Overview Lectures Flashcards
If you have an itchy 6 month old puppy, what might you think? Middle aged dog? Older dog?
Ectoparasites, puppy pyoderma (no idea what causes it like teenagers with acne)
* Middle aged- flea allergy
* Older- all of the above and skin tumours (normal tx not working then referral biopsy)
What are the diagnostic tests you might conduct with skin problems in small animals?
* Skin scrapes, tape preps, impression smears, cytology from swabs, coat brushings, fungassays
What might you think with an itchy guinea pig? (rabbits and rodents too)
* Mites! (Revolution)
What common skin medication should you avoid in rabbits?
Cortisone
What should feather loss be considered until proven otherwise?
Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease
What is the treatment for most mite/ lice in birds?
Moxidectin
What do you do for a severely itchy dog that needs instant relief?
* rinse coat, apply 1 capful QV oil in 200 mls of water, pat dry, cover with elocon and then put on a wet T-shirt
Sheep skin conditions DDX
* introduced sheep- lice
* vaccination history- scabby mouth
* close contact wetting events- dipping etc
* toxicities- fungal growht on feed, weeds, photosensitization
DDX for animals presenting with abnormal gaits
* Musculoskeletal pain or dysfunction
* Neurological conditions
* Intra-abdominal pain
* Skin conditions (tightness affecting joints)
* horses- moisture under their rug causing rubbing
* less common- intra-thoracic or intra-abdominal pain
What are ways musculoskeletal pain may present?
* poor performance, lameness, reluctance to move, recumbency
Components of a lameness exam
* History, examination of the environment, physical exam, examination of the gait, nerve blocks, imaging, the response to treatment
Most common location of lameness in an adult horse?
Foot and affected sites decrease in frequency as we move up the limb…shoulder lameness is very rare.
What is the most common location of lameness in race horses?
* Fetlock and carpal injuries due to high loads generated in these joints in horses travelling at speed (feet problems are also common)
What is the most common cause of lameness in foals? Yearlings?
Septic arthritis or septic osteitis
** septic focus should be assumed until proven otherwise in any lame foal due to the need for aggressive treatment
** In yearlings developmental condtions are the most common cause of musculoskeletal problems (osteochondrosis & subchondral bone cysts)
Poor management predisposes herds to lameness how?
What risk factors are involved with the animal itself for lameness?
How does environmental factors contribute to lameness, especially in a herd?
Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis cause by? Signs and symptoms? Transmission? Diagnosis? What do you do?
Mgt is absolutely crucial- if you ignore colostral transmission, you’ll never be able to control – “snatch and rear”
CV Resp Case Presentation… individual… if it is intermittent what can you do?
*Ask them to take a video on their phone
Physical Exam Resp Case
What is a TFAST?
* Check for normal lungs filling thorax
* Check heart and pericardium
* Look for slide sign
Anatomically what are you considering with the respiratory system?
Respiratory mechanisms
What is sneezing?
Sneezing
•
An explosive release of air from the lungs
through the nose and mouth
•
A protective mechanism to rapidly remove
chemical and physical irritants from the nasal
epithelial surface
•
Often accompanied by nasal discharge
What is reverse sneezing?
Reverse Sneezing
•
Usually nasopharyngeal irritation
•
Purpose is to move secretions and foreign
material into the orophranyx
so it can be
swallowed
•
Causes
– excitement,
epiglottic
entrapment
of
the soft palate, nasal mite, viral infections,
foreign bodies
Sneezing without discharge DDX
Sneezing with discharge DDX
What is snuffling? DDX?
Snuffling
•
Cats
– respiratory viruses
•
Rabbits
– bacterial infection often secondary
to teeth problems
•
Obligate nose breathers such as horses and
especially, rabbits and rodents can be greatly
affected by nasal discharge that block the
nasal passages
Nasal Discharge considerations
* Unilateral or bilateral
Unilateral purulent nasal discharge DDX
FB, neoplasia, Oro-nasal fistula
What is choke?
Choke
- causes
•
Hay/chaff after prolonged fasting
– worse if no
water
•
Via hay net in transportation and no water
•
Rapid eating
•
Hay after sedation because of reduced
oesophageal
motility
•
Dry sugar beet that has not been soaked ( and
it then expands from the saliva)
Horse with acute illness and nasal discharge… what do you need to consider?
What is cough? Different kinds of cough?
•
Dry
C
⁺⁺
–
cough without expectoration
•
Productive
C
⁺⁺
–
material expectorated(maybe
swallowed)
•
Goose honk
C⁺⁺
-chronic , harsh dry cough
characteristic of collapsed trachea
•
Nocturnal C⁺⁺
-
associated with the initial
phase of cardiac disease, psychogenic
coughing or collapsed trachea
Cough DDX different species?
