Clinical examination of cattle Flashcards
Peracute
0-24hrs
Acute
24-96hrs
Subacute
4-14 days
Chronic
Longer than 14 days
Initial (hands off examination)
Mental status and temperament
Posture and gait
Conformation
Body condition
Abdominal shape
Skin
Appetite and cud chewing
Evidence of urination and defecation
Parts of the hands on examination
Caudal region
Left trunk
Left neck
Right neck
Right trunk
Mammary system
External genitalia
Head
Rectal
Vaginal
Urinalysis
Musculoskeletal system
Examination of the caudal region
Observation of the perineum
Tail tone
Rectal temperature
Pulse (tail vein)
MM of vulva assessed
RR and effort
Observation of the tail head and neck
Abdominal shape assessed
Rear udder assessed in female animals
Testicles, epididymis, spermatic cords and scrotum assessed in entire male animals
What is the normal pulse in cattle?
Adult: 60-80/min
Calves: 70-100/min
Causes of tachycardia in cattle
Excitement, disease, pain
Causes of bradycardia in cattle
Seen in few diseases: pituitary abscess, vagal indigestion, botulism
Also in recumbent animals or animals that have been deprived of feed for a long time
Normal body temp of cattle
38-39.5 degrees
Normal RR in cattle
Adult cattle: 15-35/min
Calves: 20-40/min
Where can you palpate the supramammary lymph nodes?
Slide hand between hind leg and udder along dorsolateral aspect of udder until the lymph node is met
Usually flattened and nodular
Examination of the left trunk
Auscultation of rumen
Rumen is balloted and percussed
Simultaneous auscultation and percussion of left abdomen
Left hind leg examined
Left side of udder palpated and left mammary vein checked for fullness
Abdomen assessed for pain
Heart is auscultated
Ausculation of the left lung field
Left thorax can be percussed
How often do normal cattle have ruminal contractions?
Every 90s to 3 mins
How can you assess the abdomen for pain?
Grunt test
Withers pinch test
Eric Williams test
Grunt test
Sharp pressure applied to ventral abdomen (at peak inspiration with tracheal asuculation)
If pain animal will lift abdomen, tighten neck musculature, groan/grunt audibly
Withers pinch test
Withers are forcefully squeezed at peak inspiration
Most animals arch back but if in pain will rigidly resist arching back
Eric Williams test
For the early detection of reticulitis
Stethoscope over trachea and hand over left sublumbar fossa to detect ruminal movement.
A quiet grunt may be heard just before the start of the ruminal component of the A wave
Heart sounds in cattle
Normal sounds:
S1 systolic sound, start of ventricular systole, closure of AV valves
S2 diastolic sound, start of diastole and closure of pulmonic and aortic valves
Many normal cattle have split first heart sounds - gallop rhythm (asynchronous closure of the AV valves)
Examination of the left neck
Jugular vein inspected
Hydration status assessed
Left superficial cervical (pre-scapular) LN palpated
URT assessed (compress trachea to induce a cough)
The left front leg is assessed
Examination of the right neck
Jugular vein inspected
Hydration status assessed
Right superficial cervical (pre-scapular) LN palpated
URT assessed (compress trachea to induce a cough)
The right front leg is assessed
Examination of the right trunk
Heart and lungs auscultated and percussed
Right abdomen auscultated and percussed
In young animals unmbilicus is inspected and palpated
Right subiliac (pre-femoral) LN palpated
Right hind leg examined
Examination of the mammary system
Udder is examined and palpated for confirmation
Milk is assessed in lactating cows
Examination of the head
Examined last in adult cattle
Assess attitude (head, ear, and eye position)
Check head for symmetry
Cr nerves checked for deficits
Nose and nostrils inspected
Sinuses (frontal, corneal, maxillary) are percussed
Mouth is examined
Skin of upper eyelid can be pinched to assess hydration
Eyes are checked
Ears palpated
Mandibles inspected for lesions
Throat latch area palpated
LNs inspected
Rectal examination
Mandatory in appropriately sized cattle
Faeces inspected
Pelvic cavity inspected
Bladder palpated
Termination of aorta palpated
Iliac LNs palpated
Iliac pulses may be assessed
Reproductive tract assessed
Rumen palpated
L kidney is palpated
R side of abdomen palpated for abnormal viscera
Ages with all deciduous teeth
0-24mo
2 teeth
about 18-30mo
4 teeth
About 24-36mo
6 teeth
About 30-42mo
8 teeth
About 36mo onwards
Worn full mouth
From about 7yrs
Broken mouth
Aged cattle
Gummy mouth
Aged cattle
Indications for left flank ex-lap
LDA, traumatic reticulitis, rumenotomy, investigation of ruminal bloat
Plapable strucutres in left ex-lap
Rumen
Reticulum
Abomasum
Spleen
Left border of liver
Diaphragm
Left kidney through peritoneal fat
Path of ureters
Bladder
Uterus
Right and left ovaries
Descending colon
Indications for right flank ex-lap
LDA, RDA, Caecal dilatation or torsion, intussusception
Palpable structures on right flank ex-lap
Caecum
Small intestine
Large intestine
Liver
Abomasum
