Indigestion, DA, Cecal, and SI Flashcards

1
Q

What is a DA?

A

Displaced abomasum – occurs when gas accumulates in the abomasum and the abomasum “floats” either to the left or to the right becoming trapped between the abdominal wall and adjacent viscera.

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2
Q

Which of the following statements is FALSE about displaced abomasum?
A. associated with post-partum diseases
B. occurs most commonly in the 3rd week postpartum
C. associated with high-grain diets
D. occurs in high-producing dairy cows

A

B. occurs most commonly in the 3rd week postpartum

occurs most commonly within the first TWO weeks postpartum

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3
Q

Why would cows with elevated NEFAs (non-esterified fatty acids) or BHBA (beta hydroxybutyric acid) during prepartum and postpartum periods have increased chances of absomasal displacement?

A

both NEFA and BHBA increase during the breakdown of fat usually due to inadequate dry matter intake or the energy demands of the fetus or milk production.

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4
Q

You are called out to a farm to examine 2 cows that are 1.5 weeks post-partum. The farmer states they are not eating. When you arrive, you see that they are not chewing their cud. On exam, their rumen motility is decreased. You get a ping when you percuss the left lower third of her abdomen (at the level of the 8th intercostal space and beyond the last rib).
You choose to perform a Liptak test on these cows. You insert the needle below where you heard the pings. What do you expect their pH values to be if these girls have left displaced abomasums?

A

the abomasal pH is 2-4, whereas the rumen pH is 5.5-8.

if LDA, the pH would be 2-4

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5
Q

You perform bloodwork and take urine samples on a sick cow. Her bloodwork shows she is alkalotic. Her urine results show that her urine is acidic. You realize this cow has paradoxical aciduria. What is the pathophysiology of this state?

A

When a cow becomes alkalotic, so tries to CONSERVE hydrogen ions.

But, because of the dehydration and reduced cardiac output, the blood pressure becomes DECREASED.

The cow will respond to this by renal retention of sodium and chloride. Normally, potassium (K+) would be exchanged, but hypokalemia is usually severe so hydrogen ions (H+) are secreted so that blood pressure can be maintained by maximum sodium retention.

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6
Q

what does the chemistry for a cow with LDA/RDA usually look like? (4 components)

A
  1. alkalotic
  2. hypochloremic
  3. hypokalemic
  4. hypocalcemic.
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7
Q

How can you tell a cow has a right TORSED abomasum as opposed to just being displaced?

A

Usually she will have signs of shock – decreased CRT, cool extremities, HR >100, acutely ill, dehydrated

and she will have abdominal distension and borborygmi

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8
Q

A farmer calls you to the farm to check out one of his cows thats been acting weird every since she gave birth 1 week ago. He states that generally, her milk production is down about 10 lbs. Some days she acts like she does not feel good (anorexia, etc.), but then others she is completely normal. You do not ausculate a ping when you percuss in the general location of a DA.
What could be going on here?

A

floating displaced abomasum

this may or may not develo into a full DA. Sometimes you can hear a ping with these. This occurs when a cow is brought in for DA surgery and upon arrival you cannot hear the ping.

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9
Q

What is the NONSURGICAL treatment for LDAs?

A
  1. lay in right lateral recumb. and roll her to her left side so that the abomasum can float up and over. Remain here for 5-10 min to allow for abomasal gas and contents to empty
  2. oral fluids
  3. replace the Cl, K, and Ca deficits (KCl, NaCl, CaCl)
  4. fix ketosis (IV dextrose, propylene glycol/propionate)
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10
Q

T/F: the typical non-surgical treatment used for LDA’s cannot be used in cases of RDA’s as it can cause RTA

A

true
The nonsurgical treatment entails laying the cow in right lateral and rolling her to the left side so that the abomasum will float up and over and the abomasal gas will empty.
This is ONLY an option for LDAs.

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11
Q

Describe the Roll-and-tack (surgical method) to correct LDAs only?

A

Lay cow in right lateral recumb., pull cow on her back slowly while pushing on area of abomasum. Listen for ping when abomasum is just to the right of the distal sternal process. Punch trocar through abdomen to release gas. Drop toggle into trocar, remove trocar and repeat 3 inches caudal to first trocarization. Tie the 2 toggle leads together. Turn the cow over to the left. Stand her up and listen for a ping

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12
Q

which surgical technique can be used to correct ALL abomasal displacements?

A

right flank omentopexy

enter right PLF; reach across the rumen and stick needle attached to a drip set into the abomasum to remove gas.
Once the abomasum is deflated, push it down into the correct spot.
Grab omentum and pull it into the incision until the pylorus is located.
At the level of the pylorus, suture the omentum into the first layer of body wall closure.

