Farm Flashcards
predisposition of simple indigestion
most common in cattle, rare In sheep and goats
cause of simple indigestipn
sudden changes in food or “mistakes” of nutrition
aetiology of simple indigestion
- any dietary factor that can alter the intraruminal environment (spoiled or frozen feed too)
- introducing urea to a ration
- accumulation of excessive quantities of relatively indigestible feed that can impair function
- turning cattle onto a lush cereal grain pasture… etc
signs of simple indigestion
anorexia and moderate drop in milk production, rumen is fully, firm and dough, faeces are normal to firm but reduce and can be soft-watery and foul smelling
diagnosis of simple indigestion
history, often multiple animals affect, hypocalcaemia present, rule out ketosis, rumen fluid analysis: reduced activity and concentration of large and small protozoa
treatment of simple indigestipn
- re-establish normal GI motility, pH and flora: by ruminal transfaunation
- feeding long-stem fibre
- parenteral calcium solution
- evacuate the GI tract
- correct suspected dietary factors
prognosis of simple indigestion
good
acute ruminal lactic acidosis aetiology
most severe form of indigestion, cattle can accidentally gain access to large quantities of grain, improper mixing of TMR (total mixed ration)
cause of grain overload
: sudden change to a diet containing higher levels of finely ground, rapidly fermentable feeds
pathogenesis of grain overload
- within 6 hours of ingestion, easily fermentable and high – sugar + starch concentrate is broken down to VFA, D and L lactic acid
- number of gram-positive bacteria increased amount of lactate rumen falls to <5 destroying protozoa, cellulolytic organisms impairs rumen motility osmotic pressure rise substantially results in movements of excessive quantities of fluid into the rumen causing rise of fluid ruminal contents and dehydration
consequence of acidosis and dehydration
haemoconcentration, cardiovascular collapse, renal failure, muscular weakness, shock, death
pH < 5.5
- low ruminal pH causes chemical rumenitis
- endotoxin and bacteria escape into the portal circulation
- septic emboli, dissemination in the liver, lungs, joints and kidney and laminitis3
signs of grain overload
anorexia, drastically decreased milk production, dehydration, subnormal temperature, elevated heart, elevated respiratory rates, totally static and enlarged rumen, cool skin surface, diarrhoea, or loose manure, weakness, ataxia, recumbency, abdominal pain, laminitis, coma and death
diagnosis of grain overload
history, confirmed by CE, assessment of rumen pH,
- CBC: neutropenia with left shift
- biochemistry: marked azotaemia
- metabolic acidosis
- rumen fluid analysis: sedimentation rate is fast, with a delayed or absent secondary flotation, decreased number of protozoa
treatment with grain overload
slaughter for salvage should be considered, restoration of rumen microenvironment
Mild cases
- rumen lavage with large tubes, application of large volume of warm water (15-20x), emptying the rumen via gravity flow, magnesium hydroxide diluted with water PO, laxative and charcoal IR
Serious cases
- rumenotomy and washed rumen, with water and emptied several times to remove as much lactate as possible
- fresh hay
- ruminal transfaunation, parenteral calcium, flunixin meglumine, procaine penicillin G at least 5 days
- thiamine
prognosis of grain overload
- good – quality hay and no grain should be given during the convalescent period, then introduced gradually, if good appetite returns within 3 days, prognosis = good
- some bacterial endotoxins can escape into circulation causing embolic infection of liver, lungs and other organs, resulting in fever and in some cases, death
cause of SARA
feeding of excessive quantities of concentrate with low level of well-structured fibrous roughage
pathogenesis of SARA
results from continued indigestion of these feeds over a prolonged period rather than sudden exposure without adequate adaption
signs of sARA
reduced or cyclic feed intake, decreased milk production, reduced milk fat, poor BCS, loose faeces
diagnosis of SARA
assessing rumen fluid samples or from telemetric rumen pH boluses sensors
treatment of SARA
no specific treatment, rather secondary conditions may need to be treated and the focus should be on prevention
cause of ruminal alkalosis
