Cattle 2 Flashcards
(103 cards)
1
Q
What normally occurs after calving and why does metritis occur
A
○ Uterine fluid should be negligible 2-3 weeks after calving. - metritis - uterus does not contract properly and fluid is retained, allowing bacteria to grow.
○ Whole uterus of dairy cow should be palpable 10 days postpartum
○ Dairy cow’s uterus pre-pregnant size 40-50 days postpartum
- Lochia (uterine fluid, placental fragments, caruncles) discharged for 2 weeks postpartum
○ Normally red-brown, odourless. If it becomes stinking, uterus infected.
○ Discharge should cease by Day 30 postpartum at latest
- most bacteria are eliminated by uterine defences
2
Q
Acute septic metritis (puerperal metritis) what does severity depend on, clinical signs, treatment and a major risk factor for what
A
- Severity of infection depends on immune system, BCS of cow, nutrition, stress, bacterial species etc …
- Clinical signs
○ Infection starts to have systemic effects
○ High temp, depressed, foul smelling redish colored uterine fluid +/- membranes
Treatment
○ Controversial - many animals don’t die!
○ RFM – if the cow is not “sick” (pyrexic) wait 5-7 days
○ Manual removal – gently – stop if blood
○ My view – pessary always; parenteral antibiotics (alamycin) if pyrexic.
§ Pessaries -> antibiotic foam
Metritis is a big risk factor for endometritis
3
Q
Endometritis define, clinical signs and list some bacterial causes
A
- Inflammation of the endometrial lining of the uterus without systemic signs, associated with chronic postpartum infection of the uterus with pathogenic bacteria - normal 90% of cows HOWEVER if Persist beyond 3 wks – endometritis
Clinical signs
○ White discharge that DOESN’T SMELL
○ Cows are not sick
○ Causes lowered fertility if it persists
Causes
○ Arcanobacter pyogenes, Fusobacterium synergistic
○ Pseudomonas, E coli, Streptococcus,Staphylococcus,
○ clostridia - gangrenous
4
Q
Endometritis how to diagnose and what is important about incidence of uterine infection after calving
A
○ Visually - see white pussy discharge that doesn’t smell
○ Metricheck
§ May miss some smaller cases
○ Speculum
§ Pus coming out of the vagina
○ Vaginoscopy - cervical, vaginal discharge
○ Rectal palpation - not accurate
○ Ultrasound (uterine fluid) - not common
○ Biopsy - cumbersome, deleterious result to uterus sometimes - not common
Incidence -> longer you leave uterus after calving the more likely own mechanism will get rid of infection
5
Q
Endometritis list 7 risk factors
A
- RFMs or Metritis
- Stillbirth or calf dies within 24 hours
- Twins
- Dystocia
- Milk Fever
- Vulval discharge
- Calving induction
6
Q
Endometirtis treatment and control
A
Treatment ○ Controversial as tends to get better with time ○ Timing is important § 2 weeks before planned start of joining -> will lead to decreased fertility Intra-uterine - metricure - cephapyrin (1st gen) Control ○ Difficult ○ Basically a nutritional problem § reduce dystocia by selective breeding § ensure clean calving environment § reduce RFM adequate feeding – esp. post partum
7
Q
Pyometra pathogenesis and clinical presentation
A
Pathogenesis: ○ Chronic uterine infection ○ Damage to uterine wall ○ Does not produce PG ○ CL with an indefinite life span ○ No oestrus activity to remove infection presentation - Cow not sick - Uterus enlarged with doughy feel to it
8
Q
Pyometra treatment and prognosis
A
Treatment ○ Prostaglandin to induce oestrus to get cycling then give antibiotics (intrauterine) ○ Generally an incidental finding at preg testing (empty) so don't treat as should be pregnant so just cull Prognosis ○ Unlikely to die from it ○ Often found after joining has finished ○ Treatment often not undertaken ○ More longstanding -> less fertile
9
Q
Rectal examination what can palpate in what quadrants
A
○ Left dorsal
§ Rumen
§ Left kidney
§ Ovary
○ Left ventral:
§ Rumen
§ Uterus
○ Right dorsal
§ Left kidney
§ Lymph node
§ Small intestines
§ Cecum/spiral colon
§ Ovary
○ Right ventral
§ Uterus
§ Caecum, Intestine
10
Q
Palpation of ovaries rectally what can you feel and diagnosis and list the 3 main ovarian conditions
A
- Pea sized, no structures (anoestrus)
- Hard lump (CL)
- Soft lump (follicle)
- Big hard lump (cyst)
- Huge (neoplasm)
Ovarian conditions
1. Post-partum anoestrus (discuss later)
2. Ovarian cyst
3. Ovarian tumour
11
Q
Cystic Ovarian Disease what are they, how long persist, size, why occurs and what results in
A
- Anovulatory structures on ovaries
- Persist for variable periods (>10d)
- Usually larger than normal follicles (>2.5cm)
- Mainly on right ovary
- Mainly Dairy Cows, less in Beef
- Lack of LH surge leads to anovulation of dominant follicle
- Infertile if cysts persist
Increases Calving interval by 50 days
12
Q
What are the 3 types of ovarian cysts and how to diagnose
A
1) follicular cysts
2) luteal cysts
3) cystic corpus luteum
Diagnosis
1. ultrasound
2. rectal palpation
13
Q
Follicular cysts what secret, size and associated with
A
○ secrete either oestrogenic or androgenic steroids
○ large (>2.5 cm internal diameter, with a wall less than 3 mm thick), turgid, and thin-walled,
- can be associated with either ‘nymphomaniac’ behaviour or anoestrus
14
Q
Luteal cysts structure, what secret and how similar to follicular
A
○ have a layer of luteal tissue in the cyst wall
○ thicker walled and less prone to rupture
○ secrete progesterone - affected cows are anoestrus
○ hard to differentiate clinically (by rectal exam) from follicular cysts, but their cause and treatment is similar so determining the difference is not particularly important.
