PATHOLOGY - Bovine Anaemia Flashcards
What are the three most common causes of anaemia in cattle?
Haemorrhage
Infectious agents
Toxicity
What are five common causes of haemorrhage in cattle?
Trauma
Castration
Dehorning
Obstetric haemorrhage
Abomasal ulceration
What are three common traumatic causes of haemorrhage in cattle?
Trauma to the udder
Ruptured middle uterine artery
Epistaxis due to caudal vena caval syndrome
What is the average blood volume for cattle?
55ml/kg blood volume
How can you calculate the allowable blood loss in cattle?
Allowable blood loss = Estimated blood volume x (Initial PCV - minimum PCV) / Initial PCV
What is a normal PCV in cattle?
A normal PCV in cattle is above or equal to 24%
What can you use to manage haemorrhage in cattle?
Intravenous and oral fluid therapy
Blood transfusion
(T/F) You do not need to cross-match before transfusing blood to cattle
TRUE. Though cattle have a wide range of blood types, there is a very low risk of immunological haemolytic transfusion reactions so cross-matching is unnecessary
What should you be aware of when breeding cattle that have had a blood transfusion?
If you breed cattle that have had a blood transfusion, there is an increased risk of neonatal isoerythrolysis
How many litres of blood can be donated per donor in cattle?
8 - 10 litres of blood can be donated per donor
Give an example of an ectoparasite that can cause anaemia in cattle
Haematobia irritans irritans (horn fly)
Which ectoparasite can cause severe anaemia in calves?
Fleas can cause severe anaemia in calves
Which haemoparasites can be carried by ixodes ricinus ticks?
Babesia (rare in UK but can be seen in imported cattle)
Anaplasma
What kind of blood sample should you take if you suspect babesia?
Take a capillary blood sample at the end of the tail as erythrocytes infected with babesia express surface antigens which adhere the cells to capillary endothelium where they will accumulate
What can be used to treat babesia?
Imdidocarb dipropionate