Sudden death Flashcards
Which body systems are most likely to result in sudden death?
Cardiovascular, respiratory, neurologic
What are the main cardiovascular causes of sudden death in cows?
Selenium deficiency/white muscle disease: causes sudden death in young animals after exertion, diagnosis if white streaks found through muscle on necropsy
Rupture of aorta, cranial mesenteric or uterine artery
Cardiac tamponade: can be due to hardware disease or a heart tumor, diagnose on necropsy
Arrythmias
What are the main respiratory causes of sudden death?
Pneumonia (lack of observation in prey species due to stoicism)
-diagnose due to lung consolidation on necropsy
Bloat: can be due to diet (grains or legumes), positional (stuck downhill) or choke (apples or potatoes)
What is important to note about bloat postmortem?
It may be a postmortem finding! Can happen within hours in the summer, days in the winter
How should you interpret a bloat line?
Must consider history closely as it may be a post-mortem artifact and often is not the cause of death
What are the common etiologies responsible for ruptured abomasal or cecal ulcers?
Copper deficiency or C perfringes
What bacteria are the most likely to cause endotoxemia?
-Ecoli or pseudomonas from systemic mastitis
-salmonella
What is a third cause of endotoxemia?
Grain overload
What is the one exotoxin releasing bacteria we discussed that can lead to sudden death?
Clostridium chauvoei
What bacteria leads to enterotoxemia?
C perfringes
What are the main postmortem findings with anthrax?
Hemorrhage from orifices and lack of rigor
- due to lethal and edema factor release
Why does hypocalcemia lead to sudden death?
Leads to lack of muscle contraction which can cause heart failure
How can hypomagnesemia lead to sudden death?
Impaired nerve conduction and neuro function
-tonic-clonic seizures common
What are the common causes of salt intoxication?
Sudden influx of water after water deprivation- such as in the case of frozen water source/broken waterer which is chopped/fixed
What are some common exogenous toxins that can lead to sudden death?
Lead, copper in small ruminants, japenese yew, nitrates, cyanogenic plants, urea toxicosis, monensin toxicosis, insecticides
