Cattle Physical Examination Flashcards
Describe the handler position, flight zone, and blind spots of cattle.
The handler should be at a 60 degree angle from the side of the cow on the edge of the flight zone. The flight zone is the zone in which the cow will move away from the handler. The point of balance is the position within the flight zone where the direction of the movement changes. The point of balance is usually at the shoulder of the cow. Enter the flight zone behind the point of balance and the cow moves forward. Enter the flight zone in front of it and the cow moves backward. Read more: http://www.ehow.com/facts_5754918_flight-zone-cattle_.html#ixzz2n5UXkyxH
Cows do not like to be moved to areas that are darker/lighter?
darker
What is the best method for getting cattle through chutes?
curved pens that narrow towards the end to the chute
What are the 4 components of a physical exam?
History, Observation, Examination, Interpretation
A diagnosis can be made in 56% of cattle cases with a thorough __.
History
What doe the history consist of?
Signalment (Observation), General Questioning (Nutrition, Housing), Specific Questioning (signs, duration, onset); Medical History: Previous illness, vaccination history, deworming
What observations can you make just by observing the animal?
Attitude, behavior, posture, gait, body conditioning, body symmetry, environmental interaction, observe other members of the flock
What are the levels for body conditioning in beef cattle? Dairy cattle? Sheep? Camelids?
Beef: 1-9 Dairy: 1-5 Sheep: 0-5 Camelids: 1-9
Describe a normal physical exam for a dairy cow and a beef cow.
Dairy Cow: Observation, Urine, Rectal temp, Ascult from left to right (thorax, abdomen, lymph nodes, abdomen, throax), rectal exam, vaginal exam, head and neck exam Beef Cow: same except you don’t need to get a urine sample
What are the first 2 things you should do in your physical exam?
Rectal Temperature Urine (check urine keytones): rub the escution or do a vulva clap
What do increased lungs sounds represent? Decreased lung sounds?
Increased: crackles/wheezes Decreased: consolidation/pleural fluid
What is a whithers pinch test?
Many gastrointestinal diseases cause abdominal pain in the cow. Cows with GI pain often stand hunched up with their elbows abducted. The withers can be pinched (sometimes it requires two hands). A normal cow will flex her back ventrally when her withers are pinched. A cow that is painful will not flex ventrally.
What is the mos common arrythmia in cows?
A-fib
What are murmurs in the heart an indication of?
vascular insufficiency, ventricular septal defect, washing machine murmur (hardware disease)
Jugular pulses extend __ of the way up the neck.
1/3
What is the normal temperature for cattle, sheep, goats, and llamas?
Cattle: 100.5-102 Sheep: 102-103.5 Goats: 101.5-103.5 Llamas: 99-102
What is the normal heart rate for cattle, sheep, goats, and llamas?
Cattle: 60-80 Sheep: 60-120 Goats: 70-110 Llamas: 40-60
What is the normal respiratory rate for cattle, sheep, goats, and llamas?
Cattle: 12-36 Sheep: 12-72 Goats: 15-40 Llamas: 2-40
Explain ballottement and succussion in cattle physical exams.
Ballottement and succussion may reveal fluid-splashing sounds when the rumen or bowel is filled with fluid. Ballottement: a technique of palpating an organ or floating structure by bouncing it gently and feeling it rebound. Succussion: the shaking of the body during an examination, a splashing sound indicating the presence of fluid and air in a body cavity.
Over which areas do you listen for pings in ascultation?
9-12 Intercostal spaces
Which lymph nodes do you palpate?
sub-iliac lymph nodes
What are the requirements for hearing a ping?
- gas/fluid interface 2. Viscous under pressure 3. Viscous adjacent to abdominal wall
What are the differentials for left-sided pings?
- Left Displaced Abomasum 2. Rumen Gas Cap 3. Physometra 4. Pneumoperitoneum
What is the LipTak test?
tests for abomasum acidic pH; the rumen should be relatively neutral
What are the differentials for right-sided pings?
- Right Displaced Abomasum 2. Right Abomasal Volvulus 3. Cecal Dilation/Volvulus 4. Spiral Colon/Small Intestinal Gas 5. Physometra 6. Pneumoperitoneum
What are the clinical signs of vagal indigestion?
- Abdominal Distention (papple shape) 2. Bloat 3. Diminished Fecal Output 4. Bradycardia 5. Hypo/Hyper rumen motility 6. Loss of appetite
What do you check for in a rectal examination?
presence and consistency of manure, pressure, pelvic bones, rumen, left kidney (pushed to the right off the midline), sublumbar lymph nodes
What are the lymph nodes checked during a physical exam?
suprascapular, submandibular, prefemoral, supramammary
What are the tests for mastitis?
Black Plate, California Mastitis Test
Which do you do first? A vaginal exam or a rectal exam?
Vaginal
A diagnosis can be made in __% of cattle after the physical exam.
73%
A diagnosis can be made in __% of cattle with a complete history and physical exam.
88%
If you still do not have a diagnosis by the end of the physical exam, what are some steps to take?
- If you are suspecting LDA, then pass a stomach tube and listen, Liptak test, pump rumen, blood test, “floaters”, heifers are NEVER ketotic 2. Belly tap 3. Ultrasound 4. Laparatomy 5. Laparoscopy
What is a a laparatomy?
Systemic exploration of the abdomen. RIGHT: provides better access to abdominal viscera LEFT: provides access to abomasum, LDA
Breed?
Holstein
Breed?
Aryshire
Breed?
Jersey
Breed?
Guernsey
Breed?
Milking Shorthorn
Breed?
Brown Swiss
What is the difference between the Dutch Belted and Belted Galloway?
At first glance, Dutch Belted and Belted Galloway cattle look much alike. However, if you saw a specimen from each breed standing beside each other, you’d spot obvious differences despite their similar coat patterns. The Dutch Belted is a dairy breed, while the Belted Galloway was developed for beef production.
An animal that is experiencing the extension of the head and neck upon observation at rest has a differential diagnosis of __.
severe pulmonary disease
An animal that is experiecing an arch back and reluctance to move upon observation at rest has a differential diagnosis of __.
traumatic reticuloperitonitis, perforating abomasal ulcers, back injury
An animal that is kicking at their belly upon observation at rest has a differential diagnosis of __.
obstructive urolithiasis
An animal that is experiencing extension of the head, partially closed eyes, and depression upon observation at rest has a differential diagnosis of __.
encephalitis, frontal sinusitis
A downer cow showing an “S” curve in her neck upon observation at rest has a differential diagnosis of __.
Hypokaliemia, hypocalcemia
An abnormal odor in cattle could lead to a differentail diagnosis of __
metritis, vaginitis, retained placenta, udder rot, melena
Ascultation of the left thorax is done at which locations?
Pulmonary (left 3rd intercostal space), Aoritc (left 4th IC space), Mitral (left 5th IC space)
American shorthorn
Angus
Beefmaster
Belgian Blue
Brahman
charolais
gelbvieh
herefored
limousin
maine anjou
nelore
simmental
