Gastrointestinal Flashcards
Infectious causes of diarrhoea in cows
Salmonella
Eimeria spp.
Rotavirus
Coronavirus
Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis
Cryptosporidium parvum
E. coli
Bovine viral diarrhoea cirus
Rinderpest
Clostridium spp.
Nematodes
Yersinia
Malignant catarrhal fever
Secondary to septicaemia
Non-infectious causes of diarrhoea in cattle
Nutritional
Poisonous substances
Mycotoxins
Acidosis
Copper deficiency/toxicity
Cobalt +/- selenium deficiency
Secondary to peritonitis
Pathogens that commonly cause scour outbreaks in cattle
Salmonella
Acidosis (population level)
Coronovirus (winter dysentry)
Mycotoxins (spoiled feed)
What is always a differential in scour?
Salmonella
What age are cattle affected by Eimeria spp.?
Pre-weaning from a few weeks old/post weaning
What pathogen can affect calves at any age pre-weaning?
Clostridium
Causes of scour in pre-weaning calves <14d of age
Rotavirus
E. coli
Coronavirus
Cryptosporidium parvum
Causes of scour in adult housed cattle
Winter dysentery (coronavirus)
MAP (Johne’s)
Differentials for scour in house cattle of any age
Salmonella (reportable)
Rinderpest (notifiable)
BVD
What causes death (+/- severe diarrhoea) and haemorrhagic, gas filled small intestines on post mortem in the pre-weaned calf?
Clostridium
Diagnosis of Eimeria
McMasters
Prevention of Eimeria
Oral drench (Diclazuril, Toltrazuril)
Decoquinate in feed
Hygiene (bedding management, stocking densities, group management)
What can cause proliferation of Clostridium perfringens?
Sudden diet change
Presentation of winter dysentery (coronovirus)
Short lived explosive D+
Highly contagious
Predominantly in winter
Cattle in close confinement
Clinical disease caused by Salmonella
Septicaemia (especially calves)
Enteritis
Abortion
Sources of Salmonella infection
Brought in animals
Birds
Contaminated feed (birds/rodents)
Contaminated water
Pathophysiology of Salmonella infection
Once ingested, Salmonella attaches to mucosal cells and destroys enterocytes
Stimulates inflammatory response and ingested by macrophages/PMNs
Rapid dissemination throughout body including lymph tissue
Bacteraemia
Approach if Salmonella is suspected in cattle
Contact APHA (reportable)
Salmonella treatment
Trimethoprim sulphonamide (gram -ve)
Meloxicam
Fluids (IV/oral)
Factors predisposing cows to sub-acute rumen acidosis
Excess starch (high concentrate/slug feeding)
Lack of fibre (dietary sorting/spring grass)
Decreased intake (heat stress/poor cow comfort/poor transition cow management)
Clinical signs of sub-acute rumen acidosis
Body condition loss
Variable faecal consistency
Reduced rumen contractility/feed intake
Periodic anorexia
Increased faecal contamination of tail/rump/perineum
Ejected cudballs or reduced rumination
Diagnosis of sub-acute rumen acidosis
Rumen fluid sampling (stomach tube/rumenocentesis)
Differentials for melaena
Abomasal ulcers
Bovine petechial fever
Arsenic poisoning
Seminal vesiculitis (male)
Causes of abomasal ulcers
Intensely managed herds (diets more acidic due to concentrates)
Maize silage
High yielding dairy cows (first 4-6w of lactation/dry period)
Long term NSAIDs
Lymphosarcoma
Abomasal displacement/volvulus
Clinical signs of abomasal ulcer
Intermittent occult blood in faeces or death from massive haemorrhage
Mild abdominal pain
Bruxism
Sudden onset anorexia
Tachycardia
Diagnosis of abomasal ulcer
Transabdominal ultrasonography
Haematology (PCV determines extent of haemorrhage)
Faecal evaluation for occult blood
Abdominocentesis (perforated ulcers = large quantities of abdominal fluid)