Exam 2: Bovine Digestive Problems Flashcards by Preeti Gulve

This pain response test, called the withers depression test,

is also known as the _______ test.

If the cow does not move away from pressure exerted,

they are painful deep in abdomen and may have an

expiratory grunt

SCOOTCH

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_______ in feces is indicative of inflammation/infection,

and seen in diseases such as Salmonella and BVD

Fibrin

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In regards to pH:

The rumen is normally _______.

Fiber diets have _________ pH and

grain/starch diets have __________ pH

The rumen is normally acidic

Fiber diets have higher (basic) pH and

grain/starch diets have lower (acidic) pH

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Which of the following can be involved in primary indigestion:

Rumen

Reticulum

Omasum

Abomasum

Rumen

Reticulum

Omasum

NOT ABOMASUM

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Which of the following can be involved in secondary indigestion:

Rumen

Reticulum

Omasum

Abomasum

Abomasum!

(along with liver, pharynx, systemic dz, high fever, mastitis, foot rot)

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In regards to normal forestomach physiology:

Contraction starts in the ________, the dorsal sac first, then the ventral sac.

Reticulum

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In regards to normal forestomach physiology:

The primary cycle is responsible for _________

and

The secondary cycle is responsible for _________

primary = MIXING

secondary = ERUCTATION

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BLOAT is defined as distension of the ________ with gas,

and is due to a failure in ________

BLOAT is defined as distension of the rumen with gas,

and is due to a failure in eructation

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Microbial fermentation results in these two gases to

be formed in the rumen

methane

carbon dioxide

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T/F:

Bloat is due to excess gas production from overactivity of microbes in the rumen

FALSE!

Bloat is due to failure of the ERUCTATION process

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Cows fed clover, alfalfa, and soybean,

can have legume pasture bloat,

which is also known as this type of bloat,

where gas is trapped in bubbles and cannot be eructated

FROTHY bloat

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The 3 causes of bloat:

Failure of the ________ to relax

Obstruction of the _________ or ________

Failure of the ________ muscle contraction

The 3 causes of bloat:

Failure of the cardia to relax

Obstruction of the esophagus or cardia

Failure of the reticulo-ruminal muscle contraction

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How is bloat diagnosed?

Passing a stomach tube to

determine if obstruction, frothy bloat, or free gas bloat

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This is the emergency treatment for bloat in ruminants

where a hole is created in the rumen to release the pressure.

Before removing, it is important to instill

___________ to reduce the risk of peritonitis

Trocharization

Procaine-Penicillin

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For acute bloat or frothy bloat, foam destabilizers can be administered.

Therabloat, also known as _______,

is a surfactant specifically designed for treating bloat.

It destabilizes the foam to the free form so the animal can eructate

POLOXALENE

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Ruminal hypomotility or stasis results from

absence of ______ input from gastric centers

vagal

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What do you expect to see on bloodwork

of an animal with traumatic reticuloperitonitis?

Neutrophilic leukocytosis with a left shift (between 12,000 and 20,000)

Immature WBCs seen in peripheral blood

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An animal presents with fever and is depressed.

You hear an expiratory grunt and an arched back stance with abducted elbows.

In addition, you hear muffled heart sounds and see distended jugular veins.

What is your primary ddx?

Traumatic reticuloperitonitis from a sharp foreign body

that has resulted in pericarditis due to penetration of the heart

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In order to prevent hardware disease, a heavy magnet can be given

prophylactically, and is dropped into the reticulum

in heifers ________ years old

1.5 - 2 years old

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Anterior functional stenosis results in ________ transport failure,

but ingesta will NOT reflux back into the rumen in this case

omasal

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Posterior functional stenosis results in a failure of the

_________ to empty into the pylorus.

This is characterized by ingesta refluxing back into the rumen

abomasums

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What is the normal level of chloride in a cow?

99 - 110

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In regards to vagal indigestion,

how is anterior and posterior functional stenosis differentiated?

In posterior functional stenosis, the cow refluxes fluid from

abomasum back into the rumen, resulting in sequestration of chloride.

You will see HYPOchloremia on bloodwork which differentiates the two.

The lower it gets, the worse the prognosis.

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What is the pH of normal RUMEN fluid?

slightly ACIDIC

roughage diet = 6.0 - 7.0

grain diet = 5.5 - 6.5

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What is the chloride concentration in normal RUMEN fluid?

\<30 mEq/liter

What microbes are found in normal RUMEN fluid?

