Thin beef cow

Question 1

How do you determine if a cow has a BCS > or < 6

Answer 1

If there is fat in the tailhead she is 6 or over, if no fat 5 or less

Question 2

What are some individual problems that can lead to weight loss regardless of herd nutrition?

Answer 2

Age, lameness, chronic disease

Question 3

What calving interval is it easier to have cows in good BCS?

Answer 3

Fall, as they were able to graze on lush pasture all summer

Question 4

When do the 3rd pair of incisors become in wear?

Answer 4

3.5 years

Question 5

At what approximate age does the tooth neck on the third incisor start to show?

Answer 5

8 years

Question 6

What are the 3 causes of swelling in the mandibular region of cows?

Answer 6

Lumpy jaw, abscesses, bottle jaw

Question 7

What are the pathophysiologic causes of bottle jaw?

Answer 7

Hypoproteinemia/anemia and right sided heart failure

Question 8

What are the 2 main causes of right sided heart failure?

Answer 8

Endocarditis and hardware disease

Question 9

What are the 3 main clinical signs of traumatic reticulopericarditis?

Answer 9

1. Bottle Jaw
2. Murmur
3. Enlarged jugular veins

Question 10

What is the treatment for traumatic reticuloperitonitis?

Answer 10

Consider slaughter unless owner is willing to commit to antibiotics for 7-10 days

Question 11

What is the treatment for hardware disease?

Answer 11

Magnet, NSAIDs, antibiotics
- treatment success depends on severity

Question 12

What are the clinical signs of bacterial endocarditis?

Answer 12

Murmur, distended jugular vein, jugular pulses

Question 13

What is Johnes disease?

Answer 13

A chronic mycobacterium paratuberculosis infection of the ileum and regional lymph nodes of cattle, sheep and goats resulting in weight loss and diarrhea

Question 14

How is Mycobacterium Paratuberculosis transmitted?

Answer 14

Fecal-oral route in neonatal calves through injection of contaminated milk, colostrum, water or feed
-can also be infected in utero (<25%)
-infection of older cows occurs infrequently

Question 15

Describe the pathophysiology of M paratuberculosis infections?

Answer 15

After ingestion, bacteria is taken up by cells in terminal ileum where it multiplies and causes thickening/chronic inflammation
- thickened intestine is less able to absorb nutrients
-affected cattle initially have evidence of malabsorption including weight loss despite a normal appetite
-the inflamed intestine loses protein from blood into intestinal lumen- aka protein losing enteropathy

Question 16

What is the prevalence of M paratuberculosis?

Answer 16

7-18% of cattle affected worldwide
-occurs more commonly in dairy than beef (25-35% of all herds)

Question 17

Describe the progression of clinical signs with Johnes disease?

Answer 17

1. Weight loss with a good appetite
2. Intermittent diarrhea
3. Persistent diarrhea
4. Dull, lethargy, emaciation, dehydration, bottle jaw
5. Death

Question 18

What percent of cattle can be identified as positive for M paratuberculosis with diagnostic tests?

Answer 18

35-50%

Question 19

What is the preferred screening test for Johnes in a herd?

Answer 19

Blood or milk ELISA

Question 20

What is the preferred test to identify an individual with Johnes?

Answer 20

Fecal PCR

Question 21

Name some methods for preventing and controlling infection with M paratuberculosis?

Answer 21

1. Preventing newborn and young calves through ingesting feces from infected adults through separating calves from dams at birth, feeding Johnes free colostrum or milk replacer
2. Reducing total farm environmental contamination by culling cattle that are shedding the bacteria

Question 22

Is there a vaccine for Johnes disease?

Answer 22

Yes but it is heavily restricted as it can interfere with TB testing