Neuro

Question 1

This cow is completely unable to support her own weight and her forelimb appears to ‘hang’. What might be the cause?

Answer 1

Brachial plexus injury/paralysis

• may have been caused by a haematoma or abscess between the scapula and the ribs

Question 3

This animal is able to support its own weight but is unable to extend any joints of the limb. What might be the cause?

Answer 3

Radial nerve paralysis (at a high level)

Question 4

This animal is able to support its own weight but is unable to extend its fetlock. What might be the cause?

Answer 4

Radial nerve paralysis (low level)

Question 5

This cow is recently calved. What does this posture indicate?

Answer 5

Bilateral sciatic nerve damage

Question 7

When is radial paralysis most commonly seen?

Answer 7

In cows that have been recumbent for some time because of milk fever

Also in cows cast on hard surfaces or blunt trauma to the shoulder area

Question 9

What nerve damage does this animal appear to be suffering from? How can you tell?

Answer 9

Tibial nerve paralysis - Hock over-flexed while weight bearing surface remains on the ground

Question 10

What nerve damage does this animal appear to be suffering from? How can you tell?

Answer 10

Tibial nerve paralysis - stifle is dropped, hock is over-flexed and the weight bearing surface is still firmly on the ground

Question 13

What is the prognosis for obturator paralysis?

Answer 13

Guarded - especially if bilateral

Question 14

What is the main cause of obturator paralysis and what does it result in?

Answer 14

Commonly associated with ‘hip-lock’ dystocia

• Paralysis of the adducting muscles of the hind limb - affected leg/s push out to the side
• Normal sensation of lower limbs

Question 15

What is a possible sequelae of tibial paralysis?

Answer 15

Partial / complete rupture of the gastrocnemius muscle

Question 16

What nerve paralysis might this cow be suffering from?

Answer 16

Obturator nerve paralysis

Question 17

What nerve paralysis might this cow be suffering from?

Answer 17

Brachial plexus nerve paralysis

Question 18

What nerve paralysis might this cow be suffering from?

Answer 18

Tibial nerve paralysis

Question 19

What do you notice about the stance of this calf?

Answer 19

Wide base / saw horse stance

Question 20

Abnormal behaviour such as head pressing, aimless walking, circling, licking objects and aggression tends to indicate a neurological lesion where?

Answer 20

Cerebral lesion - circling animals will circle towards the side of the cerebral lesion

Question 21

Give a brief description of citrullinaemia:

Answer 21

An inherited, autosomal recessive disorder of holstein-fresian calves. A deficiency of one of the urea cycle enzymes leading to elevated citrulline and ammonia concentrations in blood. Calves are born fine but become stuporous by 3-4 days old. Head press, collapse, convulsions and death.

Question 22

Which breeds of cattle are affected by alpha-mannosidosis?

Answer 22

Angus and Murray Grey Cattle

Question 23

What is the most common manifestation of listerial infction in Australiasia?

Answer 23

Meningo-encephalitis

Question 24

Why does listeria affect mainly 2 - 3 year old animals?

Answer 24

Tooth eruptions are an excellent point of entry for infection

Question 26

What is the antibiotic of choise for listeriosis?

Answer 26

Penicillins and aminopenicillins

Question 27

Why might there be a metabolic acidosis in a cow with listeriosis?

Answer 27

They are not producing / swallowing much saliva so they are losing thir main source of bicarbonate and phosphate.

Question 28

What are most cases of tetanus in cattle associated with?

Answer 28

Castration

Tail docking

Dehorning

Question 29

What is the prevention for tetanus?

Answer 29

Tetanus toxiod vaccination. Two are required - given 4-6 weeks apart.

Can be given at any age.

Question 30

What is idiopathic tetanus often associated with?

Answer 30

Feeding large amounts of root crops contaminaed with soil

Question 31

What can cause polioencaphalomalacia (PEM) in cattle?

Answer 31

Thiamine deficiency

Lead poisoning

Salt/Water Intoxication

Question 32

What is one significant diagnostic difference between PEM caused by thiaminases vs. lead poisoning?

Answer 32

Rumen function is maintained when presenting with PEM due to thiaminases in contrast to lead poisoning.