Unit 1 - PE and Restraint of the Ruminant Flashcards
What PE observations can be made prior to touching the patient?
Attitude, dehydration, BCS, and posture/gait
What BCS scale do dairy cattle use?
A scale of 1-5
What BCS scale do beef cattle use?
A scale of 1-9
What bony prominences should you see when observing the side of a cow?
Pins, thurl, hooks, and short ribs
Identify A.
Pins
Identify B.
Hooks
Identify C.
Thurl
Identify D.
Short ribs
What bony prominences should you see when observing the rear of a cow?
Short ribs, hooks, sacral ligament, pins, tailhead ligament, and thurl
Identify A.
Short ribs
Identify B.
Hooks
Identify C.
Sacral ligament
Identify D.
Pins
Identify E.
Tailhead ligament
Identify F.
Thurl
Describe a locomotion score of 1 in a cow.
Normal - stands and walks normally with a level back. Makes long confident strides.
Describe a locomotion score of 2 in a cow.
Mildly lame - stands with a flat back, but arches when walks. Gait is slightly abnormal
Describe a locomotion score of 3 in a cow.
Moderately lame - stands and walks with an arched back and short strides with one or more legs. Slight sinking of dew claws in limb opposite to the affected limb may be evident.
Describe a locomotion score of 4 in a cow.
Lame - Arched back standing and walking. Favoring one or more limbs, but can still bear some weight on them. Sinking of the dew claws is evident in the limb opposite to the affected limb
Describe a locomotion score of 5 in a cow.
Severely lame - Pronounced arching of back. Reluctant to move, with almost complete weight transfer of the affected limb
What are some methods of restraint in a cow?
Chute, haltering, tailing, nose lead, and casting techniques
Haltering allows for control of the animal’s _____.
head
What is the proper placement for a cow halter?
Lead on the left side, the part that draws goes under the jaw, and ensure that the halter runs over the back of both ears and the poll
How is tailing done?
Firmly lift the tail upwards, arching over the cow’s back
When is tailing used?
It is used as a temporary distraction technique for procedures that cause minor discomfort
Explain a nose lead.
A digital pinch or clamp device that puts pressure on the nasal septum
When is a nose lead used?
It is used as a temporary distraction technique for procedures that cause minor discomfort
When are casting techniques typically used?
To cast an animal for surgical procedures
What is an alternative to Reuff’s method of casting?
Place the first loop between the forelimbs to prevent choking during casting
When is urine collection best done?
Before thoroughly examining the animal
How do you induce urination in a heifer/cow?
manual stimulation of the perineal area
How do you induce urination in a steer/bull?
Stimulation of the prepuce
How do you induce urination in a small ruminant?
The breath holding technique (plug their noses and close their mouth) - be careful
What external observations should be made during the PE of the ruminant?
Check hair coat for external parasites, confirmation/contours of the abdomen, abnormal masses, pattern of breathing, consistency of fecal material, anal tone, and tail tone