Cow Flashcards
1
Q
What are the types of restraints used in cattle
A
a)Mechanical – chutes and headgates
b)Chemical – Xylazine (20mg/ml), Detomidine
d) Manual – halters
- tail jacks
- blindfolds
- casting
- flank (belly) cinch
- milking hobbles
2
Q
what questions should you ask for general herd healht of cattle
A
What is the primary complaint?
- How long have these signs been present?
- Have you treated it with anything? With what and for how long?
- Has your therapy shown any success?
- Have animals died? If so, how many and how long ago? Were postmortems performed?
- Is this animal insured?
- Ask about the vaccination history
o When, with what, how, how many animals did you vaccinate, reactions?
3
Q
What are some dairy specific examples for hsitory questions
A
Where is she in her lactation?
o Is there a drop in milk production? A drop in feed intake?
o Are they fed TMR (total mixed ration)?
o How often are they milked?
4
Q
What are soem beef specific cattle questions
A
What is the age of the affected population?
o Has this happened before?
o Have any medications been given?
o How many are affected?
o Have any died? If so how many and when?
o What is your vaccination program?
o Have you made any recent purchases? Or has the animal been transported lately?
o What and how are they fed?
o Do the animals have free-choice access to minerals and salt?
o What kind of water do they drink – well or slough?
o Are they in pasture, feedlot, or corral?
5
Q
What are some specific calf questions for a history
A
o How old is this calf?
o How long has it been sick?
o How many are showing the same signs?
o How many died and when?
o Did this calf receive colostrum, how soon after being born?
o What have you treated it with?
o What is the vaccination history?
6
Q
What should you asses as the cattle is put in the chute
A
General Appearance – Things to access
- General body shape and size, relative to age and breed
- Condition of hair coat
7
Q
How should you asses hte GI system of cattle
A
- Look at the rumen pack – is the fossa distended?
- Auscultate the rumen, the number of contractions should be 1-3/3minutes
- Auscultate over the paralumbar fossa on both sides
8
Q
What might a left sided ping be due to in cattle
A
- atonic rumen
- pneumoperituneum
- left sided displacement of the abomasum (LDA)
- gas cap on the rumen
9
Q
What might a right sided ping be due to in cattle
A
- cecal dilation or torsion
- right-sided displacement of the abomasum (RDA)
- right-sided torsion of the abomasum (RTA)
- intestinal tympany due to paralytic ileum or acute
intestinal obstruction
10
Q
What should you check for in the urinary and repro tract in cattle
A
Check vulva for
- Color of mucous membranes
- Discharges
- Swelling
- Lesions
Check penis for
- Pain
- Swelling
- Adhesions
Check scrotum for
- Symmetry
- Absence of one or both testicles
- Consistency of testes – soft or firm
- Swelling of testicles or scrotum
- State of scrotal skin
- Presence of scrotal hernia
Check mammary glands for - Suspension
- Symmetry
- Size of quarters
- Skin lesions
- Edema or swelling
11
Q
How do you look at a cows oral cavity
A
- Check the lips, gingiva and cheeks for color and any signs of ulceration
- Check the capillary refill time (CRT), this should be <2 secs
- A drinkwater gag should be inserted and then you can look for ulcers, and check the teeth and tongue,
age verification is done by a DVM
12
Q
Where shoudl you collect blood in cattle
A
- Jugular vein and coccygeal vein
- If you need arterial blood, you can try the tail or ear
- In a calf you can try the femoral artery
13
Q
how to collect urine from cattle
A
- Rub below the vulva, they should urinate, if not try again in 15 minutes
14
Q
How to collect rumen content in cow
A
- Collect with a stomach tube, discard the first little bit because oral pH is different than rumen pH
15
Q
How to examine cow milk
A
- Clean gross contamination from udder and teats
- If you are collecting for a milk culture, you must alcohol the teat before collection
- Strip each quarter first and then collect
16
Q
How to do IM injection in cattle
A
- Because cattle are food animals, only the neck should be used, avoiding the prime cuts of beef
- If you must inject large amounts, put 10-15 ml in one site, then redirect your needle and do another
10-15 ml. You may have to inject several sites to do a large amount
17
Q
how do you do a medication bolus in cattle
A
- Using a balling gun
- Boluses, capsules, or magnets may be given
- Insert the balling gun in the interdental space
- Direct instrument over the base of the tongue
- Depress plunger and remove the gun
