Large Animal Practical questions Flashcards
(57 cards)
Handling and restraining of ruminants.
Breed, age and training is important. Dairy cows are used to people but beef cattle out at
pasture are not. Usually put cows in stocks to examine. Use horn leaders or rope around neck
if no horns. Won’t bite but will squash and butt with head. General handling of cows can
use nose tongs – clamp onto nostrils & squeeze septum – tie up with this. Can also just use
fingers. Can pull tail over back but not recommended to use this method as the tail may
break. Bulls – nose ring with metal pole either side and 2 men as dangerous. Calves – fix
like foals – one hand round chest and bum (and can pull up tail). Sedatives – generally not
used. Can use alpha 2 agonists but cow very sensitive and slows down rumination.
Handling and restraining of ungulates and the swine.
Pigs - use of pig board.
Sheep by horns or sit them up????
Goats – as sheep?
Horses.
● Restraint depends on breed, age and gender
● Foals - one hand round chest and bum (and can pull up tail). Don’t use a halter on a
foal as they can rear and fall over. As they get older and are weaned then will wear a
halter but remember they are young and unpredictable so do not try to tie up – have an
experienced handler present.
● After breaking at 4 years or so, they should tie up but check with owner.
● Different breeds need more sensitive handling e.g. TB v shire.
● TB – stocks can resemble starting gates and make them worse. Stocks mainly used for
rectal exam or can use half door of stable
● Stallions –handle with care as can strike with front legs, bite and kick with hind legs.
Use a chiffney. Ask if a breeding stallion or not. Don’t stand in front of them.
● Nose twitch – never ear twitch. Neck twitch with hand – often good for youngsters
● Can lift a front leg
● Chemical sedation not recommended as it can mask symptoms. May be necessary for
some procedure such as x ray. ACP not used at clinic as sedation lasts for 2 long and
can cause prolapse of penis. Use alpha 2 agonists such as domosedan or xylazine but
will cause bradycardia and AV block.
Record the identification data and the general impression of the horse.
ID will be breed, sex, height, age (DOB), markings, brands, microchip. Can imprint
chestnuts. Can take hair for DNA sample – usually from tail and done as a foal. Silhouette.
General impression as small animals
Record the identification data and the general impression of the cattle.
Colour, breed and ear tag number. Horns?
Determine the basic clinical values of the horse and evaluate the results. Describe the
general impression
General as small animals
Temp: 37.5 – 38. Newborn 37.5-38.5
Pulse: 30-40 bpm. Facial, transverse facial, brachial, digital pulse
Resp: 10-15 breaths
Determine the basic clinical values of the cattle and evaluate the results. Describe the
general impression
General as small animals, but BCS for dairy cattle 1-5, beef 1-9
Temp: 38-39. Newborn 39-39.5
Pulse: 60-80 bpm. Facial (turns just in front of mandible) , transverse facial, coccygeal –
close to base of tail between 2 muscles, saphenous
Resp: 10-30 breaths
Ruminal contractions. Push abdominal wall against rumen with fist (rumen left side in
paralumbar fossa). Will feel rumen contract. Generally 1-3 ruminal contractions per minute,
so measure over 5 minutes.
Determine the basic clinical values of the sheep and evaluate the results. Describe the
general impression.
General as small animals Temp: 38.5-39.5 Pulse: 60-80 bpm Resp: 15-30 breaths Ruminal contractions
Determine the basic clinical values of the goat and evaluate the results. Describe the
general impression
General as small animals Temp: 38.5-39.5 Pulse: 60-80 bpm Resp: 15-30 breaths Ruminal contractions
Determine the basic clinical values of the pig and evaluate the results. Describe the
general impression
General as small animals
Temp: 38.5-39.5 Newborn 39-39.5
Pulse: 60-80 bpm. Coccygeal, auriclaris magna
Resp: 12-20 breaths
Describe the findings of the skin examination of the horse.
History
General impression
Hair exam - hair should be shiny with density according to breed, species and season. No
alopecia. Hair is medium long and colour according to breed (e.g. Suffolk punch horse
should be chestnut!) Coat fits to skin and has good closure. Hair loss is physiologic and can
be plucked with medium effort. Stiffness according to breed. No broken hairs or ecto-
parasites.
