metabolic & miscellaneous disorders of large animals Flashcards
what are other names for hypocalcemia?
milk fever, parturient paresis
what is hypocalcemia?
metabolic disease occurring frequently in adult female around calving time
in what cows is hypocalcemia most seen in?
dairy and producing cows
what is the cause of hypocalcemia?
decrease in serum calcium
why do cows experience a fall in serum during calving?
large amounts of calcium are needed to produce colostrum
how do cows try to compensate for low serum calcium?
by absorbing more calcium from the intestines and mobilizing stored calcium from bone
what diet is thought to suppress the activity of the parathyroid gland in dry periods?
high in calcium (alfalfa hay)
what are prepartum clinical signs of hypocalcemia? and why?
reduced contractions - muscle cells require calcium for contraction
what are post partum clinical signs of hypocalcemia?
initial excitement and tetany, sternal head back facing flank, drowsy, cold, dull eyes, low temp, pupils slow to respond, HR increase, decreased heart sounds, constipation, lateral recumbency, coma and death
how do we diagnose hypocalcemia?
clinical signs and response to treatment
how do we treat hypocalcemia?
calcium IV, oral calcium
what can happen if we administer calcium to fast?
can cause cardiac arrhythmias
how can we prevent hypocalcemia?
incomplete milking, oral or SQ calcium, anionic salts in prepartum diet
what is ketosis?
condition of late pregnancy in ewes carrying multiple lams or in post-parturient, high-producing dairy cows
what is the cause of ketosis?
inadequate glucose in diet that causes body fat and protein to be mobilized for gluconeogenesis
what are the causes of ketosis in pregnant ewes?
inadequate amounts of feed/quality, ewe being off feed, demand for glucose in late gestation
what are the causes of ketosis in lactating dairy cows?
inadequate ration to sustain high milk production, cow being off feed, peak lactation in high producing dairy cows
what are the clinical signs of ketosis in sheep?
decreased feed intake, separate from flock, depression, neurological sings (abnormal gait, blindness, star gazing, recumbency, coma/death)
what are the initial clinical signs of ketosis in dairy cows?
decreased milk production, decreased feed intake, lethargy
what are clinical signs of ketosis in dairy cows as the disease progresses?
weight loss, pica, humpback posture, acetone door to breath, urine and milk
how can we diagnose ketosis?
presence of ketone in urine and milk, hypoglycemia
how do we treat ketosis?
IV dextrose solution, oral supplement with propylene glycol as an energy source,
with ketosis, who has a poor prognosis?
ewes
how can we prevent ketosis?
ration accommodates the requirements of late gestation (sheep) and peak lactation (cattle), separate thin and fatter ewes in early pregnancy for custom feed, avoid sudden management changes, feeding monensin to reduce manifestation of hypoglycaemia and ketonuria
what are other names for pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction in horses?
PPID, cushings syndrome
who is PPID most seen in?
older horses
what is PPID?
endocrine disorder, when signals between two areas are interrupted or inappropriately signalled, there is an increase in ACTH which will stimulate the adrenal glands
what are the clinical signs of PPID?
long shaggy hair coat, shedding of guard hairs (early), patchy sweating, PU/PD, fat distributed to neck crest, tail head, shoulders, above eyes. pot belly, immunosuppresion, laminitis
how can we diagnose PPID?
neutrophilic, lymphopenia, hyperglycaemia, elevated liver enzymes, measure ACTH, perform dexamethasone suppression test, thyroid releasing hormone test,
how do we treat PPID?
pergolide oral q24 hours indefinitely, trilostane oral q24 hours
what are other names for equine metabolic syndrome?
EMS, insulin resistance
who is EMS frequently seen in?
middle - older aged horses, easy keepers
what is the cause of PPID?
constant high level of glucose in the blood from over feeding or high cortisol levels then the pancreas respond by making more insulin, body cells unresponsive to insulin
what will a horse have with EMS?
high blood glucose and high blood insulin
what are the clinical signs of PPID?
adipose tissue easily deposited in the crest, shoulder, loin, above eyes, around tail head. obesity, laminitis
how can we diagnose PPID?
measure insulin levels (fasted blood sample, ensure horse is calm), combined glucose-insulin test
how can we treat PPID?
exercise and restrict diet, diet with low glycemic index (grass hay, minimal grain), Thyrol-L, metformin
what is naval iii?
common infection in newborn farm animals, umbilical cord dries up within one week of birth
what is the cause of naval III?
mixed bacterial population, dirtier and wetter environment in umbilicus
what are the clinical signs of naval III?
lethargy, local infection signs, bladder infection with urine and pus draining from fistulous urachus, bacteria with localization, stiff or sore movement while walking, stiff or sore, abdominal pain, muscle atrophy
how can we diagnose naval III?
WBC with left shift, ultrasound of liver and abdomen, necropsy (liver abscess)
how can we treat naval III?
parenteral antibiotics, flush abscess, anti-inflammatories, fluid therapy, surgery to resect infected tissue
how can we prevent naval III?
colostrum, good hygiene, naval dipping or spraying