Bacteria (mostly anaerobes) and Protozoa

Acute ruminal acidosis is the most severe form of _______ indigestion, due to excess amounts of carbohydrates

fermentative

If an animal survives Acute Ruminal Acidosis, what problems may you see as a sequela to this?

Mycotic rumenitis Liver abscesses Polioencephalomalacia (due to thiamine-producing bacteria dying off) Laminitis

You're called out to a farm and several cows are completely anorectic and markedly depressed. They are dehydrated and abdominal distension is evident. Upon auscultation, you note rumen atony. A couple of cows have begun to have diarrhea. History from the farmer reveals an increase in grain to their diet just yesterday. What is your primary ddx?

Acute Ruminal Acidosis

You're called out to a farm and several cows are anorectic, depressed, dehydrated, with abdominal distension and diarrhea. You diagnose them with Acute Ruminal Acidosis. How do you treat these cows?

**Alkalinizing agents**: Bicarb, Magnesium carbonate **Antibiotics**: Penicillin (kill strep and lactobacillus) **Fluids** **Antihistamines** and **Flunixin** (counteract endotoxin) **Thiamine** (prevent polioencephalomalacia) **Rumen Transfaunation**

Chronic Rumen Acidosis aka Sub-Acute Ruminal Acidosis occurs mainly in ______ cows, and is the basis of many ______ diseases in these cows

Chronic Rumen Acidosis aka Sub-Acute Ruminal Acidosis occurs mainly in **_dairy_** cows, and is the basis of many **_hoof_** diseases in these cows specifically LAMINITIS

What are some conditions seen in dairy cows due to Chronic Rumen Acidosis aka Sub-Acute Ruminal Acidosis?

LOW milk butterfat test Chronic laminitis Chronic indigestion

How is Chronic Rumen Acidosis aka Sub-Acute Ruminal Acidosis prevented/treated in dairy cows?

The ration should include MORE fiber and roughage with adequate PARTICLE SIZE, and buffer the ration with Sodium Bicarb

Treating abnormal ruminal pH: What is given to an animal with ruminal pH \< 5.5?

Alkalinizing Agents: Magnesium hydroxide and Magnesium carbonate

Treating abnormal ruminal pH: What is given to an animal with ruminal pH \> 7.5?

Acidifying Agents: Vinegar and Acetic Acid

The proper term for "over-eating disease" characterized by sudden death in feedlot cattle

ENTEROtoxemia

What is the infectious agent that causes Over-eating disease (aka enterotoxemia), an acute infectious but NOT contagious disease characterized by sudden death in feedlot cattle?

Clostridium perfringens Type A, C, or D

In regards to Enterotoxemia: Which type of clostridium perfringens is associated with **GI hemorrhage** in cattle? It causes acute onset, painful distended abdomen, may see blood clots in rectum and is seen in 2nd lactation or greater cows \<100 days in milk?

Type A clostridium perfringens

In regards to Enterotoxemia: Which type of clostridium perfringens is associated with **hemorrhagic enteritis in CALVES** very soon after birth (even 10 to 20 mins afterbirth) due to ingestion of organisms in colostrum

Type C clostridium perfringens

In regards to Enterotoxemia: Which type of clostridium perfringens is associated with **mucoid and catarrhal enteritis in feedlot cattle**, with mortality near 100% and signs of convulsions, paralysis of *posterior limbs*, and colic signs?

Type D clostridium perfringens

How is enterotoxemia due to clostridium perfringens prevented?

ANTIBIOTICS in feed Rumen buffers Avoid overfilling on concentrates Gradually getting cattle on feed Vaccination

What clinical signs are associated with PERITONITIS in cows?

**ROACHED BACK** stance- arched back, pain Bruxism- teeth grinding **Expiratory grunt** Rectal exam reveals ADHESIONS or **STOVEPIPE RECTUM** Shock, fever, pain, bloated appearance

On rectal exam, **chronic peritonitis** may reveal adhesions, or **"Stovepipe Rectum".** Crepitation is felt on palpation. \_\_\_\_\_\_ adhesions signify a new event, up to 2 weeks old, while \_\_\_\_ adhesions signify an older event, and **won't break down with rectal exam**

On rectal exam, **chronic peritonitis** may reveal adhesions, or "Stovepipe Rectum". Crepitation is felt on palpation. **_Fibrinous_** adhesions signify a new event, up to 2 weeks old, while **_Fibrous_** adhesions signify an older event, and **won't break down with rectal exam**

Left Abomasal Displacement is a disease with a multifactorial etiology. What are the causes?

