Final Exam - Critically Ill Calves Flashcards
what are some normal calf behaviors immediately post-parturition?
attempt to rise within 15 minutes
stand within 1 hour
nursing within 2
resist handling, nap frequently, active/curious/playful
what are the normal vital parameters of a calf?
temp: 100-103
HR: 90-140
RR: 16-44
what are some general signs of illness in calves?
ADR, slow to nurse, falling behind, lethargy/depression, diarrhea, respiratory distress, recumbency
what is a dummy calf?
hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy - common in brahman
what happens if a calf fails to nurse?
failure of transfer of passive immunity
what is the best thing to assess hydration status of a calf?
eye position
T/F: a soft grade II/VI left sided basilar heart murmur can be fairly common in calves
true - PDA
why can prior respiratory disease lead to decreased GI motility in ruminants?
vagal nerve in the thorax gets compressed in respiratory disease
what is going on if you see urine dribbling from the umbilicus of a newborn calf?
patent urachus
what conditions are brahman calves predisposed to?
hernias & umbilical artery infection
what are some signs of omphalitis?
heat, swelling, redness, pain, inflammation, pus
assess urachus, umbilical arteries (bladder)/vein (liver)
where do you typically see contracture in calves?
fetlock & carpus - usually large calves, genetics, toxins
where do you typically see hyperextension/laxity in calves?
hocks - brahmans
peroneus tertius rupture - traumatic
what calves may have femoral nerve paralysis?
backward & hiplocked calves
what clinical signs are associated with white muscle disease?
pain, weakness, reluctant to move
what are some causes of limb fractures in calves?
improper use of forces during dystocia, maternal forces, machinery forces
what is a premature calf? what are some signs?
less than 283 days gestation
small, incisiors missing or partially erupted, floppy ears, domed head, silky hair, incomplete ossification, tendon laxity, angular limb deformities
T/F: johnes, salmonella, BVD, if the cow has it, the calf will too
true
what are the management considerations for colostrum in calves?
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
how much milk does a calf need in a day?
10-15% of body weight to survive
20% to do well
when do calves become ruminants?
2 months of age - feed them butyrate for rumen papillae growth & development making sure to provide free choice grain before weaning
T/F: glucose < 80 in calves is bad
true
what are the most common calf problems?
diarrhea, respiratory disease, failure of passive transfer, sepsis, omphalitis
