in ADULT cattle (6)
- drop in milk production
- fever
- lethargy
- ↓ feed intake
- watery, fetid diarrhea (blood, mucus, fibrin casts)
- abortion
It is primarily important to differentiate Salmonellosis (ADULT) from _____ and _________
BVDV
winter dysentery
ADULT diagnosis of Salmonella (2)
- bacterial culture of feces (>3 samples)
- rectal biopsy
Treatment of ADULT salmonellosis (3)
- fluid therapy
- NSAIDs
- +/- antibiotics
___________: explosive outbreaks of diarrhea in adult cattle between October and April
winter dysentery
What is the most likely cause of winter dysentery?
coronavirus
CS of Winter dysentery
- fever
- acute, fetid, watery diarrhea (potential for severe blood loss in first time infections)
- ↓ appetite, milk production
CS of Johne’s Disease
- chronic, intermittent diarrhea (without blood)
- ↓ milk production
- weight loss
- edema
__________ is the causitive agent of Johne’s disease
Mycobacterium avium subsp. Paratuberculosis
Johne’s diagnosis: Herd
- environmental testing
- ELISA on a subset of the population
Johne’s diagnosis: individual w/ clinical signs
- antibody quantitative ELISA
- fecal culture, PCR
______ is used for Johne’s diagnosis in small ruminants and ________ is used for camelids
- ELISA
- fecal PCR
Control of Johne’s
- herd biosecurity
- buy from known MAP-negative sources
- raise replacements instead of buying
- manure control (including on crops)
- enforce biosecurity for all, including visitors
- test and cull infected animals
Prevention of new Johne’s infections (on a known positive farm)
- maternity pen
- remove calves within 10 minutes
- clean cows and pens with adequate bedding
- colostrum management
- seronegative cows, not pooled, heat-treated
- colostrum replacers
- calf-rearing
- separate from adults
- milk replacer or pasteurized milk
- avoid manure contamination
- clean water sources
CS of BVD (6)
- viral diarrhea
- reproductive syndrome
- congenital deformities
- immunosuppression
- persistent infection
- mucosal disease
CS of ACUTE Mucosal disease (BVD)
sudden onset, animals >6 months old (infected in utero prior to d 150)
- fever
- lethargy
- anorexia
- ↑ HR, RR
- profuse, watery diarrhea (can contain mucus, blood, fibrin)
- shallow buccal erosions
- rumen stasis, dehydration
-
CS of CHRONIC Mucosal disease (6)
- recurrent diarrhea
- chronic bloat
- anorexia
- lethargy
- rough hair coat
- chronic oral erosions
Potential causes of bloody diarrhea (4 calf, 3 adult)
- calf
- Salmonellosis
- A&E E. coli
- coccidiosis
- Clostridium perfringens
-
Adult
- Salmonella
- Winter Dysentery
- Acute Mucosal disease (BVD)
Adult Bovine TPR
- T 101-103
- HR: 60-90 bpm
- RR: 15-25
