Bloat + traumatic reticulitis Flashcards
1
Q
What is rumen tympany? What are the types?
A
- bloat = accumulation of rumen gas sufficient to change contour of rumen (visible distension)
- 2 types =
- free gas bloat - less common - obstruction / animal unable to burp
- frothy bloat - more common - stable foam produced on top of rumen liquid which blocks the release of gas
2
Q
What are clinical signs of bloat?
A
- Rumen on LHS = distended left abdomen - continues = whole abdomen distended
- Painful = reluctant to move + eat, appear distressed + vocal
- Respiratory distress
- Can become fatal quickly
3
Q
What is free gas bloat?
A
- Loss of gas prevented =
- obstruction of oesophagus - foreign body (potato) / 2ary to chronic pneumonia - mediastinal abscess
- 2ary to other conditions which interfere with rumenoreticular motility (wire, vagal indigestion, milk fever, tetanus)
- posture - animal gets ‘cast’
4
Q
What is frothy bloat?
A
- Stable foam produced on top of rumen liquid = no gas release
- Occurs mainly in animals on pasture containing alfalfa, lucerne or clover
- Also seen in animals fed high levels of finely ground grain
5
Q
How is bloat diagnosed?
A
- Hx = especially feeding
- Clinical signs
6
Q
What is treatment of free gas bloat?
A
- Pass stomach tube
- Trochar (red devil) - in emergency / chronic bloat
- Treat underlying condition
7
Q
If bloat caused by oesophageal obstruction what is seen?
A
- Inability to swallow
- Regurgitation of feed + H2O
- Drooling
- Bloat
8
Q
What is aetiology of free gas bloat caused by oesophageal obstruction?
A
- Intra-luminal =
- Potatoes / turnips (cut up before feeding)
- Placenta
- Extra-luminal =
- Pressure by surrounding organs - mediastinal abscesses + tuberculous lymph nodes
9
Q
What is treatment of bloat if obstruction?
A
- Starve + observe
- Sedate
- Buscopan
- Flunixin
- may self resolve
* if not = manual removal = gag + pass hand to back of pharynx / probang with cutting loop / push into rumen with probang from cardia
10
Q
If unsuccessful removal of obstruction what should be done?
A
- Trocharise rumen to relieve bloat
- Feed via rumen
- Waill till obstruction passes
- Warn owner of possible oesophageal damage / necrosis
11
Q
What is treatment of frothy bloat?
A
- Pass stomach tube
- Trochar
- Need to dose with surfactant + exercise
- oils e.g. vegetable oil
- EMERGENCY = 4-6” incision L sub-lumbar fossa
12
Q
How can you prevent frothy bloat?
A
- Avoid high risk pastures at high risk times - soon after turn out, when wet
- Buffer feed
- Restrict access - strip graze
- Administer antifoaming agents - spray grass
- Cull animals with recurrent bloat
13
Q
What history suggest traumatic reticulitis?
A
- Sudden MILK drop - e.g. 20L to 5L
- Hunched up appearance
- Stiff gait
- Inappetent
- Often fed a TMR
14
Q
Where is the reticulum?
A
LHS - opposite 6-8th rib
15
Q
What is normal rumen contractions?
A
- 3 contractions every 2 mins