Sudden Death in Ruminants Flashcards
What needs to be ruled out before investigating in a cow that has died suddenly?
Anthrax
If there are no other clinical signs and a cow is found having died suddenly then who needs to be contacted?
APHA - government veterinary service
What is the first question we should ask when presented with a “sudden death”?
Was it really a sudden death?
What does sudden death usually mean?
Found dead
Died since last inspection
What are some examples of true sudden deaths?
Accidents
Trauma
Lightning strike
Overwhelming septicaemia
What is one of the first things that should be done when an animal is found dead?
Move animals off the pasture immediately
What should be looked at first before assessing the animal in sudden death?
Environment - Walk perimeter and look in ditches Poisonous plants Ask about changes Look for hedge/plant cuttings Burnt out cars Feed
What four things should be asked about when taking a history of farm animals with sudden death?
Number/groups/fields/ages
Progression of signs
Vaccination and worming history
Management
What should be done on a distant examination when presented with sudden death?
Assess rest of herd
Remove clearly sick or affected individuals
Do a closer examination of these animals
What is absolutely important with sudden death animals?
Post mortem examination
What is a good idea to do with post mortems instead of carrying them out yourself?
Send them off to the VLA
What do post-mortems allow?
On the spot diagnosis
What do you need to ensure you’ve done before leaving the farm with sudden cases?
Discuss actions
What do you need to ensure you do later on in sudden death cases?
Report lab results
Follow-up
What are the six main causes of sudden death?
Infectious Toxicity Metabolic disease Nutritional Other Ditching
What shouldn’t we assume if a poison is present?
All animals were exposed to it
What needs to be checked with infectious causes of sudden death?
Standard vaccination protocols have been followed
What predisposes animals to sudden death from infectious causes?
Good nutrition
High stocking density
Flooding
How can infectious causes of sudden death by diagnosed?
History
Clinical signs noted
Changes in mucous membrane colour
PME
What is not available for clostridial vaccination in goats?
Vaccination protocol
What are two main causes of infectious anaemia caused sudden death?
Haemonchus
Fasciola
How can toxicity caused sudden death be diagnosed?
History - access to plants, all deaths in same field
Search of field
PME - leaves iqn rumen
What are “Dead Men’s Fingers”?
Tubers of Water Hemlock Dropwort
Usually exposed after clearing ditches or heavy rain
What is the major problem with toxicity in feeds?
Will rapidly affect all animals within the herd
What three things can mineral toxicity be caused by?
Iatrogenic - over supplementation
Animals fed wrong type of feed
Error at feed manufacturer
What would alert you to grass staggers?
Wet weather Cold weather Lush pastures No magnesium supplementation High levels of potassium on pasture
What can be caused by Vitamin B1 deficiency?
Cerebro-cortical necrosis
What three things can cause sudden death with a change in GIT function?
Acidosis
Bloat
Gut torsion
What are the two places where sudden death occurs having been caused by deficiency of essential nutrients?
Intrinsic - change in micro flora
CCN
Extrinsic - water deprivation
Why can water being turned off with a group of pigs be a major problem?
Extended time without water Water turned back on Drink loads Salt poisoning Brain oedema Death