Skin exam – Condition according to breed and age and surface is intact. Skin is light pink or
greyish white but depends on pigmentation. [true black EE horse has black skin???] No
haemorrhages and no unpleasant smell – depends on breed and species. Temperature of skin
is close to temperature of ambient skin parts, although the extremities will be slightly lower
and reflect the external temperature more. Moisture content is average and grease content is
slight. Medium turgor and thickness according to skin can be folded easily and pings back
into place quickly. Sensitivity is physiologic with no swellings or lesions
Hooves. Shape according to breed [and whether front or hind foot – front is more rounded,
than hind]. Slipper toe can be a rotation of P3. Pigment too – some horses have white feet
particularly if have white legs. Temperature is the same as the floor so hooves should be
cool – if hot laminitis? No pain on palpation. Consistency is hard and surface is intact. Look
for growth rings – sign of old laminitis/nutritional problems.
Describe the findings of the skin examination of the cattle.
History
General impression
Hair exam - hair should be shiny with density according to breed, species and season. No
alopecia. Hair is medium long and colour according to breed (e.g. Suffolk punch horse
should be chestnut!) Coat fits to skin and has good closure. Hair loss is physiologic and can
be plucked with medium effort. Stiffness according to breed. No broken hairs or ecto-
parasites.
Skin exam – Condition according to breed and age and surface is intact. Skin is light pink or
greyish white but depends on pigmentation. [true black EE horse has black skin???] No
haemorrhages and no unpleasant smell – depends on breed and species. Temperature of skin
is close to temperature of ambient skin parts, although the extremities will be slightly lower
and reflect the external temperature more. Moisture content is average and grease content is
slight. Medium turgor and thickness according to skin can be folded easily and pings back
into place quickly. Sensitivity is physiologic with no swellings or lesions
Hooves. Shape according to breed [and whether front or hind foot – front is more rounded,
than hind]. Slipper toe can be a rotation of P3. Pigment too – some horses have white feet
particularly if have white legs. Temperature is the same as the floor so hooves should be
cool – if hot laminitis? No pain on palpation. Consistency is hard and surface is intact. Look
for growth rings – sign of old laminitis/nutritional problems.
Describe the findings of the skin examination of the sheep.
As for horse but mention fleece and importance of it being in good condition.
Describe the findings of the skin examination of the goat.
As horse. Male goats will smell!
Describe the examination findings of the palpable lymph nodes of the horse.
Compare both on opposite sides as follows:
● Size – more than one and a half times normal size is suspicious. Black pepper sized,
coriander sized, cherry sized, pea sized, grape sized, golf ball sized, tennis ball sized.
● Shape – ellipsoidal, round, special
● Consistency – doughy – pressure causes pitting which persists, firm – similar to
normal liver, hard – bone like consistency, fluctuating – wave like movement
produced when alter consistency, emphysematous – structure s enlarged and puffy,
yields on pressure, produces a crackling sound due to the presence of air or gas in the
tissue
● Structure – homogenous or non-homogenous
● Painfulness – should be none
● Movability – should be moveable
● Surface – smooth and regular and intact
● Skin above – temp, elasticity, damage
Palpable:
● Mandibular. In inter-mandibular space. Fix thumb against masseter and use fingers to
palpate. Can pull lymph node against mandible.
● Superficial Inguinal. Is located on the inner thigh where the skin of the thigh turns
into the abdominal area. Careful not to be kicked!
Can be palpated when enlarged:
● Retropharyngeal – just behind and under the salivary gland.
● Prae-scapular
Rectal:
● Illeosacral
● Mesenteric (cranial mesenteric). Often affected if strangles
Describe the examination findings of the palpable lymph nodes of the cattle.
● Size – more than one and a half times normal size is suspicious. Black pepper sized,
coriander sized, cherry sized, pea sized, grape sized, golf ball sized, tennis ball sized.