15
Q
Cystic corpus luteum how significant, when form, treat and what can cause
A
Incidental diagnosis made when performing ultrasound or rectal exams
○ generally no changes in the oestrous cycle observed and the cows are generally fertile
○ form after ovulation when a fluid filled cavity appears in the luteal tissue
○ do not treat them
○ They feel on rectal exam like big CLs
○ Conditions of the uterus that prevent it from producing prostaglandin can cause CLs to have a prolonged lifespan, but in these cases the CL is generally normal.
16
Q
What are the 3 common outcomes for a follicular cyst and result to fertility
A
- Persist (for up to 70 days)
○ remain dominant over others
○ growth of other follicles suppressed by E2 and inhibin. - Regress
○ replaced by normal follicle (10-50%) - Undergoes atresia and replaced by new cyst.
○ Inter-follicular interval 8.5 to 13 days
○ Regular oestrus behaviour
17
Q
What are the 4 ways to treat ovarian cyst which respond well and which dont
A
- Manual rupture
○ relatively low recovery rate
○ risk of ovarian haemorrhages and adhesions. - GnRH intramuscularly
○ causes the release of LH and luteinisation of the cysts (not ovulation)
○ Most cows that respond come into oestrus 18 - 23 days after treatment. - Progesterone (P4)
- Follicular cysts may best be treated using a P4 releasing device to deprive the cyst of LH. This treatment will stop nymphomania behaviour immediately. In many cases, after removal, cycling continues normally. - Ovsynch program + P4 device
Most successful unless 6 months or more then don’t respond well
18
Q
Ovarian neoplasms what is the main one, diagnosis and age generally occurs
A
Granulosa cell tumour ○ Commonest but still rare ○ Diagnosed via palpation, ultrasound ○ All ages of cattle - not just older cattle § Even pregnant cattle
19
Q
What is the difference between menstrual and oestrus cycle
A
- Menstrual cycle – humans, chimps
- Oestrus cycle – placental mammals
○ Do not shed the endometrium (it is resorbed)
○ Start at puberty and lasts until death, with pauses during pregnancy and after calving
○ Females only sexually active during the oestrus phase of their cycle
○ “on heat” or “in oestrus”
20
Q
Bovine oestrous cycle what type, pauses, cycle length and the length of 4 phases as well as oestrus
A
- Polyoestrus
○ Have “cycles” from puberty until death
○ Pauses:
§ during pregnancy
§ after pregnancy (post-partum anoestrus)
○ Cycle length 18-24 days
○ 4 phases
§ Oestrus ( Day 0 - in heat)
§ Metoestrus (Days 1:5 - just had a heat)
§ Dioestrus (Days 6:17 - not much happening)
§ Pro-oestrus (Days 18:21 - about to have a heat)
○ Oestrus lasts 2 hours to 2 days
21
Q
What is important about bovine oestrus in terms of farm fertility, conception rates
A
- Much of the activity on beef and dairy farms is directed at getting cows in calf
- Cows are only fertile during Oestrus
- Conception rates 25-60%
○ Most cows need > 1 joining
22
Q
What are the 3 main structures of the ovaries
A
1) Corpus luteum - P4
2) Follicles - oestrogen
3) Corpus albicans
23
Q
Corpus luteum and follicle where do they come from, what does it do and where does it go
A
Where does it come from
- CL - arises from recently ovulated follicle
Foll - follicular waves - recruitment, selection, dominant
What does it do
CL - produce progesterone (P4)
Foll - grows in response to FSH/LH and produces ostreogen
Where does it go
CL - after Prostaglandin regresses to beceome corpus albicans
Foll - LH surge make ovulate morphs into CL
24
Q
Brain what are the 2 important structures for reproduction what does they respond to, release and key function in oestrous cycle
A
- Hypothalamus
- Responds to Oestrogen
- Releases GnRH
- Key to the Oestrus Cycle:
○ Hypothalamus Response to Oestrogen
§ Negative Feedback if P4 present
§ Positive feedback if
□ P4 has been present (“progesterone primed brain”) -> post-partum - Anterior Pituitary
- Responds to GnRH
- Produces FSH and LH
○ Also produces ACTH, TSH, GH et al
25
Uterus what hormones produce and when
○ Prostaglandin at about d17 if not pregnant -> results in regression of the CL
○ Progesterone during pregnancy
26
Follicular phase of oestrous cycle what are the 2 aspects, what days and when fertile
1. Follicular Phase (CL and Progesterone absent)
○ Pro-oestrus (Days 18:21 – CL regressed)
○ Oestrus ( Day 21 (and 0) - in heat)
Oestrus fertility
§ Egg is released 12 hours after end of oestrus behaviour