prolonged anorexia, poorly digestible roughage, simple indigestion, moudly food, spooield silage- coliform + proteins, high protein diets
pathogenesis of ruminal alkalosis
excessive ammonia, high protein diet ammonia concentration rises decomposition of proteins releases large amounts of ammonia that is absorbed into the blood liver detoxifies it by converting it to urea when the amount of absorbed ammonia is high intoxication occurs
- alkaline ruminal fluid pH occurs most commonly when microbial fermentation is reduced while the animal continues to ingest saliva
signs of ruminal alkalosis
inappetence, anorexia, ruminal hypomotility, recurrent tympany, occasional diarrhoea with odour, weakness, salivation, tachypnoea, polyuria, CNS excitation, muscle tremors, incoordination, abortions
diagnosis of ruminal alkalosis
history, CE, rumen fluid analysis (pH 7.8, blackish green, strong odour and poor protozoal activity)
treatment of ruminal alkalosis
- normalisation of rumen pH via food changes, antihistamines, vitamins, Ca, 5% acetate
- supportive therapies: anticonvulsant therapy (phenobarbital, pentobarbital), IV fluid
- urea poisoning: rapid intervention
prognosis for ruminal alkalosis
prognosis is poor for recumbent animals
define tympayn
over distension of the rumen, resulting in left-sided abdominal distension in both dorsal and ventral quadrants
frothy bloat
- resulting from stable froth of dietary origin (usually higher in chloroplast membrane fragments and soluble protein)
- coalescence of the small gas bubbles is inhibited
- intraluminal pressure Increases because eructation cannot occur
- cattle – grazing legume
free gas bloat
- occur secondary to over ingestion of grain, which promotes excessive VFA production, lower pH and then lactic acidosis with rumen stasis
- in calves with clostridial abomastitis-rumenitis
- oesophageal motility, vagal indigestion, hypocalcaemia, listeriosis, tetanus
- oesophageal obstruction due to foreign body
- stenosis of oesophagus or compression in lymphadenopathy or abscess
signs of tympany
- acute onset, commonly develops in 1st 3 days after on bloat producing pasture
- typically left sided distension extending dorsally to the midline with a full paralumbar fossa
- rectal examination: ruminal distension extending into the right abdomen dorsally and ventrally
diagnosis of tympayn
- frothy bloat is usually obvious clinically – not relieved by a stomach tube
- free-gas bloat is accompanied with signs of causative disorder – confirmed if stomach tube can be passed easily and relieves bloat
treatment of tympany
- relief of the ruminal distention and correction of the primary cause
- decompression with stomach tube
- additional treatment with antifoaming agents: poloxalene, polymerised methyl silicone (3.3$ emulsion, cattle 30-60mL, sheep 7-15mL), vegetable oil alone, mineral oil
- trocarisation for emergency relief: trocar and cannula can be inserted into the rumen through a small incision, if trocar fails then rumenotomy
prevention of tympany
- feeding hay before turning cattle on pasture
- mature pasture are less dangerous than rapidly growing pastures
- continual administration of an antifoaming agent during the risk period
ruminal drinking
Calves – have failure of the reticular groove reflex (milk flows into rumen + is fermented to lactate)
3–8-week-old dairy calves fed with milk mostly by bucket
aetiology of ruminal drinking
milk in reticulorumen is fermented and lactic acid is produced, drop in pH of rumen, absorption of organic acids metabolic acidosis
Chronic rumenitis hyperkeratosis/parakeratosis impairment of ruminal motility chronic and recurrent bloat
cause of ruminal drinking
stress
pathogenesis of ruminal drinking
fails to close milk flow directly into the rumen and is fermented to lactic acid
signs of ruminal drinking
depression, ataxia, weakness, diarrhoea/clay like faeces, dehydration
diagnosis of ruminal drinkin
history, CE, passage of stomach tube may cause reflux of a grey fetid fluid
treatment of ruminal drinking
removal of the contents and lavage with warm water via stomach tube. Flunixin meglumine (NSAIDs) to reduce inflammation from endotoxemia
prevention of ruminal drinkning
feeding small volume of milk from a nipple-bottle. Closure of reticular groove can be triggered by allowing the calf to suck a finger before the milk is offered
predisposition of traumatic reticuloperitonitis
dairy cattle, occasionally in beef, rarely in sheep and goats
