SUPPORTIVE CARE - Farm Animals Flashcards
What are the seven main differences between providing supportive care to farm animals compared to small animals and equids?
- Limited time on the farm
- Re-checks are rare due to the added expense
- Most farm animals are not insured
- Farmers usually have to carry out the nursing and they may have varying capabilities
- Limited hospitilisation facilities
- Limited options for referral
- Farmers often have access to drugs so may begin medicating the animal before you even arrive
If farm animals are insured, which type of insurance is it usually?
Loss of use insurance
What point of care diagnostic testing can you do on a farm?
Clinical examination
Urinalysis
Ketone meter
Brix refractometer
California milk test (CMT)
Calf scour ELISA
What does a Brix refractometer test?
A Brix refractometer tests the quality of colostrum
(T/F) Medication is most commonly administered orally in farm animals
FALSE. Medication is most commonly administered via injection in farm animals
Where should you administer intramuscular injections in farm animals?
The muscles in the neck
Why should you avoid administering intramuscular injections in the rump in farm animals?
You want to avoid intramuscular injections into the rump as you can potentially damage the muscle and this is one of the most valuable portions of the carcass
Where should you administer subcutaneous injections in farm animals?
In the skin behind the shoulder or the skin at the neck
Which three NSAIDS are licensed in cows in the UK?
Flunixin
Ketoprofen
Meloxicam
(T/F) NSAIDS are only licensed for short term treatment in cattle
TRUE. NSAIDS are only licensed for 1 to 5 days of treatment in cattle
(T/F) Steroids are not licensed in cattle
FALSE. Steroids are licensed in cattle
Which α2 adrenoreceptor agonists are licensed in cattle in the UK?
Xylazine
Detomidine
Remember α2 agonists are good sedatives but poor analgesics
Which local anaesthetics are licensed in cattle in the UK?
Procaine
Lidocaine
(T/F) Epidural administration of local anaesthetics is not licensed in cows
TRUE. However epidural administration of local anaesthetics is used very commonly in cattle under the cascade
Which analgesic drugs are liscened in sheep in the UK?
No analgesics are licensed in sheep in the UK
Which NSAID is best to use for sheep under the cascade?
Meloxicam as it is licensed for sheep in other countries
What are the clinical signs of mild dehydration in a ruminant (4-7% fluid deficit)?
Skin tent for 2-3 seconds
Slightly sunken eyes
CRT of 2-3 seconds
Moist and shiny mucous membranes
What are the clinical signs of moderate dehydration in a ruminant (8-10% fluid deficit)?
Cold and dry nose
Skin tent for 3-6 seconds
Obviously sunken eyes
CRT of 4-5 seconds
Dull and tacky mucous membranes
What are the clinical signs of severe dehydration in a ruminant (over 10% fluid deficit)?
Weakness
Collapsed
Skin tend over 6 seconds
Severely sunken eyes
CRT over 5 seconds
Dry mucous membranes
How to you calculate the total fluid requirement for a farm animal patient?
Total fluid requirement = Maintenance fluids + Fluid deficit + Ongoing losses
Go over the farm animal fluid quiz in M14.W3 for practice