Disease of growing lambs (Yr 4) Flashcards
(39 cards)
what are the differentials for diarrhoea in lambs?
Nematodirus battus
PGE
coccidiosis
cryptosporidium parvum
acidosis
Clostridium perfingens type B (lamb dysentery)
Clostridium perfingens type D (pulpy kidney)
E. coli
Salmonella spp.
what type of parasite is C. parvum?
protozoa
what are the clinical signs of cryptosporidiosis?
profuse bloody diarrhoea in 3-7 day old lambs
how can cryptosporidiosis be diagnosed?
pooled faecal sampling (staining/snap test)
histopathology on PM
how can cryptosporidiosis be treated?
supportive (hydration…)
hygiene/biosecurity
what type of parasite is coccidia?
protozoa
what are the risk factors for coccidiosis?
high stocking rates
inadequate colostrum
mixing ages
stress
concurrent nematodirus infection
does getting a positive test for coccidia confirm the cause of disease?
no - majority of species don’t cause disease
what are the clinical signs of coccidiosis?
diarrhoea, tenesmus, pyrexia, weight loss in 4-8 week old lambs
how is coccidiosis treated?
toltrazuril or diclurazil
supportive (housing, hydration…)
what causes acidosis?
consumption of rapidly digestible carbohydrates (concentrates) often in growing lambs on ad lib
what is the pathogenesis of rumen acidosis?
ingestion of rapidly digestable carbohydrates leads to a fall in rumen pH allowing lactic acid production to dominate
this leads to a rumenitis and metabolic acidosis
how is acidosis usually diagnosed?
history and clinical signs (dull, teeth grinding, colic, bloat, ataxic, reduce rumen sounds, diarrhoea…)
how can acidosis be treated?
fluids (with bicarbonate)
remove from cause
good quality fibre (hay…)
penicillin
what age is lamb nephrosis seen?
2-12 weeks old
what is the presumed cause of lamb nephrosis?
often linked to diarrhoea (crypto or coccidiosis)
how is lamb nephrosis syndrome diagnosed?
raised urea, creatinine and hyperkalaemia
pale swollen kidneys on PM
what causes ill thrift?
cobalt deficiency
what is the function of cobalt?
constituent of vitamin B12 (which is synthesised in the liver)
what effects does cobalt deficiency have?
animal can’t synthesis vitamin B12 which is involved in red blood cell development, amino acid synthesis and energy metabolism
what are the clinical signs of cobalt deficiency?
weight loss, slow growth
anaemia
how can cobalt deficiency be diagnosed?
cobalt and vitamin B12 in blood
(or response to supplement)
how can cobalt deficiency be treated?
cobalt bolus/drench/supplement
vitamin B12 injection
what is the function of selenium within the body?
immune function and anti-oxidation