Contagious cough required knowledge
Cough Flow chart
Algorithm for interpretation of thoracic radiographs in the presence of a cough
Dyspnoea
* Laboured or difficult breathing
* Increased RR does not always mean dyspnoea
* Increased RR can be from stress, pain, acidosis, fever
* Provide oxygen if required
* Try and establish what part of the respiratory system is affected
Dyspnoea examination
Prolonged inspiratory phase with noise likely to be what?
Upper respiratory problem
What is stridor?
•
Old dogs
– laryngeal paralysis –
usually
chronic, worse in summer as unable to
thermoregulate
as efficiently,
often there is a
history of voice
change
•
May be at rest but often early in course of
disease clinical signs seen with exercise or
stress
Stridor at rest?
Stertor?
Prolonged inspiratory phase with no noise?
Think pleural space problem– pleural fluid, mass, abdominal organs through a hernia in the diaphragm
* The RR is usually increased
Presentation of dyspnoea?
Loud all over lungs- harsh or crackles- diffuse disease often mixed respiratory pattern (insp and exp)
Oedema cariogenic or non cardiogenic– listen for murmurs, gallop rhythms
* non cardiogenic- strangulation, head trauma, seizures, electrocution
* Dull in parts? Aspiration pneumonia, pulmonary contusions
Prolonged expiratory phase– why is it hard to get the air out?
Think small airway disease such as COPD in horses, asthma in cats
Paradoxical Abdnominal movement?
Approach to respiratory distress and tachypnea in dogs and cats
Main signs of a gut problem
Dog GIT
Considerations of dogs with GIT disorders
DDX Vomiting and diarrhoea in young and old
Cats with vomiting– young? Old?
Older cats– metabolic likely
Younger- string FBs, wool, rubber bands– so RG!
cats– vomiting and diarrhoea?
* IBD, food allergies, lymphoma are underlying of chronic vomiting/diarrhoea in cats
Cattle– general GIT considerations
How does feeding behaviour in cattle result in GIT problems?
Unique parts of the GIT and digestion in cattle
* rumen bacteria are the major source of protein for the host
* Volatile fatty acids that are produced are the major energy source for the host
* Large amounts of waste gases are eructated
* do not like rapid change– upsets the steady state that is the fermentation vat (rumen)– change over 7-10 days– supplements introduced even slower– bacteria also change what is ingested so this can cause a problem
Abomasal displacement
* See signs of poor production, lethargy, inappetance
* Gas ping on left side
* Relatively normal cardinal signs
* Possible change of abdominal wall outline
* Right abomasal displacement more dramatic with complete obstruction of the GIT tract and all the consequences from that
Most likely cause of GIT disorders in small ruminants
Strategic drenching of small ruminants
Managing the burden of parasites in small ruminants
Horse unique GIT
* Large amounts of saliva and GI secretions daily 100L per day (four times the daily requirement) required to maintain fermentation
* Reabsorbed in large colon
* SI obstruction or colonic water absorption failure leads to CV collapse
* Horses cannot vomit– if fluid builds up in the SI due to ileus/ obstruction then rupture of the stomach is possible
* Therefore nasogastric intubation is an important part of treatment of a horse with abdominal pain and no ileocaecal valve sounds
Horse signs of abdominal pain
* Cramping hindquarters under them and swishing their tail
* Restlessly getting up and down constantly
* Lying flat out in dorsal or lateral recumbency
Donkeys signs of abdominal pain
Abdominal pain management
Horses acute diarrhoea cause and DDX?
Horses chronic diarrhoea DDX
Horse GIT parasites
* Ascarids– now swwing resistance to MLs but still susceptible to benzimadazoles
* Adults greater than 2 years resistant to ascarids and can be used to decontaminate a pasture as they will not become infested and not add to the pastures egg burden
Rabbits unique GIT
* Teeth as constantly growing can malalign and cause anorexia especially if low fibre diet
- watch for dropping of food, saliva staining around mouth
- tear duct inflammation/ discharge
Rabbits and gut stasis?
The high risk mare historical events
High risk mare events during current pregnancy
the high risk mare events during parturition
Management of calving prior to
Calving environment:
- protection from adverse weather
- limit environmental contamination with potential pathogens
* Close observation during calving:
- allows timely intervention if a problem should occur
- hours (rather than minutes for foals)
* Calf weight
Evaluation of the neonate
Physical exam of neonate cardiovascular system
* Persistent bradycardia: hypothermia/ hypoglycaemia/hypoxaemia
* Persistent tachycardia:
- sepsis, hypovolaemia
- pain, fever, excitement
- congenital defects (esp if accompanied by load murmurs)
Physical exam of neonates respiratory system
Physical exam of neonate– abdomen
Physical exam of the neonate musculoskeletal system
* flexor laxity: SBs, foals often struggle to rise, difficulty standing to nurse, distal limb edema, trauma to palmar/ plantar aspect
* Resolve as foal gains strength and becomes more active: heel extensions, avoid bandaging
* Flexor contraction:
- foals often struggle to rise
- difficulty standing to nurse
- trauma dorsal aspect of limb
- extensor rupture
* Resolve as becomes more active: physiotherapy, bandaging/splints, toe extensions/ heel elevation/ oxytet (kidneys!!)