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13
Q

Describe how to perform a right paramedian abomasopexy?

A

roll cow on her back
enter abdomen on the right lateral to the midline and caudal to the sternum
suture the abomasal wall to the body wall while closing the peritoneum and muscle bellies

this procedure gets good exposure but does risk possible dehiscence.

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14
Q

What procedure is described as the following:
- Enter the left PLF and locate the abomasum
- Place 2 horizontal mattress sutures in the greater curvature of abomasum
- Deflate the abomasum and replace it
- Direct the 2 sutures to the right and caudal of the distal sternum. Punch needles thru ventral abdominal wall and tie ends of sutures together.

A

Left flank abomasopexy

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15
Q

What are the adjunctive treatments involved in repairing DAs?

A
  1. Fluids (oral – 10 gal water with salt) to restore fluid deficit, add weight to keep abomasum in place, and stimulate the rumen. Can do IV fluids for RTA is severely dehydrated.
  2. Calcium propionate to correct hypocalcemia
  3. Probiotics to compensate for rumen changes
  4. NSAIDs
  5. Calcium therapy to get muscular contractions going again
  6. if ketotic, glucose orally and 50% dextrose IV.
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16
Q

what is the prognosis for LDA/RDA versus RTA?

A

LDA/RDA – good if not left for a long time and as long as predisposing conditions are resolved

RTA – poor because vascular compromise

animals that have diarrhea prior to correction has worser prognoses. In general, abomasal atony and diarrhea may occur post-correction

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17
Q

How can we prevent DAs? (5)

A
  1. decrease incidence of postpartum diseases
  2. prevent hypocalcemic conditions
  3. increase effective fiber in diets and reduce grain
  4. transition ration to get cattle used to eating high-grain ration
  5. introduce cattle to concentrate slowly.
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18
Q

A swine producer calls you out to the farm to investigate a pig that was found dead. Upon examining the body, it seems relatively normal. You perform necropsy and you see ulcers in the pars esophagea with blood clots in the stomach. You give this animal a diagnosis of gastric ulcers. What are 5 common causes associated with gastric ulcers in swine?

A
  1. stress
  2. finely ground grain
  3. vitamin E and Se deficiency
  4. copper toxicity
  5. irregular feedings
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19
Q

A swine producer calls you out to the farm to investigate a pig that has been grinding its teeth, not eating, and has bloody tarry feces. Upon examination, you see pale mucous membranes and evidence of the tarry feces. You presumptively diagnose this pig with gastric ulcers. What is the treatment?

A
  1. aluminum hydroxide
  2. magnesium silicate
  3. Tagamet cimetidine
  4. oats/alfalfa hay
  5. omeprazole
  6. reduce stress
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20
Q

When are abomasal ulcers MOST commonly seen in dairy cows?

A

during high production in early lactation.

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21
Q

What are some potential causes of abomasal ulcers? (5)

A
  1. stress (calving, lactation)
  2. diet (high grain)
  3. lymphosarcoma of abomasum
  4. in calves, when begin eating solid feed (assoc with Cu deficiency or being on milk for long periods of time)
  5. NSAIDs
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22
Q

You are called to a dairy farm to check a dairy cow who is in early lactation. She has not been eating and has decreased milk production. On exam, you note decreased rumen motility and evidence of dark tarry feces. What is your diagnosis?

A

abomasal ulcers.

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23
Q

how do you treat cows with abomasal ulcers?

A
  1. change their diet to more forage and less concentrate
  2. blood transfusion if necessary
  3. treat for peritonitis if necessary (abs and fluids)
24
Q

What is a highly fatal intestinal disease of predominantly dairy cattle in early lactation (first 100 days)?

A

hemorrhagic bowel syndrome

25
Q

T/F: diets high in protein and energy content as well as reduced fiber are associated with hemorrhagic bowel syndrome

A

true

26
Q

Hemorrhagic bowel syndrome has been associated with overgrowth of what bacterial organism?

A

clostridium perfringens type A

but Aspergillus fumigatus may also be involved in the development of dz.

27
Q

On necropsy of a dairy cow, you see segmental/multifocal hemorrhages within the small intestine (primarily jejunum). You see distention with purple-red discoloration due to intraluminal and intermural blood clots. What is the diagnosis?

A

hemorrhagic bowl syndrome

28
Q

What clinical signs would you expect to see in a case of hemorrhagic bowel syndrome?

A
  • debilitated, dying, or dead
  • increased HR, RR
  • pale MM
  • low temp
  • progressive abdominal distention
  • reduced fecal output and signs of colic
  • low pitched pings in lower right quadrant from gas-distended loops of bowel
  • bloody feces +/- blood clots.
29
Q

what is the typical treatment for hemorrhagic bowel syndrome?