- Observe to ensure swallowing
18
Q
How do use drenching to adminsiter medication in cows
A
- To give small amounts of liquid
- Insert in the interdental space, give the medication slowly, allowing the animal to swallow
- Mineral oil should never be given by this route as they cannot taste it and will aspirate it
19
Q
How to place a stomach tube in cow
A
- Usually passed thru the oral cavity, with the aid of a Frick speculum
- Can be used to administer fluids or to relieve gas, or to retrieve rumen contents
- measure and pre-mark your tube
- Insert Frick speculum into interdental space and direct over the back of the tongue
- It is imperative to always hold onto the end of the speculum, cattle have been known to swallow it
- Pass the stomach tube thru the speculum, when you get to the back of the throat you will feel resistance, slowly push past this allowing the animal to swallow, and then advance the tube into the
rumen
20
Q
how do you make sure a stomach tube is in the right place
A
- Blow in tube and listen over the rumen for air bubbles
- Smell it
- Sometimes you get rumen content back
21
Q
How to tube a calf
A
- When you are tubing a calf, you must be more careful as calves are less likely to swallow the tube
- Extend the calf’s neck upwards
- Pre-measure your tube from the nose to the stomach and mark it
- Pass the tube, making sure you are feeling the throat latch while passing. You need to feel the
tube pass through your finger, the same applies to an adult cow, you must see it, feel it,
auscultate, and smell rumen contents before administering any fluid. - When done, kink off and remove smoothly
22
Q
What are teh clinical isgns of bloat
A
Bloat in ruminants is an excessive accumulation of gas, which may be free gas (secondary) bloat or
frothy (primary) bloat. Severe bloat can be fatal. Clinical signs include:
- Abdominal distention
- Laboured breathing
- Anorexia
- Decreased or no eructation
- Possible cyanosis
- Possible collapse
- Death
23
Q
How do you treat bloat
A
Passing a stomach tube
- If you do not get free gas, then an antifoaming agent will usually be given
- You may need to trocarize the left side as an emergency measure
24
Q
What is transfaunation
A
- It is performed to collect heathy microflora from a normal cow to give to a cow with a static rumen. It
can be performed by stomach tubing and pumping rumen fluid out or collecting it from a fistulated cow.
It’s only the fluid that is used and it is only viable for 20 minutes.
25
What is a rumen lavage
This procedure is done to empty the rumen in cases of grain overload. A Colorado-Kingman tube is used
with a smaller hose inserted inside. Water is placed in the rumen and then allowed to empty out, taking
the grain with it. Sometimes this can take many irrigations.
26
How should you do hoof care
The exam should begin with a visual of the cow walking, then, adequate restraint is required. This can be
done with the use of:
- Sedation and casting ropes
- Ropes to lift the foot with the cow in a chute
- Foot trimming table (tilt table)
27
Where should you palpate a cows hoof
The following structures should be palpated for heat (do NOT wet or wash the foot), pain or swelling:
- Coronary band
- Interdigital space
- Texture and structure of the hoof wall
- Sole
- Heel
- Soft tissues and tendons above the coronary band
28
What do you need to exam a cows hoof
- Hoof nippers
- Hoof knives – left and right-handed
- Swiss knives
- Rasp
- Hoof testers
- There are various power tools available
29
how does a cows hoof work
here are differences in normal conformation between the front and hind feet and between medial and lateral
claws. In the front feet, the medial claw bears most of the weight and in the hind feet it is the lateral claw that
bears the majority of weight.
30
Where is a cow most likely to be lame
80% of bovine lameness occurs in the foot. 80% of this is in the hind feet. Because the medial claw of the front
and the lateral claw of the hind bear more weight, it is usually these claws that develop the lameness
31
what are the common lameness problems of cows
- Overgrown toe
- Corkscrew claws
- White line disease (abscesses)
- Sole ulcers
- Sole bruises
- Foot rot
- Digital dermatitis (strawberry foot rot, hairy heel wart)
- Laminitis
- Heel erosion (slurry heel)
- Infection of the coffin joint
- Corns (usually in bulls)
- Sandcracks
32
should cattles hooves be trimmed
Beef cattle should never require a foot trim. They keep them trim by walking in the pasture. If there is a
problem, it could be hereditary. Sandcracks occur in about 50% of the population, but don’t usually cause a
problem.
