Farm animal dermatology Flashcards
Dermatological disease, Teat surgery
What would you differential diagnoses be if presented with a group of cows showing the following clinical signs?
- All affected animals are pyrexic
- Recumbent heifers dyspnoeic, swollen muzzles and nostrils, seroud oronasal discharge
- Marked skin tent
- Generalised erythema and alopecaiaon white haired areas
- Ingestion of toxins
- Bluetongue
- Vasculitis
- Foot and mouth disease
Describe the appearance of photosensitisation in cows
- Can be primary or secondary
- Erythema on white areas
- Tachycardia
- Dyspnoea
- Oculonasal discharge
- Secondary: icterus, depression, other behavioural changes
What can cause photosensitisation in cows?
Ingestion of toxins, anything affecting liver function preventing ability to excrete harmful compounds
Describe the mechanisms of action of ragwort toxicity
- Toxin is pyrrolizidine alkaloid
- Converted to toxic intermediates pyrroles and their esters
- Cause damage to hepatocytes
Explain the pathogenesis of photosensitisation skin lesions due to ingestion of toxic compounds causing liver damage
- Liver non-functional so toxic compounds build up in blood
- Reach skin, react with sunlight leading to photosensitisation
What diagnostic tests should be carried out if are suspicious of photosensitisation as a consequence of liver damage?
- Blood sample to assess liver function (serum biochem for liver enzymes)
- Ultrasonography
- Biopsy of liver
Compare the bilirubin and bile acid concentrations in primary photosensitisation vs ragwort poisoning
- Would be normal in primary photosensitisation
- Elevated in ragwort poisoning
What features may be identified on liver biopsy in the case of ragwort poisoning?
Megalocytosis, biliohyperplasia and fibrosis
Outline a treatment plan for cattle suffering ragwort toxicity
- No corrective treatment for liver damage
- Supportive treatment
- Small frequent meals 6x/day
- Oral or parenteral B vitamins
- Fluids
- Euthanasia
What dietary management is appropriate in secondary photosensitisation?
- Low protein, high energy diet
- Rich in branched chain amino acids
If all liver values are normal in a ruminant with photosensitisation, what does this indicate?
That this is primary photosensitisation and no evidence of liver damage
Outline the potential causative agents of primary photosensitisation in cattle
- Diet
- Inherited defect in animal’s metabolism of red blood cells
- Ingestion of lush green plants containing photodynamic compounds e.g. St, John’s wort, clover
What is the prognosis for a cow with primary photosensitisation as a consequence of St John’s Wort ingestion?
Can recover, but if caught too late can be fatal
Give the methods of restraint that can be used for cow in order to examine the udder
- Lifting back leg
- Tail jack
- Tie back leg
- Kickbar (usually ineffective)
- Crush/WOPA box/parlour
List the methods for providing anaesthesia to a teat in cows
- Teat cistern infusion
- Ring-block
- Paravertebral nerve block
- Lumbosacral epidural
- Line block
- Topical (splash) application
Describe the method for a teat cistern infusion and state what is anaesthetised by this method
- 5-10ml of local anaesthetic via teat canal into teat cistern
- Blocks mucosal layer of teat but NOT connective tissue or muscle
Describe the method for a ring block to anaesthetise a cow’s teat and state which structures are anaesthetised by this method
- Inject local anaesthetic in a ring pattern around the base of the teat, full thickness
- Blocks mucosa and connective tissue
Why would you want to avoid using procaine for tea surgery?
Procaine always comes with adrenaline in the UK and and to avoid the vasoconstrictive effect this would have as this could present a risk for necrosis of the teat
What is blocked by a paraveertebral nerve block?
Cranial udder and teats (used for standing surgery)
What is blocked by a lumbosacral epidural and how must surgery using this technique be performed?
- Anaesthesia of caudal abdominal wall up to level of umbilicus, with temporary dysfunction of the hindlimbs
- Need sedation and lateral recumbency for surgery
Describe the method for a line block for teat surgery and outline the key risks
- Give multiple subcut infiltrative injections of local anaesthetic 0.5-cm apart at wound edge to required depth
- Risk of oedema and haemorrhage delaying wound healing, but technique is quick and easy
Describe the method and main advantage of a topical (splash) application of local anaesthetic for teat surgery
- Drip or splash LA onto surgical wound and allow ~20mins contact time for it to take effect
- Can be used before infiltrative anaesthesia in fractious animals
Discuss the use of bandages in teat repair
- Applied to keep teat clean
- Rarely used
- May want to use after surgical repair
What is the main indication for use of staples in teat repair? Advantages and disadvantages
- Superficial wounds only
- If laceration is affecting teat canal may end up with fistulas
- But are quick and cheap
What is the main indication for the use of self-retaining cannulas/milk catheters?
To allow drainage of milk from a teat where milking is not possible e.g. due to full thickness perforated lesion. Milk drips out slowly