Sudden Death

Question 1

Differentials for sudden death in cattle?

Answer 1

Haemorrhage - calving injury, abomasal ulceration
Yew toxicity
Lightening
Electrocution
Hypomagnaesaemia 
Hypocalcaemia
Toxic mastitis / metritis 
Bloat
Blacks disease - Cl. Hameolyticum - associated with fasciola hepatica 
Black leg - Cl. chauvoei 
Anthraxd

Question 2

What are the post mortem findings with anthrax?

Answer 2

No rigor mortis
No clotted blood
Black tarry blood

Question 3

What should you do if you suspect a cause of anthrax on a farm?

Answer 3

Report to the AHPA immediately

They will send an OV to do the test

Question 4

How should you investigate a sudden death?

Answer 4

1. Observe the scene - downed pylons, under a tree (lightening)
2. Signs of a struggle? - hypomagnesaemia
3. Identify the animal
4. Take a sample from the ear vein
5. Take a sample from the jugular vein
6. Incise the tail or ear vein to check for clotting
   - an animal with anthrax will not be able to coagulate
7. Take a swab of the blood and place in a transport medium
8. Create 2 thick blood smears
9. Heat fix one blood smear - reduce the risk of anthrax spread
10. Stain with polychrome methylene blue for 3 minutes
11. Wash off
12. Examine under a microscope
13. Check for anthrax
14. Email forms with an authorisation number

Question 5

When would you be suspicious of sudden death by electrocution?

Answer 5

Burn marks at entry and exit points