Diarrhoea Refresher Flashcards
For a calf less than 6 months old with diarrhoea, what are your top differentials and what ages do they typically appear?
E.Coli = less than 7 days old
Rotavirus and Coronavirus (7 - 21 days)
Cryptosporidium (7-21 days)
Clostridia Perfringens - any age pre-weaning
Salmonella Spp - any age
What are the non-infectious causes of diarrhoea in cattle?
Carbohydrate overload
Poison’s and toxins
Copper deficiency
What are your top differentials for diahorrhea in adult cattle?
Johne’s Disease (MAP)
Winter Dysentry (Coronavirus)
Salmonella Spp.
Sub-Acute Ruminal Acidosis (SARA)
Mycotoxins (Spoiled Silage)
For a lamb less than 4 weeks old, list the causes of diarhroea and state the top 3 most likely differentials
- E.coli (watery mouth)
- Clostridium Perfringens Type B (Lamb Dystentry)
- Cryptosporidium
Other causes:
- Incorrect mixing of milk replacer (nutritional)
- Rotavirus
For a lamb more than 4 weeks old, list the causes of diarhroea and state the top 3 most likely differentials
- Coccidiosis
- Nematodirus Battus
- Parasitic gastroenteritis (PGE)
Other
- Rumen acidosis (creep feeding)
For a lamb sheep, list the causes of diarhroea
Salmonella (see abortions too)
Acidosis (excessive grain intake)
Sudden diet change
Johne’s Disease = less likely to cause scour in sheep!!!!
For pigs less than 4 weeks with diarrhoea , list the top differential and state if there is a vaccine available.
Coccidiosis (Eimeria spp.) = No vaccine
E. coli (Neonatal Scour) = vaccine for sow
Rotavirus = vaccine for sow
Clostridium perfringens (Type A and C Enteritis) = vaccine for sow
PCV-2 & PRRS if sow positive, unstable = vaccine (live so interfere with serology testing)
For pigs greater than 4 weeks old with diarrhoea, what are the differentials?
SWINE DYSENTRY (Brachyspira hyodysenteriae) - No smell
Ileitis (Lawsonia intracellularis)
Salmonella spp. = vaccine: sow and piglets
E. coli = sow vaccine
Brachyspira pilosicoli (Colitis) = mild version of swine dysentery (no blood in faeces)
PCV-2 & PRRS if sow positive, unstable = vaccine (live so interfere with serology testing)
List the differentials for chickens with diarrhoea
Necrotic Enteritis (Clostridium perfringens) = NO vaccine!
Brachyspira spp. = yellow frothy faeces
Salmonella spp.
Coccidiosis (Eimeria spp.)
Infectious Bronchitis resp signs & red droppings
Infectious Bursal Disease (Gumboro)
A 5-day-old calf presents with white pasty diarrhoea and dehydration. What is the most likely cause?
E. coli
When signs would prompt you to give a calf IVFT
IVFT when 8% dehydration or no suckle reflex!
- 5% deficit - skin tent start
- 8% - enophthalmos (sunken eye)
- 10% - recumbent
- 12-15% - dead
Why is E. coli more common in calves less than 7 days old?
ETEC Receptors are only present until 7 days old. Pathogens attach to receptors on SI and produce enterotoxins. It causes hypersecretion in the intestines, leading to rapid fluid loss, and neonates have immature immunity.
What are key supportive treatments for calf diarrhoea caused by Rotavirus?
Fluids and electrolytes (no specific antiviral treatment).
What is the treatment for Cryptosporidium in calves?
Halofuginone and supportive therapy (fluids).
Which protozoal infection causes diarrhoea with tenesmus and weight loss in calves between 3 weeks and 6 months old?
Eimeria (Coccidiosis).
What zoonotic protozoal infection commonly affects calves within 14-21 days of age?
Cryptosporidium.
A 3-day-old intensively reared lamb presents with lethargy, hypersalivation, and a distended abdomen. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Watery mouth (E. coli infection).
Which pathogen causes acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea in pre-weaning calves and can lead to sudden death?
Clostridium perfringens
How can you prevent watery mouth in lambs?
Ensure adequate colostrum intake and good hygiene.
How does Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) affect a herd?
Causes immunosuppression, chronic diarrhoea, and can result in persistently infected (PI) animals (cow infected less than 120 days in calf)
A dairy cow presents with chronic weight loss and persistent diarrhoea. What is the most likely differential?
Johne’s Disease (Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis).
How is Johne’s Disease diagnosed?
Faecal PCR or serology (milk and blood tests).
What bacterial disease causes sudden death and haemorrhagic diarrhoea in lambs <3 weeks old?
Clostridium perfringens Type B (Lamb Dysentery).
What parasitic infection commonly causes severe diarrhoea in lambs from March to July?
Nematodirus battus (spring rise)
How do you diagnose and treat a Nematodirus battus in an outbreak?
Clinical signs and pasture history (not faecal egg count, as larvae cause disease).
Anthelmintics (BZ group = fenbendazole (white drench)
It is Jan-May time and lambs present with diarrhoea. How would your differentials change if the lambs were 8 days old and 10 weeks?
Cryptosporidium = >10 days old
Coccidiosis (Eimeria spp.) = 3 -12 weeks old
A ewe presents with bloat, depression, and diarrhoea following a diet change. What is the most likely diagnosis
Acidosis.
How does Johne’s disease present in sheep?
In sheep, the disease primarily presents as chronic wasting rather than diarrhoea.
A neonatal piglet has yellow pasty diarrhoea and poor growth. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Coccidiosis (Eimeria spp.).
A post-weaning pig has mucoid bloody diarrhoea with no foul smell. What is the likely diagnosis?
Swine dysentery (Brachyspira hyodysenteriae)
Which bacterial disease causes acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea and sudden death in piglets?
Clostridium perfringens Type A and C.
What is the treatment for swine dysentery?
Tiamulin
A piglet presents with watery diarrhoea and dehydration. What bacterial pathogen is a likely cause?
Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC).
What are the key preventive measures for post-weaning diarrhoea in piglets?
Sow vaccination, good hygiene, and controlled weaning stress.
What bacterial disease causes chronic diarrhoea and poor growth in pigs due to inflammation of the ileum?
Ileitis (Lawsonia intracellularis).
A post-weaning pig presents with mild non-bloody diarrhoea and reduced weight gain. What is the likely diagnosis?
Brachyspira pilosicoli (Colitis).
Which bacterial infection in pigs is a public health concern and often subclinical?
Salmonella spp. (e.g., S. Typhimurium, S. Enteritidis).
What is the cause and main clinical sign of Necrotic Enteritis in chickens?
Cause: Clostridium perfringens infection
Main Clinical Sign: Sudden death and diarrhoea
Which bacterial infection in chickens leads to yellow frothy faeces and weight loss?
Cause: Brachyspira spp. infection
Clinical Signs: Chronic diarrhoea, weight loss, and reduced egg production
Why is Salmonella in chickens a public health concern, and how is it diagnosed?
Public Health Concern: Salmonella spp. (e.g., S. Typhimurium, S. Enteritidis) can be asymptomatic in chickens but contaminate eggs and meat, posing a risk to humans.
Diagnosis: Faecal culture and ELISA
What protozoal infection causes bloody diarrhoea in chickens, and how is it prevented?
Cause: Eimeria spp. (Coccidiosis)
Prevention: Coccidiostats in feed, vaccination, and good hygiene
