PATHOLOGY - Bovine Cardiac Disease

Question 1

What is a jugular refill test?

Answer 1

The jugular refill test is where you hold off the jugular vein, strip the blood and see how long it takes to fill. If it refills instantly, this indicates right sided volume overload

Question 2

Which test should you do on cattle to assess for thoracic pain?

Answer 2

Withers pinch test

Question 3

What stance can be indicative of thoracic pain in cattle?

Answer 3

Cattle standing with abducted elbows can be indicative of thoracic pain

Question 4

What is typically indicated by a ‘splash’ sound on cardiac ausculatation of a cow?

Answer 4

A ‘splash’ sound on auscultation typically indicates pericarditis in cattle

Question 5

(T/F) Sinus arrhthmia is normal on auscultation in cattle

Answer 5

FALSE. While sinus arrhythmia is normal in cattle, it is not typically heard on auscultation as cattle tend to be stressed when being examined and thus have a very low vagal tone, so it would be abnormal to hear sinus arrhythmia on auscultation

Question 6

What can cause pathological sinus arrhythmia in cattle?

Answer 6

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)

Question 7

(T/F) Left sided congestive heart failure is more commonly seen in cattle

Answer 7

FALSE. Right sided congestive heart failure is more common in cattle

Question 8

What are the clinical signs of right-sided congestive heart failure in cattle?

Answer 8

Exercise intolerance
Jugular distension and pulsation
Ascites
Hepatomegaly
Splenomegaly

Question 9

Which two post mortem findings can be indicative of right-sided congestive heart failure in cattle?

Answer 9

‘Nutmeg’ liver
Pale, tense kidneys

Question 10

What is ‘nutmeg’ liver?

Answer 10

‘Nutmeg’ liver is the mottled appearance of the liver as a result of chronic hepatic venous congestion

Question 11

What is traumatic reticulopericarditis?

Answer 11

Traumatic reticulopericarditis is the traumatic penetration of an ingested wire, nail etc through the reticulum, diaphragm and into the pericardium, allowing bacteria to leak into the pericardium resulting in pericarditis

Question 12

Describe the pathophysiology of traumatic reticulopericarditis

Answer 12

Traumatic reticulopericarditis is the traumatic penetration of an ingested wire, nail etc through the reticulum, diaphragm and into the pericardium, allowing bacteria to leak into the pericardium resulting in pericarditis. This can result in abscess formation and a pericardial effusion which will cause significant compression of the right side of the heart - as it acts as a lower pressure system - impairing right ventricular filling, reducing output into the pulmonary circulation and consequently into the left side of the heart, resulting in a reduced cardiac output. Furthermore, this impairment in ventricular filling will result in a backflow of blood from the right ventricle into the systemic circulation, resulting in right-sided congestive heart failure

Question 13

When does traumatic reticulopericarditis most commonly present?

Answer 13

Traumatic reticulopericarditis most commonly presents in cows in the transition phase

However the reason why is unknown

Question 14

What are the six clinical signs of traumatic reticulopericarditis?

Answer 14

Muffled heart sounds
‘Splash’ noise on auscultation
Pyrexia
Abducted elbows stance and positive withers pinch test
Exercise intolerance
Signs of right-sided congestive heart failure

Question 15

Which three methods can you use to diagnose traumatic reticulopericarditis?

Answer 15

Clinical signs
Ultrasound
Bloods

Question 16

What changes would you detect on haematology in a cow with traumatic reticulopericarditis?

Answer 16

Neutrophilia
Increased globulins

Question 17

What can you do to treat traumatic reticulopericarditis?

Answer 17

Adminsiter broad-spectrum antibiotics
Rumenotomy
Administer magnets
Cull

Question 18

When would a rumenotomy be appropriate to treat traumatic reticulopericarditis?

Answer 18

A rumenotomy would only be appropriate if the wire/nail has only penetrated the reticulum and diaphragm

Question 19

(T/F) Treatment for traumatic reticulopericarditis is rarely successful

Answer 19

TRUE.

Question 20

What can be done to prevent traumatic reticulopericarditis?

Answer 20

Administer prophylactic magnets
Install a metal detector on the forage harvester to detect any metal in the fields

Question 21

Which valve is most commonly affected by endocarditis in cattle?

Answer 21

Tricuspid valve

Question 22

Why is the tricuspid valve most commonly affected by endocarditis in cattle?

Answer 22

Cattle are more prone to infections such as metritis, mastitis etc which are all systemic infections. The bacterial will travel through the systemic circulation back to the right side of the heart and the tricuspid valve

Question 23

What can be done to prevent endocarditis in cattle?

Answer 23

Good husbandry/management and prompt treatment of infections

Question 24

What is the most common form of cardiomyopathy seen in cattle?

Answer 24

Dilated cardiomyopathy

Question 25

Which breed of cattle is predisposed to primary dilated cardiomyopathy?

Answer 25

Holstein Friesians

Question 26

List five causes of secondary arrhythmias in cattle

Answer 26

Hypocalcaemia
Hypomagnesaemia
Endotoxaemia
Abdominal pain
Intestinal disease

Question 27

What is the most common arrhythmia heard in dairy cattle?

Answer 27

Atrial fibrillation

Question 28

What should you do if a dairy cow presents with persistent atrial fibrillation?

Answer 28

Recommend culling

Question 29

List five underlying causes of secondary dilated cardiomyopathy in cattle

Answer 29

Selenium deficiency
Copper deficiency
Cobalt deficiency
Toxins
Viral infections

Question 30

Which disease can cause secondary dilated cardiomyopathy in sheep?

Answer 30

Foot and mouth disease

Question 31

What is the most common congenital cardiac disease seen in cattle?

Answer 31

Ventricular septal defects

Question 32

What is the prognosis for cows with ventricular septal defects?

Answer 32

Generally cows with ventricular septal defects can be finished and slaughtered as normal however they should not be bred as their offspring will have an increased risk of also having a ventricular septal defect