FA reproduction/neonatology Flashcards
what are the common perinatal physiological problems?
inactivity/lethargy hypoglycaemia hypothermia acidosis hypoxaemia (all linked)
how fast should a calf reach sternal recumbency?
within 5 minutes
what are some ways of stimulating breathing in a calf?
straw in nose/rub
cold water in ear
acupuncture on philtrum
what is contained in colostrum?
fat protein vitamns/minerals IgG (immune cells) growth factors, cytokines, enzymes
what are the four Qs for colostrum?
quantity
quality
quickly
squeaky clean
what can be used to assess colostrum quality?
refractometer
colostrometer/hydrometer
what do colostrometers measure?
the density of colostrums (high density is better)
how much colostrum should be fed at each feed?
5-10% of bodyweight (2-3L)
when are the first two feeds of colostrum given?
within two hours of birth
6-12 hours of birth
when are calves most at risk of disease?
at weaning
when can frozen colostrum be collected?
first milk only (from low risk Johnes cows)
why may failure of passive transfer occur?
insufficient feeding, IgG production failure, absorption failure
what is failure of passive transfer defined by?
IgG < 1g/L
when can calves be tested for failure of passive transfer?
day 2-7 post calving (bloods)
what are the routes of infection of navel ill?
navel
oro-respiratory
what are possible sequelae of navel ill?
peritonitis
septicaemia
poly arthritis (joint-ill)
how does peritonitis appear on ultrasound of the abdomen?
increased peritoneal fluid
fibrin strands
how can joint ill be treated?
long course antibiotics (2 weeks)
joint lavage
anti-inflammatories
what is the difference between bacteraemia and septicaemia?
bacteraemia - bacteria in blood
septicaemia - bacteria multiplying in blood
what are possible causes of septicaemia in cal es?
E. coli
actinomyces
staphylococcus
salmonella
what aged calves is septicaemia usually seen in?
1-5 days old
what is the prognosis of septicaemia in calves?
very poor (supportive care)
what are two common abnormalities associated with BVD?
cataracts
cerebellar hypoplasia
what is the organism that causes calf diphtheria?
fusobacterium necrophorum
what age calves is abomasa bloat seen in?
1-2 weeks old
what could cause right sided abdominal swelling?
abomasal bloat abdominal catastrophe (torsion, volvulus...)
how can a gaseous rumen bloat be treated?
pass stomach tube
fistula
how can abomasal bloat be treated?
sedate and role onto back
what five agents cause the majority of calf scours?
rotavirus coronavirus crytposporidia E. coli Salmonella
how does rotavirus and coronavirus cause diarrhoea?
damages intestinal lining cause milk malabsorption, fluid and electrolyte loss
how does E. coli cause diarrhoea?
toxins stimulate hypersecretion of water and electrolytes from cells
what is dysentery?
diarrhoea with mucus/blood
what are the host defences against diarrhoea?
passive immunity (colostrum)
healthy gut flora
healthy mucosa
what environmental factors will influence calves developing diarrhoea?
pathogen load (spatial, time)
calving area
hygiene/cleaning
inside/outside
how can feeding cold milk lead to bloating?
won’t trigger oesophageal grove so milk goes into rumen
what vaccinations are available for the dam to protect against the causes of neonatal diarrhoea?
E. coli
rotavirus
coronavirus
what aged calves is coccidiosis usually seen in?
> 21 days
what is used to treat coccidiosis?
sulphonamides
diclazuril
what are the clinical signs of coccidiosis in calves?
dark scour
tenesmus
what aged calves are effected by necrotic enteritis?
2-6 months old
what are the clinical signs of necrotic enteritis?
pyrexia
pale MM
thrombocytopenia
leucopenia
what are the clinical signs of peri-weaning scour syndrome?
pasty scour, poor growth, bloat
what are the pathophysiological effects of diarrhoea?
dehydration/hypovolaemia
metabolic acidosis
hyperkalaemia
hypoglycaemia
what can be used to assess dehydration in a calf?
demeanour
position of globe
skin test
total protein
when may dehydration cause a problem for total protein measuring?
when measuring for failure of passive transfer can give inaccurate results
what are the therapeutic targets of fluid therapy for a diarrheic calf?
correct hypovolaemia correct metabolic acidosis correct hypoglycaemia correct pre-renal failure (save life not stop diarrhoea)
should milk replacer be given with fluid therapy?
yes (but give separately - predispose to bloat)
what are the four major requirements of electrolyte solutions for fluid therapy?
sodium to norm alise ECF volume substance to facilitate absorption of sodium/water from intestines alkalinising agent to correct metabolic acidosis give energy (most in negative energy balance)
what are the advantages of using VFA over bicarbonate in electrolyte solutions?
they facilitate sodium/water absorption
produce energy when metabolised
don’t alkalinise the abomasum
don’t interfere with milk clotting
when calves should IV fluids be used in?
unable to stand
severe acidosis
failure to improve from oral fluids
severely dehydrated (even if standing)
what are examples of volume expanding fluids?
plasma like
sodium chloride
sodium bicarbonate
what is the best alkalinising agent to use in IV fluids?
bicarbonate
should antibacterials be used for calf diarrhoea?
no - most pathogens are viral or protozoal
