Neurological Disorders Flashcards
Accidental, single-event intoxications usually have (high/low) morbidity in a (extended/short) period of time.
Accidental, single-event intoxications usually have high morbidity in a short period of time.
Multiple-event intoxications usually have (high/low) morbidity in a (extended/short) period of time.
Multiple-event intoxications usually have low morbidity spread over an extended period of time.
Infectious diseases spread (slowly/quickly) through a group during a (short/extended) period of time.
Infectious diseases spread quickly through a group during a short period of time.
What do you want to know about the diet of cattle when you are suspcious of neurological disease?
a. composition
b. recent changes
c. access to water
what are the 3 causes of polioencephalomalacia in cattle?
- ingestion of plants containing thiaminases
- lack of production of thiaminase
- consuming diet containing >0.4% sulfur
How would lack of production of thiaminases occur in order to cause PEM in cattle?
Rumen acidosis from too much high-starch grain.
but this rarely occurs.
What type of diets could contain >0.4% sulfur and cause PEM in cattle?
high levels of corn gluten or distillers grain
What are the MAJOR clinical signs associated with PEM in cattle? (4)
- blindness + stargazing
- staggering
- down
- seizures
more in-depth answer:
early – dull, inappetant, blind, hyperesthesia, muscle tremors
later – ataxia, head-pressing, dorso-medial strabismus
latest – recumbency, opishtotonus, coma or seizures
_________ is a co-factor for enzymes associated with energy production in the brain. A deficiency would reduce energy available for Na/water transport mechanisms in the cells of the brain.
thiamine (vitamin B1)
deficiency causes the cells of the cerebral cortex to swell (cerebral edema), intracranial pressure increases leading to eventual cerebral-cortical necrosis.
what are the 3 major differential diagnoses for a case of polioencephalomalacia?
- lead posioning
- vitamin A deficiency
- salt intoxication / water deprivation
You treat non-sulfur induced cause of PEM with thiamine BID for 1-2 days. How quickly should you expect their response to be?
within 5 min-1 hr
they are usually better after 1-2 doses.
What is the difference between treating sulfur-induced versus non-sulfur induced PEM cases?
Both get treated with thiamine.
non-sulfur: treatment is for 1-2 days & pts improve very rapidly (5 min- 1 hr)
sulfur-induced: treated for 3-5 days; improve in 1-6 hrs, but can take days to 100% improve. AND there is good chance for relapse if you stop the tx too early.
If a cow with PEM is unable/unwilling to drink or eat, what else should be included in their treatment plan?
- oral fluids, electrolytes, minerals
- alfalfa pellet slurry
- transfaunation
what are the potential sources of lead?
- batteries (#1)
- used motor oil
- shot?
- roofing felt
- lead-based paint
- machinery grease
- caulking compounds
T/F: cattle develop lead poisoning only if they ingest small levels for long periods of time.
false – this is possible, but also a single larger dose can cause intoxication. this is the difference between acute and chronic lead intoxication.