Sudden Death Flashcards
Rule outs for sudden death will depend on what?
the interval and intensity of observation
for instance, lactating dairy cows are observed most often (2-3x/day) whereas stockers and feedlot cattle might only be seen once a week.
what are the 4 cardiovascular causes of sudden death in cattle?
- selenium deficiency/white muscle disease (young animal –> exertion –> arrhythmia and death)
- Rupture of major arteries (aorta, cranial mesenteric, or uterine; can occur as result of copper deficiency)
- cardiac tamponade (hardware dz, heart tumors)
- arrhythmias
what are the 2 respiratory causes of sudden death in cattle?
- pneumonia
- bloat (dietary, positional, or choke)
T/F: a bloat line is pathognomonic for sudden death caused by bloat
false – bloating a natural post-mortem occurrence, so the bloat line can be apparent whether or not bloat was the actual cause of death.
what is a GI cause of sudden death in cattle?
rupture abomasal or cecal ulcer –> severe peritonitis
(can be due to Copper Deficiency or C. perfringens)
How does gram - mastitis, salmonella, and grain overload cause sudden death in cattle?
endotoxemia from the bacterial organisms
How does blackleg cause sudden death in cattle?
clostridium chauveoi releases exotoxins
what organism leads to enterotoxemia and causes sudden death in cattle?
C. perfringens
How does anthrax cause sudden death in cattle?
produces lethal factor and edema factor
these animals will have lack of rigor mortis, be bleeding from orifices, and if you cut their ear the blood will not clot. Do not do necropsy! call the state vet.
how does hypocalcemia cause sudden death in cattle?
lack of muscle contraction and nerve conduction –> heart failure
how does hypomagnesemia cause sudden death in cattle?
affects nerve conduction and neurologic function
can cause them to be down, paddling, and having tonic-clonic seizures
T/F: salt intoxication or water deprivation can cause sudden death in cattle
true
what are examples of exogenous toxins that can cause sudden death in cattle?
- lead
- copper toxicosis in sheep
- japenese yew
- nitrates
- cyanogenic plant
- urea toxicosis
- monensin toxicosis
- insecticides
who is at highest risk for cold-induced sudden death?
neonates
T/F: heat stress can cause sudden death in any age of cattle.
true