Clinical GI (FA) Flashcards
What is Effective Rumen Degradable Protein?
N containing compound broken down to NH4 to feed gut flora
What does high urea in the blood indicate, in terms of nutrition?
Excess ERDP - insufficient ME
What is the main product from the breakdown of carbohydrates?
VFAs
Where are VFAs absorbed?
Across the Rumen wall
How much energy is needed by the cow per day?
M: 65-70MJ
P: 5MJ/L
When does a dairy cow reach peak yield?
~8w post calving
Which type of feeding causes the dolly parton effect of acidosis?
Traditional - Silage at barrier and cake in parlour
What does low Milk Protein indicate?
Low Energy in diet
What does Low butterfat % indicate?
Lack of fibre
How should the diet change in the dry period?
1st 5w: low E, High fibre
last 3w: transition diet
OR
“dry cow diet”: MD 8-8.5, 2” straw. 8-10kg/head/day
What is an easy way to make a transition diet?
Add straw/hay to high yielder TMR
Which 2 conditions are caused by obesity in early lactation?
Fatty Liver
Type 2 Diabetes
What is normal rumen pH?
6-7
How does saliva affect rumen pH?
Neutralises Acid - Contains high levels of bicarbonate, released when chewing LONG fibre
What is the pH of the rumen in SARA?
<5.5
How long should fibres be in the faeces of a health cow?
<1/2”
Where should a rumen sample be taken from
6-8” behind last rib at stifle level
What needle/syringe is used to sample the rumen?
3-5” 16-18G
Which nutritional disorder may cause a bloated rumen, ataxia, profuse, smelly D+, depression, recumbency and shocl?
Acute Ruminal Acidosis
A deficiency of which trace element leads to weak neonates?
Iodine
Which cattle herds are most at risk of trace element deficiencies?
Beef at pasture
Which age group of cows are most at risk of contracting Johnes?
<1yo - ESP 1st 4w
Which age group of cow most commonly display signs of Johnes?
> 3yo
What it the major transmission route for Johnes?
Oro-Faecal
For each clinical case, how many cows are infected with Johnes?
10-25
Which branch of the immune system is protective against Johnes?
CMI
What does +ve ELISA for Johnes Indicate?
Immune control lost. MAP is being shed in faeces
What 3 methods of calf husbandry can be employed to lower the risk of Johnes Transmission?
Snatch Calving
NO waste milk feeding
NO pooled colostrum feeding
What is the lowest risk strategy for buying in stock, with regard to Johnes?
Buy from herd with Whole Herd Test -ve on 3 occasions
What are the 4 main Ddx for recumbent cow post-calving?
Milk Fever
Acute Coliform Mastitis
Botulism
Injury at Calving
How is ovine hypocalcaemia treated?
20ml CaBG IV (or 80ml SC)
How is clinical ketosis treated?
Oral Propylene Glycol
Corticosteroids
Glucose 40% IV
Vit B12
What is your major Ddx for a hunched, stiff cow with sudden inappetance and milk drop?
Traumatic Reticulitis
Where is the reticulum?
6-8 ICS on LHS
What is a normal number of ruminal/reticular contractions in the cow?
3 in 2 mins (2 1e: 1 2e)
Eructation in 2e
What is the Eric Williams test?
Listen for grunt before 1e rumen contraction
What does the withers pinch test for?
Pain - traumatic reticulitis
What may be seen on haematology in a case of traumatic reticulitis?
Neutrophilia w/left shift
How can traumatic reticulitis cause hyper/hypomotility of the rumen?
Vagus nerve injury form wire
What is the classic appearance of a cow with vagus indigestion?
“10 to 4”
Inappetant
Chaotic contractions
Give 3 Ddx for vagus indigestion.
Abomasal impaction
Omasal impaction
Abomasal ulceration
What is the Tx/Px for vagus indigestion?
Poor - Slaughter!
Can attempt lavage/IVFT/ rumenotomy if necessary.
How is frothy bloat treated?
Drench with surfactant
Exercise.
If emergency: 4-6” incision in L SL fossa.
How is free gas bloat treated?
Stomach tube to relieve.
Trochar in emergency
What are the signs of an LDA in a cow?
reduced milk yield
Ketosis
Selective appetite
0-4w PP
What pay you hear on auscultation of an LDA?
Ping
What recumbency should a cow be rolled from and to if an LDA is diagnosed?
RL to LL
Where should your incision be made for a L>R LDA surgery?
5cm caudal to last rib
What 2 conditions predispose cows to LDA?
Ketosis
Endometritis
RDA causes a dilatation of the abomasum. What are 3 systemic metabolic sequelae of this?
Metabolic Alkalosis
Hypochloraemia
Dehydration
(due to pooling of H+ and Cl- in abomasum)
RDA causes a displacement/torsion of the abomasum. What are 4 systemic metabolic sequelae of this?
Metabolic Acidosis
Mucosal Damage
Endotoxaemia
Severe Dehydration
What is the medical Tx for RDA?
Ca 40%
Metaclopramide
Fluids
What should be given post-operatively for RDA surgery?
Antibiotics IVFT (50-100L) NSAID KCl (PO) Ca 40% Propylene Glycol
A ping in the upper right flank may indicate what Dz?
Caecal Dilatation/Volvulus
How can a mild Caecal Dilatation be treated?
Quality Hay
Supportive care
How can a severe Caecal Dilatation/volvulus be treated?
Surgical Caecotomy
What are the 4 types of abomasal ulcer in the cow?
1: non-perforating, minimal haemorrhage
2. major BV perforation, haemorrhage & Melena
3. Perforating ulcer, acute local peritonitis
4. Perforating ulcer w/diffuse peritonitis
What is different about the location of abomasal ulcers in calves vs cattle?
Cattle: Fundic
Calves: Pyloric
What is the 1st line Tx for abomasal ulceration?
Antacid: MgO 800g/450kg SID
An HCT value of what indicates need for blood transfusion?
<12%
What is shock rate fluids for a cow?
10ml/kg/hr
What can be used medically to aid oesophageal obstruction?
Sedation
Buscopan
Flunixin
How can you provide 1st aid to a cow if you’re unable to relieve an oesophageal obstruction?
Trocharise rumen & feed into rumen until obstruction passes.
