Top 20 Bovine Diseases

Question 1

What acid-base abnormality would be most likely in a dairy cow with a displaced abomasum?

Answer 1

Metabolic alkalosis.” A displaced abomasum in a dairy cow can lead to hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis due to the sequestration of hydrochloric acid (HCl) in the abomasum. Metabolic acidosis can occur due to HCO3-loss from diarrhea or saliva loss if the animal cannot swallow.

Question 2

A 2-year old Angus cow is presented with weakness of the hind limbs and a staggering gait. On physical exam, the heart rate and respiratory rate are slow and irregular, and the pupils are dilated. The cow’s breath and urine smell like the odor of mouse urine. Suddenly the cow’s pulse becomes rapid and thready, she collapses, and dies of apparent respiratory failure. Which one of the following plants is most likely to have caused this spectrum of clinical signs?
A - Pinus ponderosa (Western yellow pine)
B - Veratrum spp (False hellebore, Skunk cabbage)
C - Centaurea spp (Knapweed, Yellow star thistle)
D - Conium maculatum (Poison hemlock)
E - Tetradymia spp (Horsebrush)

Answer 2

Conium maculatum (Poison hemlock).
Poisoning with Conium maculatum is responsible for the death of the cow described. Signs of toxicity include nervousness, trembling, weakness especially of the hind limbs, weak pulse, irregular heart rate, recumbency, coma, and death. A mousy odor exuding from the urine and breath is pathognomonic.