§ AI cows when they are seen in oestrus
27
Luteal phase of oestrous what present, 2 phases, what occurs within and duration
2. Luteal Phase (CL and Progesterone Present)
a. Metoestrus (Days 1:5 - CL Maturing)
§ CL not responsive to PG and not as much P4 produced
b. Dioestrus (Days 6:17 – CL Mature)
§ CL just sits there producing P4 until uterus produces PG
□ What occurs in pyometra -> continued production of P4 as not PG
28
Follicular waves when occur and how/ what occurs
Luteal phase
§ Follicles produce Oestrogen
□ Oestrogen suppresses FSH (because P4 around)
□ Follicles need FSH
® After about 8-9 days, Follicles regress and another “wave” starts
29
What ends the luteal phase and what days does this occur
DAY 17-21
§ PG from the uterus -> regression of CL, decrease production of P4, oestrogen now positive feedback on hypothalamus leading to GnRH production and FSH produced -> follicular growth -> which causes oestrogen production
§ At threshold level of oestrogen, there is an LH surge and ovulation
30
Post-partum anoestrus what is it and what does it depend on
- Cows do not commence cycling immediately after calving
- When they do depends on:
○ Nutrient status - most important
§ Higher conception rate with increased body condition score
○ Suckling
○ Season
○ Presence of bulls
31
Control of the oestrus cycle what are the 4 main reasons to do this and the 4 main drugs used
```
Reasons:
1. Get Cows Cycling
○ “Anoestrus Cows” - was cycle and stopped
○ “NVOs” - no visible oestrus - cows that farmers have not seen cycling
2. Synchronise Cows
○ Make them cycle when we want them to
○ Batch treatment of cows
○ Reproductive and management benefits
3. Increase Fertility
4. Embryo Transfer
Drugs used
1. Prostaglandins
2. Progesterone
3. Oestrogens
4. GnRH
```
32
Prostaglandin what act on, result in, given how, OHS issues and how used
- Acts on a Mature CL
- Fast Half Life
- CL regression in 24 hours
- Given by injection
- OHS issues
○ Asthmatics issues
○ Women - loss of pregnancy
Uses
- If given after the first 5-7 days of the cycle, induced oestrus within 7 days of most cycling cows
○ Haven't induced ovulation
- Can also be used to induce abortion up to about day 120
33
Prostaglandin mechanism of action in induced ovulation and the 2 ways you can use
- Give and get drop in progesterone and may result in ovulation of a follicular wave earlier
How to do this
- Cycling cows only – no effect if in post-partum anoestrus - not used in cows that are calved in less than a month
1. “Modified Why Wait”
○ 5-7 days of AI then PG
○ Easy
○ Saves a week
○ Can treat NVO (no visible oestrus)s at day 14
2. “Double PG Programme”
○ 2 shots of PG 14 days apart
§ 1 shot either more than 7 days since last oestrus - will come on in next week, will respond to second shot
§ Less than 7 days will come on the following week anyway
○ Inseminate the whole herd in a week (after second shot)
34
Progesterone mechanism of action for induction programs and how given
- Progesterone prime the brain
○ In post-partum anoestrus cow -> when remove get positive feedback so will result in ovulation of current follicular waves
- Need long term treatment (rather than bolus)
35
Oestrogens how given, what animals banned in, mechanism of action in induction programs
- Usually given by injection
- Banned for use in Milking Cows
- The effect depends on Progesterone Levels
○ If P4 present, starves follicle of FSH -> Start a new follicular wave
○ After P4 drop, adds fuel to positive feedback loop of FSH and Oestrogen causing ovulation
36
GnRH how used in induction programs
- Uses are similar to Oestrogen
- Causes “acute secretion” of FSH and LH
- Ovulation or luteinization of the dominant follicle
- In any case, starts a new follicular wave
- Does not necessarily induce oestrus behaviour
37
eCG and hCG what acitivity, therefore what does it do and when used
```
eCG – Mostly FSH activity
- Hastens follicle development
- superovulation programs
hCG – Mostly LH activity
- Forces ovulation
Superovulation programs
```
38
OvSynch program what are the 4 steps and how works
1. GnRH on day 1
○ Group A - Cause ovulation in cows that have LH receptors and large follicles
○ Group B - Or increase LH levels but without ovulation as don't have enough LH receptors
2. PGF2alpha 7 days later
○ Group A - regress new CL from previous GnRH injection
○ Group B - Those that didn't have enough LH receptors should have ovulated by themselves and have CL which need to regress
