Lecture 29 4/7/25 Flashcards
What are the available treatment options for medical therapy in ruminants?
-fluid therapy
-antimicrobials
-pain/inflammation management
-prokinetics
-good quality pasture and forage
What is the most common metabolic derangement in adult ruminants with GI dz?
hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis
What are the exceptions to metabolic alkalosis being the most common metabolic derangement?
-strangulating bowel lesions/intestinal ischemia
-enteritis
-ruminal acidosis
-urinary tract dz
-calves
What should be assessed for on PE of an animal with a GI disorder?
-BCS
-fluid deficit
-increased CRT
-MM color
-cool extremities
How is % dehydration calculated based on skin turdor?
% dehydration = 2 x (tent time in seconds) -4
How is % dehydration calculated based on eyeball recession?
% dehydration = eyeball recession in mm x 2
What are the characteristics of animals with 1 to 5% dehydration?
-eyeball recession of 0 to 3 mm
-neck skin tent lasts 1 to 4 seconds
-MM are moist
-treated with oral fluids
What are the characteristics of animals with 6 to 8% dehydration?
-eyeball recession of 3 to 4 mm
-neck skin tent lasts 5 to 10 seconds
-MM are tacky
-treated with oral fluids
What are the characteristics of animals with 9 to 10% dehydration?
-eyeball recession of 4 to 6 mm
-neck skin tent lasts 11 to 15 seconds
-MM are tacky to dry
-treated with IV fluids
What are the characteristics of animals with 11 to 12% dehydration?
-eyeball recession of 7 to 8 mm
-neck skin tent lasts 16 to 45 seconds
-MM are dry and cold
-treated with IV fluids
What are the typical findings on blood work that indicate dehydration?
-total protein increases; typically a 0.1 g/dL inc. indicates a 1% decrease in body water
-USG > 1.020
What are the characteristics of oral fluid therapy?
-for less severe dehydration
-inexpensive
-quick
-absorption varies
-contraindicated in mechanical obstructions
-should not give more than 5 to 10 gal.
-should contain NaCl, KCl, and/or CaCl2
What are the characteristics of IV fluid therapy?
-for severe dehydration
-expensive
-time consuming
-want to correct specific abnormalities
14 g catheter can allow for 20 L/hour rate
How is the fluid deficit calculated?
body weight in kg x % dehydration
What is YMCP?
compound that can be used for fluid therapy that contains yeast, magnesium, calcium, and potassium
What can be used for an oral fluid drench?
-rumen fluid
-alfalfa meal
-propylene glycol (propionate production)
-calcium
-potassium chloride
What can be added to fluid therapy for adult cattle?
-calcium
-KCl
-glucose (if pregnant/lactating)
-rumen fluid
What are the acidifying solutions for fluid therapy in cattle?
-0.9% NaCl
-5 to 7% NaCl
What are the characteristics of combo fluid therapy?
-common in adults
-can reduce a severe dehydration to a mild/moderate dehydration
-involves hypertonic saline and oral fluids
-2 L given IV first, then a 5 gal. drench orally
What are the mechanisms of metabolic acidosis in neonates?
-dehydration
-bacterial fermentation
-loss of bicarb. rich fluid
How does dehydration lead to metabolic acidosis in calves?
-profuse diarrhea leads to loss of electrolytes and water
-severe dehydration causes poor perfusion
-poor perfusion leads to poor oxygen delivery to tissues and increased lactic acid production
-lactic acid cannot be metabolized by the liver easily due to poor perfusion
How does bacterial fermentation lead to metabolic acidosis in calves?
-bacterial fermentation in GI tract leads to high uptake of D-lactic acid
-D-lactic acid cannot be metabolized; must be excreted with fluids
How is metabolic acidosis corrected?
fluids and bicarbonate admin.
What are the clinical signs of metabolic acidosis?
-depression and CNS dysfunction
-altered mentation
-loss of suckle reflex
-ataxia
-weakness
-recumbency