**Genetic factors** **Physical factors** (lack of exercise, stomach displacement due to pregnancy, reclining on the right side) **Nutrition** (small particle size) **Atony of the ABOMASUM** (secondary to another disease or diet with too much VFAs)

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Displaced Abomasum is primary seen in female dairy cows and is VERY RARE to see in beef cows

LEFT displaced abomasum (LDA)

LEFT displaced abomasum (LDA) is usually diagnosed within _____ weeks post-partum in lactating cows (4 - 6 years old most common). If they are kept in stalls in the dry period, condition is also more likely

6 weeks

A 5 year old holstein heifer that calved about a month and a half ago, has a selective appetite for roughage and won't eat grain. She has decreased milk production. Auscultation of the left flank reveals a "tinkling" sound, and a ping that sounds like flicking a basketball is heard. Bloodwork shows hypochloremia and a metabolic alkalosis. What is your primary ddx?

LEFT displaced abomasum

How is LEFT Displaced Abomasum treated conservatively?

ROLLING the cow * Put cow down on RIGHT side, roll into dorsal recumbency, roll onto left,* * let her stand when ready. Fill rumen with warm water and give* * smooth muscle stimulants afterwards*

A bull presents very ill with sudden onset of distended abdomen, high fever, and is not passing feces. He is not eating grain OR roughage, and bloodwork reveals HYPOchloremia and metabolic alkalosis. What is your primary ddx?

**RIGHT displaced abomasum** (omasum or reticulum may also be affected) Prognosis poor with anion gap \> 30 mEq/L

This condition has a high rate of occurrence in veal calves, and may be a sequela to GI disease like BVD or LSA. Anemia and poor thrift result, and peritonitis might be seen. Melena is the primary clinical sign seen.

Abomasal ulcers- large bleeding type

How are abomasal ulcers treated?

Antibiotics and GI protectants

What type of drugs are **contraindicated** in treatment of **abomasal ulcers**?

ANTIPROSTAGLANDIN drugs

What is the most likely cause of **abomasal impaction** in **beef** cattle?

ingestion of poor quality roughages in large amounts

What is the most likely cause of **abomasal impaction** in **CALVES**?

Hair balls from grooming that block the pylorus

What is the most likely cause of abomasal impaction in ALL cattle?

sand or foreign bodies, like TWINE aka PICA *eat sand when craving roughages*

A cow presents with a peculiar stretching stance (trestle-table stance). She has reduced fecal output and has a slightly increased heart rate. She is hypothermic and depressed, and bloodwork shows HYPOchloremia. What is your primary ddx?

Intestinal obstructions (trestle-table stance in order to take weight off the abomasum)

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ prolapse is seen in sheep when the tail is docked too proximally

Rectal prolapse

Rectal prolapse is usually a sequelae to \_\_\_\_\_\_\_

tenesmus

What are some toxins associated with rectal prolapse?

Lead Zinc Estrogen

How is rectal prolapse treated?

SUGAR (draw out fluid and edema) + PURSE STRING SUTURE

How is salmonellosis transmitted?

Fecal-oral route

T/F: The majority of cases of salmonellosis are subclinical in cattle

TRUE

Septicemic animals with salmonellosis shed in which secretions/fluids?

Oral/nasal secretions Urine Feces Aerosol

salmonella is killed by exposure to ________ in normally functioning rumens

VFAs

Which type of salmonella is responsible for significant zoonotic disease, like in kids playing with turtles for example?

*Salmonella **typhimurium***

What are the 5 iceberg diseases we talked about in class?

Anaplasmosis Johne's Disease Bovine Leukosis Salmonella Mastitis

What is the etiology of Winter Dysentery?

*Coronavirus*

In January, you're called to a farm because all of a sudden, an entire dairy herd presents with severely depressed milk production. Some of the cows have watery brown, fetid diarrhea with flecks of blood, but there is no fever, and they have a good appetite. What is your primary ddx and how do you treat?

Winter Dystery (Coronavirus) Intestinal astringents- Oral TANNIC ACID, COPPER SULFATE

This parasite is found in the *abomasum* of grazing/pasture cattle and can result in BOTTLE JAW, ill thrift, diarrhea, and a poor hair coat.

Ostertagia

The plasma level of ________ is elevated in cases of Ostertagia in the abomasum

Elevated plasma PEPSINOGEN

You're called out to an old farm. Cattle are showing signs of HEMORRHAGIC DIARRHEA, and some have CNS signs. A couple cows have died, but the suckling calves are completely unaffected. What is your primary ddx?

Arsenic toxicosis (Lead arsenic binds to milk- suckling calves unaffected)

What is the number 1 cause of diarrhea in neonates?

