Final Exam - Critically Ill Calves

Question 1

what are some normal calf behaviors immediately post-parturition?

Answer 1

attempt to rise within 15 minutes

stand within 1 hour

nursing within 2

resist handling, nap frequently, active/curious/playful

Question 2

what are the normal vital parameters of a calf?

Answer 2

temp: 100-103

HR: 90-140

RR: 16-44

Question 3

what are some general signs of illness in calves?

Answer 3

ADR, slow to nurse, falling behind, lethargy/depression, diarrhea, respiratory distress, recumbency

Question 4

what is a dummy calf?

Answer 4

hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy - common in brahman

Question 5

what happens if a calf fails to nurse?

Answer 5

failure of transfer of passive immunity

Question 6

what is the best thing to assess hydration status of a calf?

Answer 6

eye position

Question 7

T/F: a soft grade II/VI left sided basilar heart murmur can be fairly common in calves

Answer 7

true - PDA

Question 8

why can prior respiratory disease lead to decreased GI motility in ruminants?

Answer 8

vagal nerve in the thorax gets compressed in respiratory disease

Question 9

what is going on if you see urine dribbling from the umbilicus of a newborn calf?

Answer 9

patent urachus

Question 10

what conditions are brahman calves predisposed to?

Answer 10

hernias & umbilical artery infection

Question 11

what are some signs of omphalitis?

Answer 11

heat, swelling, redness, pain, inflammation, pus

assess urachus, umbilical arteries (bladder)/vein (liver)

Question 12

where do you typically see contracture in calves?

Answer 12

fetlock & carpus - usually large calves, genetics, toxins

Question 13

where do you typically see hyperextension/laxity in calves?

Answer 13

hocks - brahmans

peroneus tertius rupture - traumatic

Question 14

what calves may have femoral nerve paralysis?

Answer 14

backward & hiplocked calves

Question 15

what clinical signs are associated with white muscle disease?

Answer 15

pain, weakness, reluctant to move

Question 16

what are some causes of limb fractures in calves?

Answer 16

improper use of forces during dystocia, maternal forces, machinery forces

Question 17

what is a premature calf? what are some signs?

Answer 17

less than 283 days gestation

small, incisiors missing or partially erupted, floppy ears, domed head, silky hair, incomplete ossification, tendon laxity, angular limb deformities

Question 18

T/F: johnes, salmonella, BVD, if the cow has it, the calf will too

Answer 18

true

Question 19

what are the management considerations for colostrum in calves?

Answer 19

150g of IgG - give 7.5-10% of body weight in dairy calves (3-4 L)

5% of body weight to beef calves

within 12 hours

aim for > 5.2 g/dl serum total protein

Question 20

how much milk does a calf need in a day?

Answer 20

10-15% of body weight to survive

20% to do well

Question 21

when do calves become ruminants?

Answer 21

2 months of age - feed them butyrate for rumen papillae growth & development making sure to provide free choice grain before weaning

Question 22

T/F: glucose < 80 in calves is bad

Answer 22

true

Question 23

what are the most common calf problems?

Answer 23

diarrhea, respiratory disease, failure of passive transfer, sepsis, omphalitis