A
  • treat shock (fluids, NSAIDs, penicillin)
  • surgery (break down clots to relieve intestinal blockage)

note that successful tx is rare.

30
Q

what are measures you can take to prevent hemorrhagic bowel syndrome?

A
  • identify management procedures that reduce the cows immune status
  • ration formulation for transition and lactation periods
  • silage management to reduce mold
31
Q

Intussusception occurs MOST commonly in what age of cattle?

A

calves less than 2 months old.

can occur in adults if predisposing factors present such as lymphosarcoma.

32
Q

Describe the pathophysiology of intussesception

A

the oral portion of the gut is engulfed and propelled distally into enveloping portion
can be followed by severe peritonitis and toxic shock if the gut ruptures.

*jejunum is most common

33
Q

what are potential causes for intussusception?

A
  1. idiopathic
  2. enteric viruses
  3. parasites
  4. abrupt dietary changes
34
Q

what clinical signs do you expect to see with calves that have intussusception?

A

sudden onset of pain/colic
depressed and anorexic
abdomen slowly distends overly several days

35
Q

how do you treat intussusception in calves?

A
  1. fluids and antibiotics
  2. surgical correction

sometimes intussusception sloughs out after a few days and the animal goes on with life.

36
Q

what is the prognosis for intussusception?

A

good if treated early

poor if ileus develops or if peritonitis is present.

37
Q

T/F: small intestinal volvulus is sporadic

A

true

38
Q

what clinical signs do you expect to see in a cow with small intestinal volvulus?

A

acute onset of increased RR and HR, very painful, and rapid abdominal enlargement

39
Q

You are called to a farm because the farmer noticed one of his cows is having rapid abdominal enlargement. When you get there, the HR and RR are severely elevated. You percuss the cow and get a ping over the right PLF. On rectal palpation you feel a distended mass. What is the diagnosis?

A

small intestinal volvulus.

very poor prognosis

40
Q

You are called to a farm to investigate a cow that has not been eating and her milk production is down. The farmer placed her in a separate area for monitoring and noticed that she hasn’t produced much feces. When you arrive, you perform rectal palpation and feel a dilated cecum (feels like loaf of bread or long balloon). When you percuss her, you get a ping over the right lumbar area from the ribs back to tuber coxae. What is your diagnosis?

A

cecal dilation

(could be retroflexion or torsion as well)

41
Q

What is the treatment for a simple cecal dilation?

A
  1. oral fluids with laxatives
  2. calcium supplementation
  3. forage diet
  4. exercise
42
Q

What is your treatment protocol for a cow that has cecal tosion?

A

surgery
decompress, empty, detorse.

43
Q

how can you prevent cecal dilation/retroflexion/torsion?

A

increase forage in ration
decrease grain

44
Q

_________ is a condition in lactating dairy cattle that mimics complete intestinal obstruction.

A

ileus

45
Q

You are called to a farm because the farmer notes that one of his lactating dairy cows is off feed and showing mild colic signs. On rectal palpation, you note little to no feces. The is sticky mucus with a stale odor. You also note decreased rumen motility and she pings on her right side. You opt to do some bloodwork and it comes back normal. What is the diagnosis?

A

ileus

46
Q

what is the treatment for ileus (pseudoobstruction)?

A
  1. watch closely
  2. fluids
  3. probitoics
  4. calcium, NaCl, and K
  5. surgery – manipulate the intestines and remove gas.
47
Q

T/F: ileus usually resolves on its own.

A

true – its commonly confused with simple indigestion

48
Q

There is some thought that atresia ani results from rectal palpation of pregnant uterus around day ___.

A

42

49
Q

You are called to a farm because the farmer reports that a newborn calf is not producing any feces. The calf has been depressed and off feed. What is diagnosis?

A

atresia ani/recti/coli

would be able to determine by physical examination

50
Q

T/F: calves can go several weeks with atresia ani before being diagnosed. They simply get distended.

A

false – pigs!

51
Q

what is the treatment for atresia ani/recti/coli?

A

none- euthanasia

atresia ani can be treated by creation of ostium in some cases (if rectum is present)

52
Q

_________ is a condition in cattle in which excessive fat accumulates in and around abdominal organs. The fat furthermost from blood supply necroses and saponifies becoming rock hard.

A

fat necrosis

53
Q

Fat necrosis is common in what cattle breed?

A

Channel island breeds

54
Q

T/F: fat necrosis is usually subclinical and found on rectal palpation incidentally.

A

true

but also can have signs of weight loss, anorexia, diarrhea, abdominal enlargement and discomfort.

55
Q

what is the treatment for fat necrosis?

A

none