Laboratory Evaluation neonates (general)
Lab eval changes to leukogram in neonates
Neonate changes to lab– haemogram
Plasma biochemistry in neonates
* Serum IgG concentration
- maximum plasma concentration at approx 18 hours
- t1/2 in healthy foals approx. 12 to 25 days
- Partial failure of passive transfer: 400-800 mg/dL
- Complete failure of passive transfer < 400 mg/dL
* Serial evaluation
- consumption (antigen-antibody complexes)
- catabolism (negative energy balance)
Common causes of the sick neonate
Neonatal disease treatment
Neonatal disease: treatment common agents
Neonatal disease treatment– haemodynamic support
Neonatal disease treatment: nutritional support
Anti-inflammatories and analgesia in foals
Plasma transfusion in foals
Investigating poor performance
Investigating oedema
Preventing poor performance
Is it primary or secondary?
- Use blood tests to screen for secondary causes: biochem, haemogram, electrolytes, +/- BATT
- Localize and investigate causes of primary neurological disease
Primary neurological disease possible locations
Brain disease
Forebrain dysfunction
Brain stem dysfunction
* UMN gait disturbances
- Most commonly bilateral
- Paresis, dysmetria, spasticity, recumbency
* Intact spinal reflexes but tendency for hyper-reflexivity
* Intact pain sensation
Cerebellar dysfunction
Spinal cord dysfunction
Peripheral neurological conditions
Common ruminant neuro
* plant toxins
* infectious agents
Trouble with ruminant neuro assessment
Common neuro conditions in horses
Horses that trick you! (neuro)
Exotics- neuro– what they get and how they trick you?
Ferrets- general weakness can look like HL paralysis
Rats- pituitary tumours (paresis and head tilt); HL paresis dt arthritis of hips and spine (especially fat rats)
Reptiles- viruses, trauma
Common neuro in dogs
* spinal disease: disc, FCE, trauma, neoplasia, discospondylitis, (tetanus)
* LMN signs: PRN, myasthenia gravis, tick, snake
Dogs that trick you! (Neuro)
* Syncope that looks like seizures
* HL DJD may not respond to placing, may appear to have lost proprioception
Cats common neuro
Cats that trick you– FATE & Tail Pull
jersey susceptible to
Vomiting/ regurgitation
C. Place the cow in sternal recumbency– she is at risk of dying of bloat or aspiration pneumonia– she needs to belch off some of the gas
Not at the point to stab to let off gas– so perhaps not trocar stab but needle
A. Mentation
(HR- loud and thumping– Mg perhaps… OR brain thing)
Has she just had a calf? How old is she? How long has she been down? Have you treated her?
Check the udder, uterus and give Flunixin ideally
C. is reasonable
4 in 1 has Mg Ca Dextrose and Phosphorous– E is probably my favorite
5 in 1 is the clostridial vaccine
7 in 1 is clostridial plus lept
Previous cow was Almost certainly hypcalcaemic– if she was 2 might change things??
Not likely to have milk fever– too young
Most likely differential would be mastitis
** Treat with systemic AMs E. coli is the most likely culprit– Oxytet or Trimethroprim sulpha
Knackery– pet food or blood and bone
Musculoskeletal because she tried to get up– possible but make sure she isn’t trying to calf– or a calf putting pressure on the obturator n. – possibly toxic mastitis… so clinical exam first A.
Looks like she is in pain
Condition score 3/9
Temp 38.2
Classic starvation Ketosis
** Dexamethasone– will take 10 days to work probably
– another advantage stimulate appetite
– Dex also has some Mineralocorticoid effect too- -metabolism shifts to gluconeogenesis to some extent– makes them feel better
Lift the cow using hip lifters, Dexamethasone trimethylacetate (medium acting), antiinflammatories, oxytet maybe
Grass Tetany
BCS 3.5
Acute fluke– late spring (December)– so wrong time of year
* Hypocalcaemia (HypoMg-not common in Merinos, high producing meat producing sheep it is occasional– more common in high producing meat breeds– seeing more complex metabolic disorders)
* Nitrate poisoning– expect to see grazing grass lush feed– post drought- accumulation of nitrogen in the soil
answers: CD FGH
Give 4 in 1
Thiamine would be to polioencephalomalacia
Blood samples
What do we want to do now to investigate further?
A. further clinical exam of ewes
B. Collect blood samples from n ewes
C. Collect urine samples
D. Sample aqueous humour
E. Sample vitreous humour
F. Perform necropsies
G. Collect plant samples
H. Collect soil samples
Plant samples difficult to know what the sheep have picked
Soil samples would do more in terms of longterm management (nitrates for example)
Unimix- calcium salt solution
Propylene glycol if you suspect preg tox
Aglime- applied in autumn– balance out the pH