● Shape – ellipsoidal, round, special
● Consistency – doughy – pressure causes pitting which persists, firm – similar to
normal liver, hard – bone like consistency, fluctuating – wave like movement
produced when alter consistency, emphysematous – structure s enlarged and puffy,
yields on pressure, produces a crackling sound due to the presence of air or gas in the
tissue
● Structure – homogenous or non-homogenous
● Painfulness – should be none
● Movability – should be moveable
● Surface – smooth and regular and intact
● Skin above – temp, elasticity, damage
Palpable:
● Mandibular (mandibularis)
● Prae-scapular
● Subilliac
● Mammary
Can be palpated when enlarged: retropharyngeal, parotid.
Rectal: Illeosacral, Mesenteric
Describe the examination findings of the palpable lymph nodes of the sheep and the goat.
● Size – more than one and a half times normal size is suspicious. Black pepper sized,
coriander sized, cherry sized, pea sized, grape sized, golf ball sized, tennis ball sized.
● Shape – ellipsoidal, round, special
● Consistency – doughy – pressure causes pitting which persists, firm – similar to
normal liver, hard – bone like consistency, fluctuating – wave like movement
produced when alter consistency, emphysematous – structure s enlarged and puffy,
yields on pressure, produces a crackling sound due to the presence of air or gas in the
tissue
● Structure – homogenous or non-homogenous
● Painfulness – should be none
● Movability – should be moveable
● Surface – smooth and regular and intact
● Skin above – temp, elasticity, damage
Not always palpable! Praescapular and superficial inguinal
Describe the examination findings of the mucous membranes of the horse.
Inspection and palpation.
● Colour – normal is light pink
● Moisture – normal is shiny and moist. Look for mucus quality and quantity
● Membrane vessels – normal is they can be slightly recognised, if more - haemorrhage
● Surface – normal is smooth and intact. Conjunctiva can be moderately ruffled. Look
for lesions.
● Capillary refill time – under 2 seconds. Normal is one second. Longer if hypovolemia
Abnormal – pale, anaemic, cyanotic, yellow, dull, livid, dirty red, haemorrhage (petechiae,
suffusions, echymosis), sticky, dry (shock), injected (hyperaemia – press and it disappears or
haemorrhage – press it doesn’t disappear). If lesions – how many, size, shape, borders,
location, colour, consistency etc.
Look at conjunctiva, mouth (top lip), nasal, anal, genital – 1st clinical signs of icterus
Same small animal but use third eyelid and also look inside nose. Nasolacrimal gland is not a
lesion.
Describe the examination findings of the mucous membranes of the cattle.
As small animals
Describe the examination findings of the mucous membranes of the sheep and the goat.
As small animals
Describe the examination findings of the upper airways of the horse.
Examine – nose and parnasal sinuses, coughing, larynx and pharynx (and guttural pouch),
trachea
Nose – external and internal exam. Inspection, palpation, percussion, smelling. Further exams
of nasal fluid – bacteriological, cytology, mycology, parasitic exam. Also x-ray, endoscopy,
biopsy, CT, MRI.
● Look at shape and form of nose. Symmetry, intact skin, consistency, temp,
painfulness, movability etc. Fine needle aspiration for cytology.
● occurrence of nasal stridor (stridor = specific sound if narrowing) – ok if faint regular
noise during expiration (pig and brachycephalic dog is more intensive). Abnormal if
stridor (inha/exhale) – try to determine origin. Sneezing – dog & young horse can be
normal – protects air passages. Horses – roaring – paralysis of left side of larynx
● expired air – strength & deepness of breathing, symmetry (hands or mirror), temp,
smell. Upper airway narrow expired air is weaker.
● nasal discharge – colour, quality, quantity, consistency, side, continuity, smell. So
water, mucus, foamy etc. All before choanae is one sided, behind choanae is double
sided discharge (e.g. horse guttural pouch). Bleeding from nose is epistasis.. Bilateral
– coagulopathy, unilateral – trauma or blood vessel rupture. Blood can be from as far
back as duodenum.
● Smell of breath.
● nasal openings and nostrils – shape, width, movability of allae (horse), symmetrical.
Facial paralysis – drooping ear, eyelid or nose. Check mucus membrane esp horse as
easy to see.
● palate, nasopharynx – Horse only by endoscopy and if sedated. Paralysis – roaring.
Surgical correction.
● Paranasal and frontal sinuses – inspection, percussion, palpation.
