GI infections in youngstock

Question 1

What pathogen causes sudden death and watery mouth in lambs?

Answer 1

E. coli

Question 2

What pathogen causes diarrhoea in cows less than 5 days old?

Answer 2

E. coli

Question 3

How is E. coli in lambs/calves diagnosed?

Answer 3

History and clinical signs

Not culture - will ALWAYS yield E. coli - commensal!!

Question 4

How is watery mouth in lambs treated?

Answer 4

Oral fluids
Broad spectrum Abs - amoxicillin, neomycin, streptomycin
NSAIDs - flunixin (anti-endotoxic)

Question 5

What bacteria causes diarrhoea in cattle and sheep of all ages, but mostly at 2-6 weeks old?

Answer 5

Salmonella dublin/typhimurium

Also causes abortion 5-8 months

Question 6

How is Salmonella dublin/typhimurium diagnosed?

Answer 6

PCR, culture (faecal sample 3-5 consecutive days)

Intestinal dilation and enlarged LNs on PME

Question 7

What is the treatment for Salmonella dublin?

Answer 7

Oral fluids/IVFT
NSAIDs
Antibiotics - ampicillin

Question 8

Name 3 ways Salmonella can be prevented

Answer 8

Good management - hygiene, grouping
Colostrum management
Quarantine/isolate new cattle
Herd vaccination (only if still a problem)

Question 9

What pathogen causes diarrhoea with yellow/green mucus, affecting calfs/lambs 5-14 days old?

Answer 9

Cryptosporidium

ZOONOTIC

Question 10

How is cryptosporidium diagnoesd?

Answer 10

Faecal smear - red oocysts
Faecal flotation
Blunting/atrophy of villi on PME

Question 11

If a calf is diagnosed with cryptosporidium, coronavirus or rotavirus, what other disease may you want to check it for?

Answer 11

BVD

Predisposes to other infections

Question 12

What specific drug is used for cryptosporidium prevention in calves?

Answer 12

Halofuginone (Halocur)

Question 13

What age are calves affected with rotavirus or coronavirus?

Answer 13

Rotavirus 1-2 weeks

Coronavirus 1-3 weeks

Question 14

Which is more common? Which is more pathogenic? Rotavirus or coronavirus

Answer 14

Rotavirus - more common

Coronavirus - more pathogenic

Question 15

How can E. coli, Rotavirus and Coronavirus be prevented?

Answer 15

Vaccination

Good hygiene, colostrum and management

Question 16

What age are calves/lambs affected with coccidiosis?

Answer 16

3+ weeks

Question 17

A 4 week old calf presents with green, watery profuse diarrhoea. There are specks of blood and mucus. The farmer gave antibiotics that didn’t improve the scour. What is your most likely diagnosis?

Answer 17

Acute coccidiosis

Causes ill-thrift or ‘poor doer’ in newly weaned calves

Question 18

What is the treatment for coccidiosis?

Answer 18

Toltrazuril, Diclazuril
Move away from infected area
Fluids

Question 19

What causes lamb dystentery? How is it prevented?

Answer 19

Clostridium perfringens type B

Vaccination

Question 20

What causes ‘struck’ or haemorrhagic enteritis in cattle? How is it prevented?

Answer 20

Clostridium perfringens type C

Vaccination

Question 21

What pathogen may cause neonatal septicaemia and death in young calves, due to FPT?

Answer 21

E. coli (haemolytic)

Question 22

A 5 month old presents with crusty nasal discharge, enteritis, oral ucleration, profuse diarrhoea. On PME the calf is found to have pneumonia and tracheitis. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Answer 22

Necrotic enteritis of suckler calves

Question 23

A 7 week old calf presents with pasty diarrhoea, a pot belly and poor growth. What is your most likely differential?

Answer 23

Peri-weaning sccour syndrome

Question 24

A 9 day old calf presents with sunken eyes and diarrhoea. The calf is slightly quiet and depressed. What is your treatment and likely diagnosis?

Answer 24

Likely to be Neonatal Calf Diarrhoea
Oral rehydration therapy with electrolytes - ABs NOT indicated, therapeutic target is to correct acid/base balance (depression suggests abnormal balance) leading to a BAR calf with strong suck reflex