Lecture 22 3/25/25 Flashcards
What are the characteristics of rumen chloride measurement as a diagnostic tool for vagal indigestion?
-normal rumen chloride levels is < 30 mEq/L
-types 1 and 2 have normal chloride
-type 3 has chloride levels > 30 mEq/L due to Cl sequestration
Why is there elevated rumen chloride in type 3 vagal indigestion?
-abomasum is not functioning properly; HCl produced in abomasum cannot move into the small intestine for absorption
-HCl backs up into the rumen fluid rather than entering the bloodstream; leads to high rumen chloride and low blood chloride
What are the clin path findings in vagal indigestion?
-dehydration
-inflammatory leukogram
-lymphocytosis if patient has lymphoma
What is the most common metabolic derangement in adult cattle?
hypochloremic, hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis
What are the characteristics of hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis?
-seen in mature, dehydrated bovids
-decreased GI motility and type 3 vagal indigestion can lead to low blood chloride
-body expands bicarb. production to make up for low blood Cl
Which conditions lead to development of acidosis rather than alkalosis?
-late stage strangulating lesions
-enteritis
-young animals
How is vagal indigestion treated?
*based on inciting cause
-relieve distention; kingman tube or rumenotomy
-prokinetic agents
-antibiotics if infectious cause
-restrict water
-good quality grass hay
-fistulation long-term
What are the characteristics of rumen putrefaction?
-abnormal accumulation of milk in rumen of calves
-milk becomes putrefied and promotes gram-pos. anaerobic overgrowth
-primary pathogen is Clostridium perfringens
How can milk get into the rumen?
-failure of esophageal-omasal groove
-abomasal reflux due to overfeeding or inflammation
-feeding milk to calves older than 4 months of age
What are the clinical signs of rumen putrefaction?
-mild bloat
-pot belly
-unthriftiness
-rough hair coat
-poor appetite
-signs associated with feedings
What are the findings on rumen fluid analysis in rumen putrefaction?
-alkaline pH (greater than 7)
-sour, rancid milk odor
What is the treatment for rumen putrefaction?
-siphon off the rumen
-oral antibiotics (PPG)
-transfaunation
-slow the rate of milk feeding; small, frequent meals
-wean
What is ruminal tympany?
accumulation of gas or froth in the rumen
What can cause free gas bloat?
-esophageal obstruction; something inside or outside esophagus blocks eructation
-ruminal motility dysfunction; poor rumen contraction prevents eructation
What can lead to rumen motility dysfunction?
-vagal indigestion
-traumatic reticuloperitonitis
-grain overload
What are the characteristics of frothy bloat?
-dietary factors promote production of small gas bubbles that cannot merge
-no ping when testing rumen
-must be treated as an emergency
What type of feed causes frothy bloat?
lush, high protein forage that is metabolized to produce viscous ruminal fluid; legumes are the primary culprit
What are the clinical signs of bloat?
-mild to severe bloat
-reduced appetite
-weight gain
-abdominal discomfort/colic
-respiratory distress
-sudden death
How is the pressure of bloat relieved with free gas bloat?
OG intubation
How is frothy bloat alleviated?
anti-foaming agents or surfactants, including:
-poloxalene
-docusate sodium
-laundry detergent in emergency cases
How is bloat ruminal tympany prevented?
-remove offending feed
-exercise
-supplemental grass hay
-poloxalene blocks, tubs, or top dress
-ionophores such as monensin that will select for microbiota that produce less gas
What are the characteristics of traumatic reticuloperitonitis/hardware disease?
-perforation of reticulorumen with an ingested sharp metal foreign body
-rhythmic contractions push object through the wall
-leakage of ruminal contents results in infection, fibrin deposition, and adhesion
What are the commonly affected sites in hardware disease?
-peritoneum
-pleura
-pericardial sac
What are the clinical signs of acute peritonitis in hardware disease?
-fever
-tachycardia
-abdominal pain
-bruxism/grinding teeth/clenching jaw
-toxemia
What are the clinical signs of chronic peritonitis in hardware disease?
-localized pain and abscess
-similar signs to acute peritonitis, but less severe
Which tests are used to determine if cows are experiencing abdominal pain?
grunt test or withers pinch
Which other diagnostics are done for hardware disease besides grunt test/withers pinch?
-ultrasound
-compass
-1 view radiograph
What are the signs of pleuritis due to hardware disease?
-pleural friction rubs
-thoracic pain
-pulmonary abscesses
What are the signs of pericarditis due to hardware disease?
-right-sided congestive heart failure
-venous distention
-jugular pulses
-brisket edema
What are the characteristics of hardware dz treatment?
-unrewarding
-typically culled, may need to condemn
-can try long-term antibiotics
-may be able to extract foreign body and/or treat abscesses via laparotomy/rumenotomy
-magnets for prevention is best method
What are the characteristics of omasal impaction?
-obstruction of omasal outflow by fibrous or stringy materials
-presents similarly to type 2 vagal indigestion
-diagnosed and treated like vagal indigestion
-can do oral or IV fluids and macrolide antibiotics; cannot due surgery
What is an abomasal ulcer?
erosion of gastric mucosa that may involve bleeding and may cause peritoneal perforation
What can cause abomasal ulcers in calves?
-stress
-mineral deficiencies
-Clostridium perfringens type A
-trichobezoars
-NSAIDs
What can cause abomasal ulcers in adult cattle?
-stress
-parturition
-peak milk time
-concurrent disease
-diets high in starches
-NSAIDs
-lymphosarcoma (most common cause)
What are the four classifications of ulcers?
-type 1: non-perforating, no signs
-type 2: non-perforating, bleeding
-type 3: perforating, local peritonitis
-type 4: perforating, diffuse peritonitis
What are the clinical signs of abomasal ulcers?
-possibly asymptomatic
-melena/dark tarry manure with lots of bleeding
-mild to severe pain
-poor production
-rough hair coat
-bruxism
-groaning
-localized to severe/diffuse peritonitis
How are abomasal ulcers diagnosed?
-fecal occult blood
-abdominocentesis
-ultrasound
What is the treatment for abomasal ulcers?
-acid reducers
-gastroprotectants
-blood transfusion if anemic
-systemic antibiotics
What can help to reduce acid for ulcer treatment?
-antacids
-H2 antagonists
-proton pump inhibitors
-reductions in high energy feed rations
Which gastroprotectants can be used in ulcer treatment?
-sucralfate
-misoprostol (not in alpacas)
What are the characteristics of abomasal impaction?
-failure of abomasal emptying
-can be primary or secondary
-seen in calves and adult cattle
-look for nutritional deficiency
-early stages of type 3 vagal indigestion
What can cause secondary abomasal impaction?
-poor quality forage
-foreign body
-sand
-trichobezoars
lymphoma
What are the clinical signs of abomasal impaction?
early:
-reduced feed intake
-reduced manure production
-mild bloat
late:
-vagal indigestion
How is abomasal impaction diagnosed?
-clinical exam
-hypochloremia
-L-shaped rumen on rectal exam
What is the treatment for abomasal impaction?
-laxatives
-aggressive oral and IV fluids
-surgery to remove obstruction
-better quality ration and forages
