Calf Problems: Bacterial Septicaemia

Question 1

1. What bacteria cause septicaemia in calves?
2. Clinical signs of colisepticaemia.

Answer 1

1. E. coli and salmonella spp.
2. • “Sudden death” or dull, stiff, reluctant to rise and feed.
     – Pyrexia – 40.5C –> decline.
     - Subnormal
     – collapse.
     – diarrhoea.
     – CNS signs.
     – swollen joints.
     – death <12hrs or go septic.
     - Polyarthritis, multiple abscesses, meningitis.
     – endotoxic shock –> DIC.
     – CV collapse.
     - Hypogammaglobulinaemia (reduced immunoglobulin).

Question 2

Colisepticaemia treatment.

Answer 2

Usually ineffective.
Try IV fluids.
Try NSAIDs:
- Flunixin, Ketoprofen, Carprofen, Meloxicam, Tolfenamic acid.
Try ABX e.g.:
- Florfenicol, Amoxycillin / Clavulanic acid, Trimethoprim / sulphonamide, (Enrofloxacin).

Question 3

Control of neonatal septicaemia.

Answer 3

• Colostrum.
• Cleanliness.
• Reduce obstetrical problems.
• Dip navel.
• Management of cow and calf.

Question 4

1. What is bacterial meningitis in calves a sequel to?
2. Clinical signs of bacterial meningitis in calves?

Answer 4

1. Bacteriaemia in hypogammaglobulinaemia calves.
2. • Clinically depressed.
     - Hypopyon (ocular inflammation).
     - Opisthotonus (abnormal posture).
     - Blindness.
     - Paddling/convulsions.
     - Coma.
     - Often diarrhoea.

Question 5

1. Bacterial meningitis prognosis.
2. Treatment of bacterial meningitis.
3. Important function that the drugs used must have.
4. Prevention of bacterial meningitis.

Answer 5

1. Poor prognosis, aggressive, early treatment essential.
2. ABX, anticonvulsants, nursing care.
3. Cross blood-CSF barrier.
4. Good colostral transfer.

Question 6

1. What bacteria causes bacterial polyarthritis.
2. What is omphalophlebitis?
3. Clinical signs of omphalophlebitis/polyarthritis.

Answer 6

1. Trueperella pyogenes, fusobacterium necrophorum, staphylococcus spp., streptococcus spp., E. coli, other incl. Salmonella.
2. Inflammation of the umbilical vein.
3. • Hot, painful, swollen joints.
     - Lameness, recumbent.
     - Dull pyrexic, anorexia.
     - Swollen painful navel / purulent discharge.

Question 7

Diagnostic tests for polyarthritis/omphalophlebitis.

Answer 7

Synovial joint culture and analysis.
- Protein <30-40g/l.
- WBC >/= 30x10^9/l.
Radiology.

Question 8

1. Polyarthritis types.
2. Results of synovitis and necrosis?

Answer 8

1. • S-type = Synovial.
     - E-type = Epiphyseal.
     - P-type = Physeal.
2. • Synovitis and necrosis&raquo_space; destructive enzymes reduce glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans leading to cartilage destruction and osteomyelitis, so rapid treatment required

Question 9

1. Aims of polyarthritis/omphalophlebitis treatment.
2. Treatment of polyarthritis/omphalophlebitis.
3. Prognosis of polyarthritis/omphalophlebitis.

Answer 9

1. • Remove destructive enzymes.
     - Eliminate infectious agents.
     - Decrease inflammation and pain.
2. Broad spectrum ABX for at least 2wks.
   Must have good tissue perfusion.
   Acid intra-articular environment.
   Joint drainage.
   Arthrotomy / arthroscopy.
   Joint rest.
   Anti-inflammatory therapy NSAIDs.
3. Very guarded. “Navel-ill” requires surgical treatment.

Question 10

1. Prevention of omphalophlebitis.
2. Navel-ill and joint-ill in calves aetiology.
3. Clinical scenarios of navel-ill.
4. Differential diagnoses of navel-ill and joint-ill.
5. Prognosis of navel-ill and joint-ill.

Answer 10

1. Environment, navel dressing, colostrum.
2. Bacteraemia/septicaemia arising from navel or chronic neonatal septicaemia.
3. • Abscessation of navel only.
     - Spread from navel into falciform ligament.
     - Spread along urachus.
     - Peritonitis.
     - Haematogenous spread to single or multiple joints.
4. Umbilical hernia, joint trauma.
5. Good in uncomplicated navel ill to poor in joint ill to hopeless in liver or peritoneal involvement.

Question 11

1. Navel-ill and joint-ill treatment.
2. Prevention of navel-ill and joint-ill.

Answer 11

1. Broad spectrum ABX until culture available. Surgical excision may be necessary in navel-ill.
   Lance and flush large abscesses and allow to granulate.
   Joint lavage.
2. Adequate colostrum, treatment of navel at birth, separate navel suckers from other calves.