○ Now should all be luteolysis
3. GnRH 48h later
○ Cause ovulation “sooner” - all ovulate at the same time
4. AI all cows 12-24 later
39
In the OvSynch program what is a major determinant of fertility
3. GnRH 48h later
○ Cause ovulation “sooner” - all ovulate at the same time
§ Follicle state at this point is major determinant of fertility
□ Too small
® Might not ovulate
® Resultant CL might be too small to produce enough
□ Too old
® Start to regress
® Quality diminishes
40
As Ovsynch program relies on size of follicle for GnRH on step 3 when give this
□ Effect on follicular waves
® Wave just started (~3d)
◊ No effect, wave already up to 3 days old
® Wave underway (~4 to ~7-10):
◊ Ovulation - New wave starts 1.6-2.5 days later
® Follicle undergoing atresia (~7-10 onward)
◊ No effect –New wave starts 2-4 days later
□ On average a follicle takes 7-10 days to ovulation
41
Therefore ovsynch isn't enough by itself so what are the 4 approaches to increase fertility
1. Changing the timing of the FTAI
2. Maximising ovulations to the first GnRH
○ Start on day 5-9 (possibly 5-12) of the cycle
○ Pre-synchrony
3. Fertilizing the Follicle
○ eCG at the time of the PG
§ Increases the growth of follicles
§ FSH prevents regression and keeps it young
4. Adding Progesterone
○ Especially in non-cycling cows- post-partum anoestrus - to get follicular waves to start
42
What are the 4 main induction programs for seasonal dairy herds
1. Ovsynch
2. Ovsynch + Pregnecol (eCG)
3. Ovsynch + Progesterone (CIDR or CueMate)
4. Ovsynch + Pregnecol + Progesterone
43
What are the 2 main oestrous synchrony techniques
```
1. PG based synchrony
○ Single PG (after 7 days)
○ Double PG (14 days apart)
2. OvSynch based synchrony “Fixed time”
○ Ovsynch
○ Ovsynch Plus
○ Presynch
```
44
What are the 3 steps to decide when to synch
Step 1 - understand the cows you are trying to synchronize
- Non-cyclers, weak-cyclers, cyclers, heifers
Step 2 - Understand the aims, needs and wants of the farmer
- Facilities, costs, calving pattern, fertility
Step 3 - understand some of the tools available
- There are many programs available
- There is no single "best" program
- There probably is a "best" program for a particular situation
45
What must the ideal cow do and where does vet fit into this
```
Calve
◦ Clean Up - cease her post-partum anoestrus and come out with not endometritis
◦ Start Cycling
◦ Be detected on heat
◦ Be Inseminated
◦ Conceive
◦ Stay Pregnant
◦ Be dried off at the right time
◦ Calve again
All these points vets can intervene
```
46
What are the 3 areas vets fit into the reproductive cycle of the herd
```
1. Managing the calving period
○ Control of disease in individuals
○ Possibly calving induction
2. Managing “the joining period”
○ Treating endometritis
○ and post-partum anoestrus
○ Pregnancy diagnosis
3. Managing the “Dry Period”
○ Planning for calving
```
47
Calving induction is it done, how done
○ Controversial - serious animal welfare problem as can be born alive but without lungs strong enough to survive
§ Need to be killed straight away otherwise suffer
○ Make cows calve sooner by injecting corticosteroids
○ Process is being banned at the moment
○ Must be undertaken BY a veterinarian – do not supply drugs
48
What are the 4 important vet things that need to be done in the joining period
```
1. Diagnosing/Treating
○ Retained foetal membranes
○ Metritis
○ Acute Septic Metritis
○ (Pyometra)
2. Treatment of post-partum anoestrus
3. Oestrus synchrony
4. Pregnancy diagnosis
```
49
Pregnancy diagnosis What are the 4 main ways to do it and from what age can start
1) rectal palpation - from 6-8 weeks
2) ultrasound linear - from 4 to 16 weeks
3) sector scanning - 5-16 weeks (not empties)
4) blood or milk tests - don't age the pregnancy
50
Rectal palpation what signs are suggestive of pregnancy and what mainly used for
mostly used for aging the pregnancy once confirm she is pregnant
◦ a change in the size and location of the reproductive tract (“uterine size”)
◦ detection of fluid in the uterine lumen (fluctuance)
◦ middle uterine artery enlargement/ fremitus -> only artery to can grab within rectal
◦ a heavy cervix
51
Rectal palation what signs are definitive signs of pregnancy
◦ palpation of the chorioallantois using the foetal membrane slip technique
◦ palpation of the amniotic vesicle
◦ palpation of placentomes (make sure you count three!)