Dairy cattle need to be trimmed on a regular schedule, usually twice a year. They are a highly stressed animal –
they receive high food concentrations, have high milk output, and stand on cement all day. Most dairies have a
significant problem with lameness.
33
What is a claw block in cattle
Used after digit amputation, injury, or sole abscess of one claw, this is put onto the bottom of the healthy claw with technovit to alleviate pressure on the injured claw. This is meant to fall off or wear down after 6 weeks.
34
What is a cow slip
Used the same as a wooden block, digit slides into the slip so not all claws will fit. Easier to apply, is meant to last 6 weeks or be removed.
35
What is a thomas schroeder splint used in cattle for
Used for limb immobilization
- Used commonly for fractures above the hock
- Can be applied with a splint-cast combination
36
What is a sweat bandage used for in cows
Used to decrease inflammation and swelling
- Usually, a combination of Glycerin and ground Epsom salts covered with plastic followed by a
padded bandage
37
What vacciens should newborn calves get
l. Unique individual identification (Ear tag+ CCIA RFID tag) – ALL cattle must be identified with these
regardless of age before transport.
2. Birth date verification (CCIA age verification)
3.Vitamin E/Selenium injection
38
What vaccines should replacement heiferes get
s (at least 3 weeks pre-breeding)
l. IBR/PI3/BVD/BRSV vaccine (Modified live)
2. 7- or 8-way Clostridial vaccine
39
What vacciens should breeding cows get
s (at least 3 weeks pre-breeding)
l. IBR/PI3/BVD/BRSV vaccine (Modified live)
2. Campylobacter fetus (Vibrio) vaccine* ( if using community pastures)
40
What vaccines should calves 1-3 months of age get
1. 7- or 8-way Clostridial vaccine
2. Histophilus somni vaccine*
3. Mannheimia hemolytica vaccine*
4. IBR/PI3/BVD/BRSV vaccine*
5. Castrate bull calves if not done previously
6. Growth implant (Ralgro or Synovex C) for all steer calves (Caution: Do not implant bull calves that may
be used for breeding, heifer calves that may be replacements should probably not be implanted as
well)
41
What vaccine should a weaning calve get
1. 7- or 8-way Clostridial Vaccine
2. IBR/PI3/BVD/BRSV vaccine (Modified live)
3. Histophilus somni vaccine *
4. Mannheimia hemolytica vaccine *
5. Endectocide pou-on
42
What vaccines shoudl u give Replacement Heifers (Pregnancy Examination: Post grazing/breeding season)
1. Initial dose Scours vaccine (E. coli/rotavirus/coronavirus)
2. Endectocide pour-on
43
What vaccine shoudl u give Mature Cows (Pregnancy Examination: Post grazing/breeding season)
1. Endectocide pour-on
44
What vaccines are given precalving
Replacement Heifers (Pre-Calving: Timing is dependent on label claims of vaccines)
1. 2nd dose Scours vaccine (E. coli/rotavirus/coronavirus)
Mature Cows (Pre-Calving: Timing dependent on label claims of vaccines)
1. Scours vaccine (E. coli/rotavirus/coronavirus)
- cows require only single dose if they have previously received two doses as heifers)
45
What are the considerations for vaccination
One of the managements tools a producer can use to reduce and prevent disease is vaccination. Vaccines can be a valuable tool, but much of their effectiveness depends upon proper usage. Producers will be able to use vaccines more effectively if they understand their limitations and incorporate other management procedures to prevent or reduce disease.
Vaccine usage needs to be planned relative to the predicted time of disease challenge, and vaccine limitations including the time following vaccination when a protective immune response is present, considered. For best
responses of vaccines, producers should follow the manufacturer’s directions on the label for vaccine delivery to cattle (e.g., pre-breeding, pre-weaning).