cause of traumatic reticuloperitonitis
cattle don’t use lips to discriminate between fibrous feed + metabolic objects
pathogenesis of traumatic reticuloperitonitis
consequence of perforation of the reticulum with ingested foreign objects like nails and pieces of wire
- after ingestion, objects fall directly into the reticulum or pass into the rumen and in 24-48hr are propelled into the reticulum
- by ruminal contractions subsequently carried over the ruminoreticular fold into the cranioventral part of the reticulum
- reticulo-omasal orifice is elevated above the floor, which tends to retain heavy objects in the reticulum
- honeycomb like reticular mucosa traps sharp objects
- contractions of the reticulum promote penetration of the wall by the foreign object
signs of traumatic reticuloperitonitis
Local peritonitis:
- decreased milk production, sudden reticulorumen, atony, anorexia, increased temp, HR + RR, arched back (pain)
Diffuse peritonitis:
- fever, increased HR + RR, total rumen + GI stasis, grunting – diffuse persistent pain
Pleuritis
- depression, increased HR, pyrexia, muffled lung sounds
Pericarditis
- muffled heart sounds, splashing sounds, pericardial friction, jug vein distension
diagnosis of traumatic reticuloperitonitis
History, CE
- CBC
- Biochem: plasma fibrinogen, haptoglobin, amyloid A, total plasma protein
- metabolic alkalosis
- pain tests
- metal detectors, abdominal US and radiography
haptoglobin and amyloid A for inflammatory markers
treatment of traumatic reticuloperitonitis
- conservative medical treatment: oxytetracycline, antibiotics therapy (3-7days)
- symptomatic therapy (oral fluids, ruminotorics, calcium solutions, oral electrolyte)
- rumen transfuantes, magnet, stall rest
- metabolic alkalosis: potassium chloride orally
- surgical treatment: rumenotomy with manual removal of object from reticulum, drainage of reticular abscess into the lumen of reticulum
prevention of traumatic reticuloperitonitis
avoiding the use of bailing wire, keeping cattle away from sites of new construction, apply prophylactic magnets and electromagnetic plates
cause of vagal indigestion
traumatic reticuloperitonitis (anterior/posterior functional stenosis)
pathogenesis of vagal indigestion
Lesions affecting the ventral vagus nerve and its branches (injury, inflammation, or pressure) cause complex clinical signs of indigestion with intermittently or constantly ruminal distension
signs of vagal indigestion
decreased: appetite, milk production and HR but normal temp and RR
- L dorsal + R ventral distension distension = ‘papple’ shape
- fever, salivation, swelling abscess, neoplasia
diagnosis of vagal indigestion
- history of primary disorder, CE
- clinical pathology:
o persistent lymphocytosis lymphosarcoma
o elevated serum globulin may suggest reticular or liver abscess
o metabolic alkalosis - abdominal US
treatment of vagal indigestion (chronic indigestion)
surgery (rumenotomy), emptying the rumen, removing the foreign bodies, lancing abscess into reticulum, supportive therapy
prognosis of vagal indigestion
usually pooe
predisposition of abomasa displacement
during first 6 weeks of lactation, bull and calves at any age, most common in pluriparous cows, in 1st calf heifers, lactating cattle of any age
cause of abomasa dis[lacemetn
multifactorial, excessive production of VFA (increases gas production in abomasum), abomasal hypomotility (hypocalcaemia, ketosis, hypokalaemia, retained placenta, mastitis, metritis, indigestion)
LDA
- partially gas distended abomasum displaced upward along left abdo wall lateral to rumen
- fundus and greater curvature of abomasum primarily displaced
- which passes underneath rumen and retained
- abomasum obstruction is partial mild metabolic alkalosis
RDA
hypomotility, gas production and displacement of partially gas filled abomasum
abomasa volvulus
- serious, life threatening
- rotation of abomasum on mesenteric axis, impairs circulation and causes ischemia
- large quantity of chloride-rich fluid accumulates in abomasum
- moderate-severe dehydration
- it doesn’t follow in all cases of RDA
signs of abomasal displacement
- anorexia, decreased milk production, dull appearance, mild dehydration, TRIAS normal, rumen motility normal, LDA (ping 9-13th rib), RDA (ping 10-13th, dilated caecum, presence of fluid – splashing and tinkling sounds)
- AV: depressed, tachycardia
- if fever and pneumoperitoneum in cow with LDA abomasal perforation