◦ palpation of the foetus - head, eye sockets, limbs
52
Linear ultrasound for pregnancy diagnosis from what age and what can determine
○ Similar to small animal machine
○ Hand inserted with probe
○ From 4 weeks to 16 weeks
○ Can determine sex; look at other structures (ovaries)
53
Aging the foetus what is the general size of a calf 6,8,10,12,14 weeks and how precise are you at 6-10 weeks, 16 weeks and >16 weeks pregnancy
6 weeks - sausage
8 weeks - fist
10 weeks - boxing glove
12 weeks - football
14 weeks - basketball
- Up to 6-10 weeks precision of about 1 week
- Up to 16 weeks precision of 2 weeks around age
- Past 16 weeks pregnant quite not precise
54
Ultrasound pregnancy diagnosis sector scanner why would use, when bad and how to age
- Quick, Precise
○ Limited range
○ 4-16 weeks (7-16 weeks in practical terms)
§ Above 17w unreliable
○ Unreliable for empty dx - just because can't find it doesn't mean it isn't there
○ Size is related to the radius or diameter of the central ring
○ 8 weeks -> the head/legs = 1 diameter
○ 12 weeks -> the thorax/head = 1 diameter
○ 16 weeks -> cotyledons = 1 diameter, thorax 2.5-3 diameters
55
Ultrasound pregnancy diagnosis linear probe why use and aging
○ More precise
○ Probe or manual insertion
○ Experienced operator can determine sex between 55 and 70 days
56
List 5 reasons to and 4 not to pregnancy test
1. Culling empty cows
2. Planning drying off
3. Feed budget
4. Planning inductions
5. Retrospective mating analysis
Not
1. Too hard to do
2. Too expensive
3. Too inaccurate
4. Too hard to deal with results
57
Pregnancy testing precision cow embryo on same day calve over how long, typical vet precision and therefore pregnancy diagnosis how good
- Cows embryo transferred on the same day calve over three weeks
- Typical precision of vet = 2 weeks
○ THEREFORE - 2 week either side of the 3 weeks for embryo transfer -> 7 WEEKS VARIATION
- Use Pregnancy diagnosis -> removes the 2 weeks either side -> 3 WEEK VARIATION NOW
○ to calculate CONCEPTION
○ Date, then work out Calvin
○ Date based on that
58
What are 3 ways to add value to pregnancy diagnosis
1. Obtain Mating Information
2. Generate Preg Test lists -> give you variation in numbers
3. Do Preg test -> to determine whether the higher or lower number -> easier to determine one or the other not necessary the exact number
59
What are the 6 important reproductive indexes
1) Submission Rate
○ % cows submitted in first 21 (or 30) days
2) Conception Rate
○ % cow pregnant per 100 inseminations
3) Pregnancy Rate
○ % of the herd pregnant after a given time
4) 6 week in calf rate
○ % of the herd pregnant after 6 weeks of joining in s seasonal or split calving herd
5) 100 day in calf rate
○ % of the herd pregnant within 100 days of calving in a year round calving herd
6) Empty rate
○ % herd empty (after a given no of weeks – 12or 20)
60
Intramuscular infections in cows what needle, where given and give examples
- Generally use 18 gauge x 25mm disposable needle is used
- Injections generally into the neck musculature avoiding the vertebral column
○ Quality Assurance programs especially beef require injections to be given into neck
○ Common practice especially in dairy cattle, for farmers to give IM injections in rump (gluteal) muscle
- only 10ml in one site
EG - Penicillin - common dose is 20mls, CANNOT BE GIVEN IV
61
Subcutaenous injections what needle used for different stuff and where given
- Given within larger gauge needles 16-14 with needle lengths generally shorter for vaccination (10-15mm) and longer (25-40mm) for SC fluids
○ Give neck, behind the shoulder over the ribs
§ Ribs generally recommended - 45 degrees to the skin
62
IV injections what sized needle use, preferred site
- 14-18 gauge needles are generally used for IV injections
- Preferred site is jugular vein with large volume to be administered
- Mammary vein can be accessed in recumbent cows however potential thrombophlebitis may result (larger than jugular so often used by farmers)
- Tail vein common for venupuncture and used for injecting small volumes (<10mls) of non-irritant substances
63
What are the 3 most commonly used blood tubes in cattle and what used for
- “Red top” Plain tubes – used for serology and some trace elements
- “Purple top” EDTA tubes – used for haematology and some trace elements
- “Green Top” Lithium Heparin tubes – used for electrolytes, some trace elements
64
What is the 5 station clinical exam of cow and generaly what do
1) tail
- collect urine, take temp, count pulse, check vulval membranes, asses skin and hair, condition score
2) Left side
- palpate/auscultate heart, lung, rumen, contour abdomen, percuss body wall, lower flank, check prescapular lymph nodes
3) Right side
- same as LHS, also check liver and para-lumbar fossa
4) head and neck
- brisket, symmetry head, eyes, muzzle, mouth, tongue, submandibular lymph nodes
5) tail end again
- udder, teats, milk, vaginal, rectal, assess limbs and feet
65
What is the normal tempertaure, HR, RR and rumen contraction rate
Temp - 38.5 - 39.2 degrees Celsius
HR - 60-80 with no murmurs or arrhythmias. >150 = poor prognosis.