46
EFFECTIVENESS OF VACCINATION DEPENDS UPON:
RISK FACTORS
A) Age
B) Sex
C) Previous exposure or vaccination
D) Management
E) Time/Season
EFFICACY
A) Age
B) Timing
C) Health
D) Disease of interest
E) Vaccine type and quality
F) Individual animal response
47
How can you rehydrate a modified live vaccine
A) The vacuum in the vaccine bottle will easily draw the fluid from the diluent bottle through a transfer needle (sharp on both ends). To avoid sucking air, put one end of the needle into the diluent bottle first, hold the diluent bottle upside down and put the other end of the needle into the freeze-dried bottle.
B) If you are using a syringe and needle to transfer diluent, use a clean syringe to avoid contamination of the entire vial with residual materials in the syringe.
48
How to administer a MLV to cattle
After re-hydration, modified live vaccines are only effective for an hour under perfect conditions. Exposure to sunlight and heat will kill the virus very quickly and render the vaccine ineffective. Alcohol or any disinfectant applied to the needle between animals can kill a modified live vaccine. For this reason, when you use a modified live vaccine, refrain from disinfecting the needle between animals. Change needles every time you refill the syringe if using a 50-cc automatic syringe; otherwise, every 10 to 15 head, or when the needle is dull, bent, burred or dirty. Use syringes that have not been previously cleaned with disinfectant (e.g., Hibitane or Betadine
or soap). Mark your automatic syringes so that syringes used for killed vaccines are not subsequently used for
MLV. You should also use a clean needle for withdrawing vaccine for the vial, as a used needle can contaminate the vaccine.
Proper handling and storage of vaccines will ensure that the vaccine retains optimal efficacy.
49
What needle size should you use for cattle vaccines
Use needles of appropriate size, based on the age of the animal, weight of the animal, the route of
product administration, and the viscosity of the product.
- IM (intramuscular) – 18 or 16g, 1 to 1 1/2”
- SC (subcutaneous) – 18 or 16g, 1/2 to 1”
- No vaccines go IV
50
Where and why do you not give vaccines in certain areas in cattle
NEVER inject in the hip or thigh, regardless of the age of the animal. The top hip is the top butt or sirloin
steak, and the thigh is the round muscle cuts.
Injections into these prime cuts of beef will cause a tissue reaction that leads to scarring, making the
area up to 3 inches away from the injection site tough and not suitable for human consumption. This
tissue scarring persists for the life of the animal; thus, even injections in the hip or thigh of baby calves
will create tough beef and injection scars at slaughter 18 months later. Rib and hip cuts from cows and
bulls do make it into white table meats. Therefore, these injection site techniques hold true for cows and bulls as well - inject only in the neck. If a product label indicates that you can give the vaccine either IM or SC, then give the product SC. Space multiple injections in the neck greater than 3 finger-widths apart so vaccines don't mix or create a pocket of blood, and to minimize potential interference between vaccines. It may be advisable to deliver
killed and modified live vaccines on opposite sides of the neck. Repeat visual inspections to ensure needles are intact. This will reduce the risk of broken needles in beef, a food safety hazard.
51
What to do if a needl ebreaks in a cow
Feel the injection site, you MIGHT find the needle for removal
- If the needle cannot be removed, identify the suspect animal, record animal’s tag number on
processing or treatment records and inform the next buyer on shipment of animal that it may
have a broken needle in its neck (identify the location).
Identify processed and treated animals on your records. Keep processing and treatment records
52
how do you watch for adverse reactions in cattle aafter vaccines
Animals should be observed after vaccination for evidence of adverse reactions. Life-threatening
anaphylactic responses can occur. Cattle should be observed for at least one-hour post-vaccination. Itching,
swelling and redness of the skin may indicate signs of a local adverse response. Adverse responses may not
be limited to the injection area and may be visible around the nose, anus, and vulva.
Severe systemic reactions are those of anaphylactic shock and may include rapid breathing, trembling,
salivation, high fever, anxiety, bloat, diarrhea, and collapse. Treatment with Epinephrine is indicated.
Observe remaining animals previously treated that are not immediately affected. Consult with your
veterinarian for further instructions.