E. coli

What is the #1 risk factor for development of neonatal diarrhea complex?

Colostrum deficiency (poor quality or inadequate volume)

A 3 day old calf presents with diarrhea with fresh red blood and is straining. All signs point to Coccidiosis (Eimeria), but fecal smear is coccidia negative. What is the cause of the diarrhea in this neonate?

Cryptosporidia (no treatment)

T/F: Cryptosporidia is zoonotic

TRUE

At LEAST _______ mg/dL of immunoglobulin in colostrum is considered adequate

1,000 mg/dL

What device is used to tell you how much immunoglobulin is in colostrum?

Colostrometer

Acute death from E.coli in calves is due to

dehydration

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ contaminated feed and water resulting in septicemic invasion results in low-grade diarrhea mostly in young calves **under 4 days old**

E. coli

This agent of neonatal diarrhea complex, is usually seen in calves **less than 2 weeks old.** Death can come so quickly that clinical signs are never noted. Calves on a HIGH PLANE OF NUTRITION (the ones that are doing the best), are the ones that get sick from this.

Clostridium perfringens Type B and C enterotoxemia

This viral agent of neonatal diarrhea complex is isolated in feces from *both healthy and sick calves.* Usually affects calves that are **a few days old.** Calves recover but are predisposed to other infections that kill due to intestinal damage caused by this agent.

ROTAVIRUS

This agent of neonatal diarrhea complex is usually seen in calves **3 weeks and older**. It can be spread on the farm by CATS and DOGS, and just 1,000 oocysts can result in the destruction of 24 billion intestinal cells.

Coccidiosis

This agent of neonatal diarrhea complex is usually detected at **10 to 12 days of age**, but affects calves less than **3 days old**. It is ZOONOTIC, and the only treatment is fluids and electrolytes.

Cryptosporidia

In the pathogenesis of neonatal diarrhea complex: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ cause hypersecretion by crypt cell epithelium

Enterotoxins

In the pathogenesis of neonatal diarrhea complex: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ due to viral damage leads to malabsorption

Villous atrophy

How is neonatal diarrhea complex treated?

ISOLATION of calf Withhold milk for at least 24 HOURS and feed glucose/electrolyte solution instead Plasma/Immunoglobulins Aspirin/Flunixin (block endotoxin) Bismuth/Kaopectate (coat GIT)

Why do you withhold milk for at least 24 HOURS and feed glucose/electrolyte solution instead, rather than feeding milk and solution together in neonatal diarrhea cases?

Electrolytes interfere with CURD FORMATION IN THE ABOMASUM if given at the same time

T/F: If giving oxytocin to let down milk, there will not be enough immunoglobulins in the milk to confer adequate passive transfer to the calf

TRUE

Colostrum absorption is best during the first \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ hours of birth. After _______ hours, colostrum is not absorbed any longer

Colostrum absorption is best during the first **_8_** hours of birth. After **_24_** hours, colostrum is not absorbed any longer

What blood test is used to test calves for IgG transfer levels?

Midland Quick Test

You test a calf's blood with a Midland quick test for IgG transfer level. You see ONE LINE at the "C" position. What does this mean?

That IgG levels are \> 10 mg/mL and adequate transfer has occured

What 7 diseases can be transferred through colostrum?

Johne's Dz Salmonella BVD Infectious Mastitis Bovine Leukosis Mycoplasma Leptospirosis

What is the 4x4x4 Rule?

Feed: 4 QUARTS of colostrum to calf within 4 HOURS of life and within 4 HOURS of parturition

Bovine liver flukes predispose cows to which other diseases?

Bacillary hemoglobinuria via Clostridium hemolytica

How do you treat for liver flukes in cattle?

Clorsulon Albendazole

The highest incidence of this disease occurs in fluke infested cattle

Bacillary hemoglobinuria

What agent causes bacillary hemoglobinuria?

Clostridium HEMOLYTICA TYPE D

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ necrosis is seen post-mortem in animals with bacillary hemoglobinuria. Surviving animals may show PORT WINE COLORED URINE

Liver

What is the agent of black leg in cattle?

Clostridium novyi | (associated with immature liver flukes)

What are the 2 causative agents of liver ABSCESSES in cattle?

Fusobacterium Corynebacterium

Fusobacterium is an organism that causes small abscesses (white spots) throughout the liver in cattle. Clinical signs include rumenitis from rumen acidosis, weight loss, and decreased milk production. This bacteria is also the cause of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, so the vaccine for this helps prevent the liver abscesses.

FOOT ROT