Rumen contraction rate is one every 30-90 seconds
66
Udder oedema what do farmers call it, why want to treat and causes
FLAG
- Difficult for calves to suckle
- Machines may not attach to teats properly
- Difficulty with milk let down
- Can make cows prone to mastitis - why farmers want you to treat
Causes
- Due to interference of venous drainage from udder
○ Pressure of foetus in pelvic cavity
○ Large increase in blood supply to udder in heifers outstrips venous return
- High sodium/potassium intakes
- Hereditary
67
Udder oedema treatment
- Usually unnecessary
- Can use diuretics/corticosteroids (induce calving - only time would do it in heifers)
○ Frusemide (500mg IM followed by 250mg IM twice daily for three days
○ Corticosteroids - debatable
- Use diuretics AFTER calving
- Diet control and excise possible prevention
68
Rupture of the suspensory apparatus what occurs and results
- Medial suspensory ligament divides udder into two halves
○ Attaches udder to pelvic floor
- Can rupture either acutely or over a period of several lactations
- Rupture causes teats to splay outwards
Results
- Splayed teats difficult to milk
○ Machines do not attach to teats properly
- Splayed teats more prone to environmental mastitis infections
- Splayed teats more prone to damage
- CULL
69
Photosensitisation, clinical signs and treatment for teats
- Affected areas on cow include all areas of unpigmented skin and mucous membranes exposed to UV radiation (sunlight)
Includes udder and teats
Treatment
- Providing a shaded environment
- Covering teats in zinc cream or black ointment (blocking UV and soothing)
- Antihistamines and NASIDS
- Antibiotics if skin is infected
70
List the 3 main udder diseases and 10 main teat ones
1) udder oedema
2) rupture of suspensory appartus
3) udder impetigo
Teats
1) photosensitisation
2) teat blockages
3) teat cracks
4) bovine herpes mammillitis
5) cow pox
6) warts
7) black spot
8) rignworm
9) teat laceration
10) teat dilation
71
Teat cracks why prone, why bad and treatment
- No sebaceous glands
- Prone to cracking
- cracks harbour bacteria
- Use emollients in teat disinfectants
72
Haemolactia what is it, common cause, how to treat
- Usually due to trauma
- Commonly seen in freshly calved cows due to pressure of congested udder
- Clots may disrupt milk flow
- Clots can usually be milked out by hand
- Rarely due to coagulopathy
73
Bovine herpes mammillitis what is it, transmission, what can lead to, zoonosis, diagnosis and treatment
- Herpes virus
- Outbreaks uncommon in Australia
- Virus needs to be deposited into deep layers of teat
- Insects may cause spread between herds
- Teat lesions may provide site of entry to virus
- Can cause pesudo lumpy skin disease
- Multiple raised plaques that coalesce to cover a large part of the teat - This leaves a large raw ulcer that eventually scabs and heals
- Animals resent being milked
- NOT A ZOONOSIS
Diagnose using virus isolation
TREAT
- applying antibiotic lotion prior to milking then apply astringent following milking
- Use iodophor teat disinfectants to minimise spread
- Crystal violet dye helps to alleviate signs
74
Pseudocowpox (milkers nodule) cause, presentation, zoonosis, spread
- Paramyxovirus, looks like horse shoe
- Milkers nodule in man (zoonosis)
- Papular stomatitis (disease of calves)
- Spread slower than mammillitis - immunity short lived
- Need break in skin to cause disease
75
Cowpox and warts what caused by, results and treatment
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Cowpox
- Exotic to Australia and rare in rest of world
- Spread by direct and indirect contact
- Erythma ---> vesible ---> scabs
Warts
- Papilloma virus infection
- Extremely common but of no consequence
- May harbor bacteria that cause mastitis
- May interfere with milking
- Remove surgically
○ Twisting
○ Excision
○ Cryotherapy
```
76
Black spot what does it result in, what infected with, treatment
- Ulcerated, infected lesions of the teat end -> painful
- Any damage to teat orifice causing eversion/prolapse of teat canal
- Usually infected with Fusobacterium Necrophorum -> smells
- Stap aureus or other contagious mastitis bacteria can then infect the lesion
- If more than a few cases in a herd machine function should be investigated
- Scabs should be picked off before milking
- Most cows will not milk properly without teat dilation
- Antibiotic ointments help in the treatment -> may need to cull
77
Udder impetigo what is it, presentation,, spread, zoonosis and treatment
- Staph aureus infection of the teat base and udder
- Pustules are 2-4mm in diameter
- Spread during milking and a large portion of herd may be infected
- Can serve as source of bacteria for mastitis infections
- ZOONOSIS - painful boils
- Control with teat disinfection
78
Teat laceration what are the 11 steps in treatment
1. Restrain the cow and sedate
○ Xylazine
○ Tail jack is standing
○ Legs should be tied back out of the way
2. Local anaesthetic
○ Ring block around base of teat Locally around an udder laceration
3. Access teat laceration for viability of tissue
○ Transverse cuts have poorer prognosis due to compromised blood supply to distal teat
4. Assess for teat cistern damage
○ Central teat canal damage -> could harbour bacteria and may get blockage
5. Debride and disinfect area as appropriate
6. Suture mucosa separately with fine (4/0) absorbable material
7. Seal mucosa as healing impaired if milk seeps into subcutaneous tissues
8. Suture subcutaneous and skin layers separately with 2/0 absorbable material (subcut), non-absorbable (skin)
9. Intramammary antibiotics for 3 days to prevent mastitis
10. Parenteral antibiotic indicated to prevent infection of skin
11. Hand milk for 7 days
79