53
How do you report adverse vaccine reactions in cattle
All adverse reactions should be reported to your veterinarian. Ask your veterinarian to forward
information on adverse reactions to the Veterinary Biologics section of the Canadian Food Inspection
Agency (CFIA). The following information is required to report suspected adverse reactions:
- Trade and assigned name of product
- Manufacturer
- Serial or lot number
- Expiration date
o The bottles and boxes of used vaccine will provide this information
- Owner’s name and address
- Name, address, and telephone number of vaccine supplier
- History and symptoms
54
how should you sanatize a syringe for multiuse in cattle
If multiple dose syringes are reused, the following syringe cleaning and care points will help you avoid
injection site infections:
- Clean the external syringe surface with soap, water, and a brush.
- Rinse the inside components of the vaccine syringe, including tubes and connectors with distilled or de-ionized water that is near the boiling point (greater than 180oF). This is
accomplished by repeatedly drawing water that is greater than 180oF into the syringe and squirting it out. Three to five rinses should be adequate. Remove as much water from inside the syringe as can be squirted out and let the syringe cool before using. Heat kills modified live vaccine products. You should not use a soap or disinfectant on internal components. Soap or disinfectant residues may kill MLV vaccines.
- Store the vaccine syringe in a dust-free, dry (low humidity) environment. It is best if the newly cleaned vaccine syringe is stored in a new zip-lock bag and placed in the freezer.
- Vaccine transfer needles should be boiled in water and allowed to cool before using. Transfer needles should be stored in a new zip-lock bag in the freezer.
55
What drugs are used for local blosk in cows
- Lidocaine – onset is 5 mins, duration 1-2 hours
- Mepivicaine (carbocaine) – onset immediately, lasts 1.5-3 hours
- Bupivicaine (Marcaine) – onset is 20 mins, lasts up to 8 hours
- Opthaine (alcaine) – ophthalmic solution, lasts 15-30 minutes
56
What blocks are common in cattle
1. Auricuolopalpebral – for eye procedures
2. Corneal – blocks the horn
3. Four point – only used for eye enucleation
4. Line block – to block for a specific surgery site
5. Inverted L – for flank laparotomies
54
6. Paravertebral – for flank laparotomies, blocks T13, L1, L2
7. Epidural – blocks the tail, perineum, vulva, and mid-thigh. Can use lidocaine for analgesia, or
xylazine for analgesia plus sedation.
55
8. Intravenous – use on limbs, a tourniquet must be placed above to keep the drug in the leg. A
tourniquet should only be kept on for 30 minutes.
9. Ring block – use on a teat, or around horns.
10. Regional blocks – used to block nerves for lameness exams
11. Intra-articular – used to block joints to aid in lameness exams
57
How do you do a paravertebral block in cow
- Clip the cow from T12 back to L5
- Do a surgical scrub
- Palpate L3
- Insert needle perpendicular halfway between the end of vertebra and mid-spine, we use a
16-gauge x 4.5-inch needle
- Advance needle down another 1 cm
- Attach syringe and then draw back on syringe, if there are minimal air bubbles, inject 15 mls
of Lidocaine
- If you aspirate air, pull needle back until there is minimal air
- If you aspirate blood, push your needle down farther, then aspirate again
- Slowly start to pull your needle out, and inject the last 5 mls as you withdraw
- Repeat the procedure on L2 and L1
- You can tell if your block is working by palpating the paralumbar fossa for heat, the cow will
also walk with a curve to her spine, the incision site should be tested with a needle for
sensation as well
- Ensure you are standing in a safe position while performing these blocks!
58
How to do a epidural in cattle
- Palpate for the last moveable vertebrae
- Clip and do a surgical scrub
- Use 3 mls of lidocaine without epinephrine
- Put on sterile gloves
- Have a helper pump the tail so that you can palpate the space
- Insert needle through the skin at about a 45-degree angle
- Fill the top of the needle with lidocaine (hanging drop method)
- Insert the needle slowly until the lidocaine is sucked in (sometimes you can hear it)
- Attach syringe and inject, DO NOT DRAW BACK – there should be ABSOLUTELY no resistance
- You will now it is working when the animal loses tail tone
- If the epidural has to be repeated, the hanging drop method will not work a second time,
the vacuum will be lost, and you will have to judge if you are in by the lack of resistance
while injecting.
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