- weakness, toxaemia, ping louder, caudal abomasum palpable rectally
diagnosis of abomsal dispalcemtn
- history: recent parturition, partial anorexia, decreased milk production
- rectal exam
o LDA medially displaced rumen and left kidney
o RDA occasionally palpable
o insert 9cm 18G spinal needle 2 inches below bottom of “ping” and aspirate, if pH < 5 = abomasal fluid - KB in milk and urine
- hypocholermic, hypokalaemia, metabolic alkalosis
- US
- L – lactate concentration: with AV <2mmol/L
treatment of abomasa displacement
- medically: oral laxatives – after eat as much hay as possible to fill rumen with roughage
- ruminotoric, antacids
- cholinergic medications
- supportive therapy: calcium solution, potassium chloride, electrolyte solution
- rolling: only for simple LDA, never for RDA or AV
- surgically: right flank omentopexy, left flank abomasopexy, right paramedian abomasopexy, left paralumbar abomasopexy
prevention of abomasa displacement
- ensuring rapid increase in rumen volume after calving
- maintaining adequate roughage in diet, feeding total mixed ration
- avoid rapid dietary changes and post parturition hypocalcaemia
predisposition of abomasa ulcers
dairy cattle and calves (first 4-6 weeks after parturition), prolonged inappetence, high volumes of milk, NSAIDs
cause of abomasa ulcers
multifactorial, intensive management, highly acidic, high-energy, finely ground diets consisting of concentrates and silage, high milk production, stress
pathogenesis of abomsal ulcers
when the thick layer of mucus that protects abomasum from digestive juice is reduced digestive acids eat away at the tissues that line the abomasum ulcer
classification of abomasa ulcres
- Type 1: is an erosion or ulcer without haemorrhage
- Type 2: is haemorrhagic
- Type 3: is perforated with acute localised peritonitis
- Type 4: is perforated with acute diffuse peritonitis
- Type 5: is perforated with peritonitis within the omental bursa
signs of abomasa ulcers
mild abdominal pain, bruxism, tachycardia, melena, severe haemorrhage (pale MM, cold)
- perforating ulcers (localised peritonitis): anorexia, fever, pain, rumen hypomotility/stasis
- diffuse peritonitis: anorexia, complete stasis, fever, cold skin, dehydration, grunt or groan
- progression to recumbency
diagnosis of abomsal ulcers
- history, CE
- occult blood test of faeces to confirm melena
- PCV can be used to determine degree of haemorrhage
- X-rays, US
- inflammatory exudate and evaluation of peritoneal fluid (confirms peritonitis)
- WBC, serum albumin and TP = low
treatment of abomsal ulcers
- local peritonitis: stall rest, broad spectrum ATB, histamine type 2 blockers IV, PPI
- corticosteroids and NSAID are contraindicated as they may contribute to further ulceration
- bleeding ulcers: blood transfusion and fluid therapy
prognosis of abomsal ulcers
- localised peritonitis: good, takes about 1-2 weeks recovery
- diffuse peritonitis: grave – if they recover, usually have massive abdominal adhesions
prevention of abomasa ulcers
avoid prolonged periods of inappetence and low abomasal pH
abomasa impaction predisposition
pregnant beef cows during winter month, rare in dairy, calves (idiopathic)
cause of abomasa impaction
probably related to abomasal hypomotility or dietary impaction due to ingestion of poorly digestible material
signs of abomasal impaction
complete anorexia, scant faeces, moderate distension of abdomen, weakness, weight loss, decreased milk production, grinding teeth
diagnosis of abomasa Impaction
- Rectal exam: enlargement of the rumen dorsal and ventral sacs
- metabolic alkalosis and haemoconcentration
- objective: during right/left side exploratory laparotomy or rumenotomy
treatment of abomasa impaction
- idiopathic abomasal impaction massage via right flank laparotomy and administration of mineral oil, coffee or magnesium products
- rumenotomy: empty rumen and infuse mineral oil directly into abomasum through orifice, often poor prognosis
- prokinetic agents: erythromycin, bethanechol, lidocaine constant rate
prognosis of abomasa impaction
good if primary disorder or dietary impaction treated early, but often poor
predisposition of Abomasitis, abomasal tympany and abomasal ulceration in calves
beef calves, lamb and dairy calves, more common in bucket fed calves than bottle
cause of Abomasitis, abomasal tympany and abomasal ulceration in calves