Teat dilation what needed, indicator for, why bad and what needed after treatment
NEED
- sedate cow, tail jake, leg rope, aseptic technique, steriled teat dilator
Indicated for:
○ Teat peas, black spot, fibrous tissue resulting from infection or slow milkers
Will increase risk of mastitis -> damaging the cistern
AFTER - Put cow on antibiotics prophylactically for 3 days
80
What are the 4 main reasons for dystocia
1. Presentation (anterior, posterior, transverse)
2. Position (dorso-sacral, dorso-pubic, dorso-iliac)
3. Posture (limb flexions, neck flexions)
4. Foeto-pelvic disproportion
81
What are the 4 main intervention options for dystocia and what is important
1. Manipulation
2. Extraction -> can be manual or with snares, eye hooks
3. Foetotomy
4. Caesarean
5. Euthanasia
Important
- Hygiene
○ Water, soap
○ Farmer needs to see that you are 'clean'
- Lubrication
○ Proprietary lubricants
○ Methylcellulose - most common for large animals
○ K-Y jelly -> small animals not large animals
82
What are 7 main history need to ask for dystocia
1) Age, parity, condition of patient
○ First calf -> more dystocia than older cows (more Foeto-pelvic disproportion)
○ Condition -> low condition more likely to get Foeto-pelvic disproportion
2) Expected calving date
○ Premature or not -> calf less likely to be full sized, more likely to have an issue with posture (weaker calf so cannot move its legs and head around)
3) Time since parturition started
4) Anything showing
5) Foetus alive
○ Reflex -> pinching between the toes, suckle reflex
○ You can feel a heartbeat on the chest, if backwards femoral pulse
6) Owner interventions, progress
○ Did you pull it, how hard, how many did you pull,
7) Location of patient, facilities, assistance
○ Better if in a crush, water, anyone around to help with experience, equipment
83
What are 7 main history need to ask for dystocia
1) Age, parity, condition of patient
○ First calf -> more dystocia than older cows
○ Condition -> low condition more likely to get Foeto-pelvic disproportion
2) Expected calving date
○ Premature or not -> calf less likely to be full sized, more likely to have an issue with posture (weaker calf so cannot move its legs and head around)
3) Time since parturition started
4) Anything showing
5) Foetus alive
○ Reflex -> pinching between the toes, suckle reflex
○ You can feel a heartbeat on the chest, if backwards femoral pulse
6) Owner interventions, progress
○ Did you pull it, how hard, how many did you pull,
7) Location of patient, facilities, assistance
○ Better if in a crush, water, anyone around to help with experience, equipment
84
What are important bits of information needed to make decisions regarding dystocia
- What options do you have
- Which patient is your priority -> calf or cow -> make sure on the same page as the client
- What facilities and assistance is available
- What does the client think
85
What are 7 specific obstretical conditions
1. Hydrops amnion and hydrops allantois
2. Prolapsed vagina
3. Uterine torsion
4. Waterbelly
5. Caesarean section
6. Prolapsed uterus
7. Retained foetal membranes (aka RFM)
86
Hydrops how common the 2 types and treatment
- Not very common
- Distention due to uterine issues not abdominal issue
1) hydrallantois
2) hydramnios
Treatment
1. Termination of pregnancy
§ Corticosteroids, prostaglandins -> want to calf within 24-48 hours not 1 week
□ Dystocias are common as not ready to calf at this point
2. Caesarean section
§ With supportive treatment
§ Tap the fluid out SLOWLY (over hours) - body has time to compensate the loss in blood pressure
- Generally the cow is then milked through and then culled before next season
87
Hydrops hydrallantois how common, presentation, diagnosis, calf and general result
○ Most common, round and tense in abdomen
○ Occurs rapidly
○ Placentomes and calf NOT palpable -> just fill uterus filled with fluid
○ Calf small, often apparently normal
○ Refills quickly if drained - shouldn't try to tap the uterus
- Abortion or maternal death
88
Hydrops hydramnios how common, onset, diagnosis, calf and result
```
○ Uncommon, pear shaped and soft
○ Slow onset
○ Placentomes and calf palpable
○ Calf often malformed
○ Doesn't tend to refill
○ Parturition at full term possible
```
89
Vaginal prolapse how common, severity, when occur and treatment
- Most common in - Fat, old beef cows
- Varying severity -> can be acute or chronic and disasters
- Progressive
- Generally the last month or two before pregnancy
- Surgery -> getting them back in again
○ Epidural -> cannot feel pelvic canal, vulva -> less likely to strain
○ Clean, Lubrication and replacement -> generally older cows not hard to get back in - TRICKY TO KEEP IN
○ Purse string suture
Perivaginal buttons
90
Vaginal prolapse purse string suture what are the 7 steps and how monitor
1. Cut above and below the vagina
2. Needle in subcutaneously avoiding the vulva wall
3. Needle come out between vulva and anus (not too close to anus)
4. Thread umbilical tape
5. Pull down and thread on one side
6. Cut the ends nice and long -> tie in a bow
7. Leave enough vulva so she can urinate
If think calf is going to calf in a few days -> undo the bow and loosen the suture
91
Uterine torsion general history, examination and rotation direction and how to diagnose
- History
○ Looks likes she was going to calve but then stopped
○ Standing with tail in the air and straining or just stop straining
- Examination
○ Cow generally systemically well unless been going for a few days
○ Tail in the air, discharge, if look from behind the vulva is asymmetrical due to rotation of the uterus (torsion on vaginal wall)
- Rotation - need to work out direction and degree
○ Degree -> can be 180, 360 (most common) or more when keep rotation
