Lumps and Poisoning of Farm Animals

Question 1

Neoplasia - Differences to SA/Equine

Answer 1

Farm animals don’t live long enough to develop ‘old age’ neoplasia
Juvenile neoplasia not uncommon
Diagnostics beyond US scan and FNA rarely performed (no staging)
Chemo/radio never an option (surgical excision considered)
Cattle - Notifiable neoplasia

Question 2

Treatment for various lumps (Tumour,Seroma,Haematoma,Abcess,Lymph node)

Answer 2

Tumour – cow - Report to APHA (see later) Leave or surgical resection (margins, space, ££ etc)
Seroma – Leave
Haematoma – Leave
Abscess – Lance (think about where) , flush (water +/- disinfectant for approx. 3 days), aim to keep open, +/- abs
Lymph node - ? Cause. Treat primary lesions

Question 3

What is the cattle specific lump causing disease that is notifiable

Answer 3

Enzootic Bovine Leukosis (EBL) Caused by Bovine leukaemia virus
0.1 – 10% develop actual tumours (abomasum, heart, lymph nodes)
30 – 70% lymphocytosis (increased lymphocytes)

Question 4

Difference between Enzootic bovine leukosis and Sporadic bovine leukosis

Answer 4

SPL: <4 yrs old, Unknown transmission, Dairy and beef cattle, multicentric/thymic/skin clinical appearance, single incidence
EBL: >4 yrs old, Vertical transmission, Dairy cattle, multicentric clinical appearance, single , multiple incidence

Question 5

List common cattle specific lump diseases

Answer 5

Enzootic bovine leukosis and Sporadic bovine leukosis
Squamous cell carcinoma
Papilloma
Granulosa Cell tumour
Cutaneous Actinobacilosis

Question 6

What is cattle Squamous cell carcinoma

Answer 6

Requires UV
Occular and peri-ocular
Non-pigmented, white faced e.g. hereford (+others), older, genetic component also
Often bilateral
+/- mets to LN and lungs
Tx – Local and excise

Question 7

What is cattle papilloma

Answer 7

Young animals
Very common
Cause - Bovine papilloma virus
Different types and locations
Most spontaneously resolve
Clinical signif depends on location
Autogenous vaccine (currently not in UK)
Tx - Simple local/scalpel removal vs Surgical removal vs leave alone

Question 8

What is cattle Granulosa Cell tumour

Answer 8

Thick walled, honeycomb ovary on US scan
Main ddx is ovarian cyst
Tx – surgical ovariectomy or cull (at end of lactation)

Question 9

What is cattle Cutaneous Actinobacilosis

Answer 9

Actinobacillosis is caused by several species of gram-negative coccobacilli of the genus Actinobacillus.A lignieresii causes tumorous abscesses of the tongue, usually referred to as wooden tongue.

Question 10

Poisoning Investigation Principles

Answer 10

Thorough history*
Look around you (take your plant ID app with you!)
Clinical exam to establish body system
Sample collection from animal and environment
Can store samples initially
Specific or non-specific tx
Monitor response to tx
Post mortem – look in oesophagus/stomach if acute

Question 11

Poisoning treatment principles

Answer 11

Remove from source
Offer alternative feeding
Rumenotomy if acute and material still in rumen
No specific meds - fluids, NSAID (watch kidney), charcoal etc
Sedation if severe neuro signs e.g. seizures
Antidote if available (rarely available , licensed?)
NURSING

Question 12

Toxic Effect of Yew

Answer 12

SUDDEN DEATH
Cardiotoxic

Question 13

Toxic Effect of Rhododendron

Answer 13

SHEEP (Often in winter, starving)
GIT. teeth grinding, salivation, abd pain, v+
Tx – supportive, NSAID, broad spectrum abs (aspiration pneumonia)

Question 14

Toxic Effect of Ragwort

Answer 14

HORSES
Hepatotoxic - Jaundice, oedema
Neurotoxic – apparent blind, hepatic encephalopathy
GIT – abd pain, d+, Weight loss, ascites
Dx – liver enzymes and hx

Question 15

Toxic Effect of St Johns Wort

Answer 15

Photosensitisation

Question 16

Toxic Effect of lead

Answer 16

CS – Neuro - M fasciculation, staggering,apparent blindness
GIT – frothing at mouth, colic, teeth grinding, rumen stasis
Dx - Heparin blood >1.4 umol/l
Tx – supportive, sedate, Ca disodium edetate
Report to Food Standards Agency