clostridium perfingens type A, sarcina, salmonella typhimurium DT104
signs of abomasitis, abomasal tympany and abomasal ulceration in calves
acute abdominal bloat, anorexia, shock, diarrhoea, distension of both sides, gas filled abdomen
abomasitis, abomasal tympany and abomasal ulceration in calves diagnosis
metabolic acidosis, respiratory acidosis
- low serum chloride, azotaemia, elevated PCV
- immature and toxic-appearing neutrophils
- US: fluid + gas may be seen throughout right and left ventral abdomen
- oedematous and thickened wall of abomasum
treatment of abomasitis, abomasal tympany and abomasal ulceration in calves
intensive: colloids, crystalloids, systemic antibiotics
prevention of abomasitis, abomasal tympany and abomasal ulceration in calves
routine disinfection of equipment, feeding milk at body temperature, isolation of affected calves, use of bottle rather than bucket
cause of obstructive diseases of SI
- intussusception of jejunum and ileum
- volvulus of duodenal sigmoid flexure or caecocolic
- luminal occlusion of jejunum (blood clot, mural thickening, extramural mass, herniation)
- atresia coli, recti and ani
- faecal impactions of small intestine
signs of obstructive diseases of SI
acute onset of anorexia and GI stasis, milk production in lactating cows drops suddenly, abdominal distension, colic, absence of manure production
diagnosis of obstructive diseases of SI
- rectal examination: distended loops of bowel may be palpable and intussusception and fibrous bands
- fluid may be heard on simultaneous ballottement and auscultation of right side of abdomen
- US: distended loops of small bowel
- biochemistry: hypokalaemia, hypocholermic, metabolic acidosis
treatment of obstructive diseases of SI
- right sided exploratory laparotomy
- supportive therapy
prognosis of obstructive disease of SI
varies, economically may dictate slaughter
what is fat necrosis
Hard masses in the mesentery and omentum that gradually causes partial or complete extraluminal intestinal obstruction
predisposition of fat necrosis
usually over conditioned middle-aged to old
pathogenesis of fat necrosis
fat necrosis rectal constriction occurs establishing a risk for iatrogenic rectal injury during rectal palpation
signs of fat necrosi
partial anorexia, loose manure, occasional abdominal distension or mild colic
diagnosis of fat necrosis
rectal exam: hard mass around S.I, rectum or colon. US: biopsy or exploratory laparotomy to confirm
treatment of fat necrosis
exploratory laparotomy and surgical removal
prognosis of fat necrosis
bad
predisposition (+ predisposing factors) of caecal dilation and volvulus
dairy cattle, early lactation
: hypocalcaemia, indigestion and endotoxemia
cause of caecal dilation and volvulus
hypocalcaemia, endotoxemia secondary to metritis or mastitis and indigestion
pathogenesis of caecal dilation and volvulus
- In simple caecal dilatation, the caecum distends with gas and fluid and the apex begins to rise in the abdomen from its normal location toward or into the pelvic inlet
- Further distension of the caecum leads to rotation of the caecum (CW direction) as viewed from the right side or a ventral or dorsal retroflexion
signs of caecal dilation and volvulus
inappetence, reduced manure production, mild/moderate abdominal distension, < milk production, colic, dehydration
diagnosis of dilation
- right sided ping by simultaneous percussion and auscultation (paralumbar fossa to 1-3rd rib cranial)
- right paralumbar fossa appears “full”
- rectal: dilated caecum easily palpable in right caudal abdomen, apex of caecum is directed into pelvic inlet
diagnosis of volvulus
- signs more remarkable + metabolic alkalosis
- large ping in R caudal abdo
- rectal = dilation + volvulus, maybe distended ileum
treatment of caecal dilation ad volvulus
- medical: caecal dilatation with stable patients
o laxative ruminotoric (mixed with warm water using a stomach tube)
o transfaunation
o calcium and potassium solution
o diet: avoid highly fermentable feeds
o treatment must continue for 3-7 days - surgical treatment: right flank laparotomy followed by typhlotomy
what is downer cow syndrome
Non-ambulatory cattle recumbent for at least 24 hours without obvious reason
predisposition of downer cow syndrmoe
dairy cows (with previous episodes of milk fever), beef (after prolonged/difficult calving), delay of >4hr in treatment for recumbent milk-fever cows, hypophosphatemia and/or hypokalaemia