○ Rectal may be needed to determine as may not be able to get hand through cervix
92
What are the 5 main techniques for uterine torsion
1) manual rotation
2) detorsion rod
3) using chains
4) rolling the cow
5) laparotomy - last resort
93
What is involved with manual rotation, detorsion rod and using chains for uterine torsion
a. Manual rotation - first point of call
§ If can get hand through cervix then can rotate calf (with lots of lube) opposite way of torsion
b. Detorsion rod - GYN-stick
§ Rope around the calves hooves with rod in the middle and rotate the rod to rotate calf
§ Again need to get into cervix and have enough access to calf to get ropes around legs
c. Using chains
§ Separate chain on each leg, separate farmer on each chain -> rotate via pulling legs in different directions
94
Rolling the cow and laparotomy with uterine torsion how occurs
d. Rolling the cow
§ Plank on abdomen, flip from left to right recumbency depending on the direction
e. Laparotomy -> last resort
§ Anticipation is that will result in caesarean -> go in left flank (don't want to get a lot of intestines)
§ May need to roll the uterus with the calf still in before caesarean otherwise when take calf out the uterus may then rotate back and lose the incision site
95
Waterbelly calves/foetal dropsy/ascites what is it, presentation, examination and technique
- Accumulation of fluid in perineal space or intestines/rumen
- Presentation
○ calf half out but cannot get further but should be able to as small calf
- Examination
○ Other pelvic brim has fluid filled belly
- Technique
○ Lacerate the calves abdomen to relieve the fluid -> generally the calf is dead by this point
96
Caesarean section indications
○ Live, viable (valuable) calf but foeto-pelvic disproportion
○ Valuable calf
○ Elective pre-parturient - indications of issues due to small heifer mated too early
○ Foetal monsters
○ Dead, emphysematous calf - beef cow that has been calving for days without assistance, calf is rotting/expanding and uterus is contracting
○ Uterine torsion
97
Caesarean section what are the 2 main surgical approach and what good for
1) Standing
§ Left flank - GOOD
□ Rope around left back leg so cannot bring forward and kick
§ Right flank - BAD
2) Recumbent - not as good for US BUT if think she is going to go down stay down
§ Flank - left flank -> BEST
§ Paramedian -> better fore emphysematous calf probably
§ Ventral midline -> wound security is not high as lots of weight on incision site
98
Caesarean section what anaesthesia used and post-operative care
- Anaesthesia
○ Caudal epidural
○ Regional anaesthesia
§ Lumbar paravertebral
§ Inverted L -> local anaesthetic between incision site and brain
§ Infused Line block
Post-operative care
○ Oxytocin - help with uterine involution
○ Penicillin - intramuscular and possible intrauterine
○ Wound management -> clean off blood and spray wound with fly repellent
99
Caesarean section technique what are the steps within
a. Go through skin - #22 scalpel
§ Behind last rib but in-front of stifle
§ 2/3rds way up abdomen wall 30cm through skin
b. Muscle cut -> through the 3 layers
c. Peritoneum -> nick with scalpel blade, cow will then suck in wind, if smell methane (cut through rumen) - DON'T DO
d. THEN extend incision enough to get hand into perineum cavity and extend large enough for calf to get out
e. Identify piece of calf through the uterus (feet, heads, hocks) and cut in the line of the muscle fibres in the uterus
f. Try to exteriorise the uterus up into surgical site -> assistant pulls out calf, vet holds the uterus
g. Look for contamination of perineum cavity -> remove some membranes don't need to
h. Farmer holds up the uterus on either end and you suture through the incision on uterus, 2 layers
i. Orientate the uterus back into abdomen
j. Suture up the layers -> peritoneum and muscle in one hit or two, sometimes subcut, skin interrupted cruciate
100
Post parturient care for the calf after caesarean
○ Respiration
○ Colostrum -> tube feed colostrum or ensure can suckle
○ Swollen head/tongue - maybe anti-inflammatory, cleft palate
○ Fractures -> not uncommon if farmers are trying to pull
§ Generally heal quickly
○ Paralysis
○ Facial tears - not common but heal quickly
101
Post parturitent care for the cow after caesarean
○ Twins - can be hard as uterine enlargement, beloting from farmer may help, cannot check everything
○ Lacerations of uterus, cervix, vagina, vulva
§ Deal with what you find -> suture the wound blind
§ If relatively superficial in vagina/vulva
○ Haemorrhage
○ Other disease
§ Hypocalcemia, paralysis, dislocations
102
Uterine prolapse risk factors and what is important for assessment
```
- Risk factors
○ Old
○ Multiparous
○ Hypocalcemia
○ Dystocia (FP disproportion; prolonged labour)
○ Sloped bedding
- Restraint!!
- Assessment/examination
○ Need to stabilise first
○ Does it have a broken leg? If so maybe not worth it in the first place
```
103
Uterine prolapse what are the steps in the treatment and what if cannot get back in
a. Epidural
b. Frog-leg - resting on stifle, lift and spread pelvis, stretch abdominal muscles (less able to strain against you)
c. Oxytocin (when? - should give at some point whether before or after
d. Replacement
i. Membranes - remove if easy to do so
ii. Trauma - may need to suture up if torn
iii. Complications - if strain wait for her then push in while relaxing
□ urinary bladder may be within that exteriorised uterus so pop needle within and drain the urine
e. Purse string - around the vulva to ensure the uterus doesn't come back out, 5-6 days take purse string
And if you just can't get it back in
§ Surgically remove the uterus -> AVOID REMOVING THE BLADDER
