Bloat, Choke, and Wires

Question 1

What are the three locations that an esophageal obstruction is likely to occur in cattle?

Answer 1

(Thoracic inlet, right after the pharynx, and base of the heart)

Question 2

Why would a cow with an esophageal obstruction have an increased lactate?

Answer 2

(Bc she is unable to swallow her saliva which contains sodium bicarb, could also be d/t dehydration)

Question 3

Why would a cow with an esophageal obstruction be hypokalemic and hypophosphatemic?

Answer 3

(Hypokalemia → not eating but still losing potassium, hypophosphatemia → not swallowing her saliva which contains phosphorus)

Question 4

What can you do to aid in your decision to treat potential aspiration pneumonia after an esophageal obstruction case?

Answer 4

(Listen to the lungs, if sounds are harsh go ahead and treat, if not tell producer to keep an eye on them)

Question 5

Esophageal obstruction is more likely to occur in what time period after you clear the initial obstruction?

Answer 5

(Within 24 hours)

Question 6

When checking the pH of rumen fluid, you should make sure it is definitely rumen fluid and not what other substance that can throw off your pH results?

Answer 6

(Saliva)

Question 7

Why should you auscultate the lungs in a bloat case?

Answer 7

(If there is pneumonia and subsequent swelling of the bronchial lnn, they could be pushing on the esophagus and preventing eructation, there could also be aspiration pneumonia after bloating)

Question 8

You should especially palpate the esophagus of calves if they bloated, why is that?

Answer 8

(Checking for a thymoma)

Question 9

What are your treatment options for frothy bloat? 4 answers.

Answer 9

(Poloxalene, mineral oil, dish washing soap, or a permanent trocar)

Question 10

Optimally after administering a surfactant in a case of frothy bloat, you would tube the gas out of her rumen instead of depending on her to eructate on her own, why is that?

Answer 10

(Bc she is less likely to eructate on her own due to the distension)