Health Flashcards
(213 cards)
What are the steps to a physical examination of the cow?
Tail end (BCS, HR, T, MM, faeces) Left side (rumen, ping) Right side Head & neck (salivation, oral cavity) Tail end again (milk & rectal) Then do limbs, joints, feet etc.
List some methods of examining the cows GIT tract.
Visual Palpate Percussion Ballottement Auscultate Rectal Stomach tube Rumenocentesis Exploratory laparotomy
What are risk factors for a displaced abdomen?
After pregnancy space
Stretched omentum
Low food intake
Gases trapped
What is left displaced abomasum?
Enlarged abomasum with fluid/gas accumulation gets displaced from right to left.
What are the risk factors and clinical signs of an LDA?
Risk factors - high producing dairy cows, high grain feeding
Clinical signs: weight loss, low milk, disinterest, low rumen contractions, ketosis, soft faeces, ping, can’t palpate on rectal, soft faeces
You hear a left sided ping during cow clinical examination. What could this indicate?
LDA
Atonic rumen
Pneumoperitoneum
Air in uterus
Differentiate by tube, rectal or fluid aspiration
How do you correct LDA?
Rolling cow
Open procedure (R Paralumbar fossa omentopexy or R Paramedian abomasopexy)
Need supportive care (Ca, fluids, NSAIDs, antibiotics)
How do you diagnose a right displaced abomasum?
Ping with percussion and auscultation + fluid splashing sounds.
What causes a right side ping? **
RDA, coiled colon, intussusception, dilatation & volvolus, colon distension, pneumoperitoneum.
How do you correct an RDA?
Medical treatment (spasmolytic, Ca, caffeine) Surgical intervention (Right omentoplexy with inverted L block 2% lignocaine)
How do you perform a right omentopexy?
Inverted L block with 2% lignocaine and 12mL flunixin analgesia.
Stitch 3 layers - peritoneum, abdominal m, external abdominal muscles, skin.
Give oxytetracycline, oral fluids
How do you identify a RDA (Right displaced abomasum)?
Pain, black faeces, large ping area, die with 48-96hours, abomasum is very dark.
What are the four types of abosomal ulceration?
Erosions/nonperforating ulcers
Ulcers with haemorrhage
Ulcers with peritonitis
Ulcers with septic peritonitis
What cows usually get abosomal ulceration?
Fibrous diet
High producing cows
What do you think when a calf has right side abdominal distension?
RDA Volvolus Bloat Intussusception Intestinal torsion
What is simple indigestion?
Change in food type or oral antibiotics causing upset gut flora.
Give uncomplicated feed like hay to fix.
Compare primary and secondary bloat.
Primary - pasture bloat can’t get rid of gas but no obstruction (froth can’t let go of gas)
Secondary - accumulate free gas in rumen more obstructive
More than one animal big distended paralumbar fossa. Increased contractions, get bloat line on post mortem on oesophagus. What are you thinking?
Primary bloat.
Frothy/pasture bloat. Can’t get rid of gas through the froth.
Impossible for cow to eruptate.
Stab between ribs & tuber coxae at point of most distension.
Treat by removing pasture, anti-foaming agents
How do you diagnose bloat?
Try to pass stomach tube to diagnose - strictures, lesions, actual obstruction check for gas coming out.
What happens if you pass tube easily and get no gas back?
Frothy bloat.
What is ruminal acidosis?
Ingestion of carbohydrate risk food.
Risk factors are low feed exposure, low NDF, fermentation rate.
What is SARA?
Subacute ruminal acidosis
What is normal rumen pH?
> 5.9
What is peracute rumen acidosis?