PATHOLOGY - Bovine Cardiac Disease Flashcards
What is a jugular refill test?
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
Which test should you do on cattle to assess for thoracic pain?
Withers pinch test
What stance can be indicative of thoracic pain in cattle?
Cattle standing with abducted elbows can be indicative of thoracic pain
What is typically indicated by a ‘splash’ sound on cardiac ausculatation of a cow?
A ‘splash’ sound on auscultation typically indicates pericarditis in cattle
(T/F) Sinus arrhythmia is normal on auscultation in cattle
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
What can cause pathological sinus arrhythmia in cattle?
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)
(T/F) Left sided congestive heart failure is more commonly seen in cattle
FALSE. Right sided congestive heart failure is more common in cattle
What are the clinical signs of right-sided congestive heart failure in cattle?
Exercise intolerance
Jugular distension and pulsation
Ascites
Hepatomegaly
Splenomegaly
Which two post mortem findings can be indicative of right-sided congestive heart failure in cattle?
‘Nutmeg’ liver
Pale, tense kidneys
What is ‘nutmeg’ liver?
‘Nutmeg’ liver is the mottled appearance of the liver as a result of chronic hepatic venous congestion
What is traumatic reticulopericarditis?
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
Describe the pathophysiology of traumatic reticulopericarditis
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
When does traumatic reticulopericarditis most commonly present?
Traumatic reticulopericarditis most commonly presents in cows in the transition phase
However the reason why is unknown
What are the six clinical signs of traumatic reticulopericarditis?
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
Which three methods can you use to diagnose traumatic reticulopericarditis?
Clinical signs
Ultrasound
Bloods
What changes would you detect on haematology in a cow with traumatic reticulopericarditis?
Neutrophilia
Increased globulins
What can you do to treat traumatic reticulopericarditis?
Adminsiter broad-spectrum antibiotics
Rumenotomy
Administer magnets
Cull
When would a rumenotomy be appropriate to treat traumatic reticulopericarditis?
A rumenotomy would only be appropriate if the wire/nail has only penetrated the reticulum and diaphragm
(T/F) Treatment for traumatic reticulopericarditis is rarely successful
TRUE.
What can be done to prevent traumatic reticulopericarditis?
Administer prophylactic magnets
Install a metal detector on the forage harvester to detect any metal in the fields
Which valve is most commonly affected by endocarditis in cattle?
Tricuspid valve
Why is the tricuspid valve most commonly affected by endocarditis in cattle?
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
What can be done to prevent endocarditis in cattle?
Good husbandry/management and prompt treatment of infections
What is the most common form of cardiomyopathy seen in cattle?
Dilated cardiomyopathy
Which breed of cattle is predisposed to primary dilated cardiomyopathy?
Holstein Friesians
List five causes of secondary arrhythmias in cattle
Hypocalcaemia
Hypomagnesaemia
Endotoxaemia
Abdominal pain
Intestinal disease
What is the most common arrhythmia heard in dairy cattle?
Atrial fibrillation
What should you do if a dairy cow presents with persistent atrial fibrillation?
Recommend culling
List five underlying causes of secondary dilated cardiomyopathy in cattle
Selenium deficiency
Copper deficiency
Cobalt deficiency
Toxins
Viral infections
Which disease can cause secondary dilated cardiomyopathy in sheep?
Foot and mouth disease
What is the most common congenital cardiac disease seen in cattle?
Ventricular septal defects
What is the prognosis for cows with ventricular septal defects?
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
