Other Neonatal Calf disease Flashcards
Umbilical Infection is also known as
Navel ill
Is Navel ill a serious condition?
Serious in its own right
Leads to more disseminated infection
Rapidly life threatening
Permanent debilitating damage
Suggest causes for navel ill
Poor management of umbilicus
Dirty environment
Failure of passive transfer
Mixed bacterial flora
Infection gains access while stump is still wet
Open access to bloodstream
Umbilical infection- Clinical signs
Hot/swollen/painful umbilicus (US)
+/- pus
+/- lameness
+/- intermittent purulent discharge
+/- systemic signs –dull, illthrifty, inappetent
+/- urinary signs, persistent urachus, (urinalysis)
Umbilical infection- Treatment
Systemic antibiotics – 2-3 weeks duration; Broad spectrum e.g. ampicillin, TMPS, amoxyclav
May be septicaemia so need fluids/NSAID
Umbilical infection- Consequences
Abscessation
Septicaemia
Joint ill, polyarthritis
Liver abscess or cystitis
Hypopyon anterior chamber of eye
Umbilical infection- Prevention
Strong iodine (+/- surgical spirit)
Colostrum
Environment
What is the most common congenital dz of cattle
Umbilical Hernia
Complications of Umbilical hernia
Adhesions
Bowel strangulation
Umbilical hernia- Treatment
Leave alone
Surgical repair open or closed
DO NOT BREED FROM THEM
Differences between Abscess and Hernia
Abscess: Soon after birth, Non reducible, No hernial ring palpable, No pain, Can aspirate purulent material
Hernia: Noticed at 2-3 weeks, Reducible, Hernial ring, No pain, No purulent material
Septic arthiritis is also known as
Joint ill
Joint ill is a consequence of
Umbilical infection or other infections
Joint ill- Clinical signs
One/multiple joint swellings (carpus/stifle)
Lameness, pyrexia
+/- swollen navel
Down
Loss of joint movement
Joint capsule inflamed
Contraction of flexor tendons
Joint ill- Diagnosis
CS
arthrocentesis, fluid aspiration, C+S, radiography (when more chronic), ultrasound)
Joint ill- Treatment
3 weeks broad spectrum abs (including Mycoplasma). IV if poss initially
NSAID
Vet often too late = Poor response to Tx and chronic lameness, Hence prevention is key
Septic arthritis is the iirreversible destruction of what cartilage
Articular
Septicaemia
Systemic disease associated with the presence of pathogenic microorganisms or their toxins in the blood
Main common infectious agents and sources of septicaemia
Cause
E. coli, Endotoxin (50%)
Salmonella
Source
Environment
Colostrum/milk
Uterus
Septicaemia - Clinical signs
Rapid progression; often fatal – found dead
Early signs non-specific – depression, reduced suckling
Fever OR Hypothermia
Sustained tachycardia (+ tachypnoea)
Hyperaemia of mucous membranes & scleral injection
Progressive shock
Localized infection – arthritis, eye (hypopyon), meningitis, pneumonia
Septicaemia - Treatment
Response to treatment often poor
Antimicrobials
Preferably intravenous
Gram neg or broad-spectrum initially (then select on basis of C+S if available)
NSAIDs – to counter pathogenic effects of inflammatory response and endotoxaemia
Supportive treatment – warmth, good bedding, nursing care, intravenous fluids
Meningitis
Inflammation of one or more of the three covering layers of the meninges in the CNS
Linked to septicaemia and pneumonia
Meningitis- Clinical signs
CS – Depression, reduced suckling, neck pain, star gazing, head pressing, opisthotonous, pyrexia (initially), hypopyon, hyperaesthesia, blindness, ataxia, spasticity, Slow deep respiration
Meningitis- Treatment
Abs cross BBB and broad spectrum, 14 days
Poor prognosis
Consequence of calf with Selenium/Vit E (Free radicals) deficiency
Decreased immune response and White muscle disease (WMD)
Consequence of calf with Iodine (Thyroid hormone) deficiency
Decreased metabolic rate, inability to stand, goitre
Consequence of calf with Vitamin A (Retina, bone) deficiency
Blindness, still born/weak calves
Outline calf health scoring criteria
Grade 0-3
Measures: Rectal temp, Cough, Nasal discharge, Eye scores (Discharge) , Ear scores(Tilt or droop)
Ruminal drinking
When the oesophageal groove reflex fails (the groove either closes incompletely or not at all) so that milk flows directly into the reticulo-rumen instead of the abomasum.
Two types of Ruminal drinking
SPORADIC- single milk feed entering rumen
CHRONIC- called a ruminal drinker
Ruminal Drinking- Clinical signs
Bloat
Failure to thrive
Poor growth rates
Pot bellied appearance
Reduced appetite
ACIDOSIS signs
Fluid splashing on deep ballotment of lower left abdomen
Ruminal Drinking- Treatment
If you can pull off the milk altogether and feed good quality hay and concentrates- recovery in a couple of weeks
If too young to pull off milk try to reinstate oesophageal groove
- Alter feeding (avoid stomach tubing milk)- suckle
- Bicarb/electrolytes
Risk factors for Abomasitis and abomasal bloat
Erratic feeding schedules
Contaminated milk or colostrum
High incidence of FPT
Inadequate water
Hyperconcentrated or inadequate milk replacer mixing.
Congenital vs Herditary
Congenital
Disease or abnormality present from birth
May or may not be hereditary
Hereditary
May or may not be congenital
Genetic component
May be carrier or case