● In horse the guttural pouch. Borders – cranial is caudal mandible, ventral is
lingofacial vein, caudal is tendon of insertion of sternocephalicus – usually is a
sunken in hollow unless inflamed. If pus resonance is dull – should be gas filled.
Endoscope – check muscles, nerves, mucus membranes
● Coughing – squeeze larynx or first tracheal ring – intense, short, sharp, high, dry, non
painful, with snap which does not reoccur
● Trachea – inspection and palpation and Auscultation - weak stridor at pharynx of
horse. Endoscope – mucus and colour. Can take sample
● Carina – wall between 2 bronchi – should be thin- if it is rounded there is a problem
● Really need to gallop horse on endoscope exam.
● DO ENDOSCOPE EXAM!!!!
Describe the examination findings of the upper airways of the cattle.
As horse
Induce coughing in the horse and the cattle, describe the findings.
Horse – press larynx and/or tracheal rings close to larynx. Hard to do. Cough is intensive,
sharp, high, short, dry, painless, with snap, which does not reoccur
Cow. Close mouth and nose until air hunger. Medium intensive, medium deep. More dull.
Dry, held, painless, unsnapping
Describe the examination findings of inspection and palpation of the equine and bovine
thorax.
Inspection, palpation, [percussion, auscultation not here but normally as part of exam]
Further – x-ray, ultrasound (rare), BAL (bronchial fluid sample (and analysis)– via endoscope
or trans-tracheal wash), thoracentesis, biopsy, scintigraphy, lung function, blood test/acid-
base tests
Inspection:
● Chest - skin, size, bi-lateral symmetry – Ru slight left side bigger ok as rumen, local
deformities – e.g. spinal problems such as lordosis will change shape of chest too.
Also long coat may make exam difficult so palpate. Oedema in chest can collect
ventrally and change the shape – can see in cattle.
● Respiratory movement
o Frequency. Increase – tachnpnoe – normal if excitement, work, obesity, high
temp, pregnancy. Abnormal – fever, hypoxia, hypercapnia (high CO2), pain
in respiratory organs. Decrease – bradypnoe – abnormal – CNS problems,
severe pain, barbiturate toxicosis, shock
o Rhythm –normally inspiration is a bit longer than expiration. Held inspiration
– narrowed upper airway or high abdominal pressure (pregnancy, ascites etc.),
Held expiration – decreased lung elasticity, microbronchitis, shorter
inspiration/expiration – pain, asymmetric breathing – pain in one lung lobe,
intermittent inspiration – long, exhausting work, normally during excitement.
Abnormal – pain in chest.
o Type – normally costabdominal in horses, dogs and cats. Ruminants is mainly
abdominal. Abnormal costal –problem with diaphragm, abdominal pain and
increased pressure- pregnancy, ascites etc. Narrowed upper airway or
compression of lung. Abnormal abdominal – painful chest diseases or
paralysis of intercostal muscles.
o Depth – normal is medium deep. Shallow – painful diaphragm/chest. Deep –
exercise, hypoxia, characteristic sign of dyspnoea.
Palpation:
● Temp of skin, symmetry, palpate intercostal spaces up to down looking for pain
● Fremitus pectoralis – can find during dry pleurisy, bronchitis, fibrinous pericarditis,
stenotic cardiac valve/valve insufficiency. Have fremitus in grade 5 or 6 heart murmur
● Painfulness
● Deformities
Describe the findings of thoracic auscultation (heart, lung) in the horse.
Auscultation – mainly indirect (also direct):
Lungs - Front to back. From up to down. In each third of the thorax. In a quiet environment.
At least 5 places put stethoscope. Can say hear ‘normal respiratory sounds’ Horse should be
very quiet. Soft inspiration, weak expiration
Practical says start from 3-6 intercostal space as most problems here. If here nothing can put
on muzzle – when take of big inspiration – listen.
Heart
3-6 intercostal space left and 3-5 intercostal space right side.
● Inspection
● Palpation. Check for pulse deficit. Ventricular contraction and pulse should be the
same in number. Palpate to check if heart is/is not in correct position – hydrothorax,
fluid, neoplasm. Can also feel fremitus from palpation – can be a severe heart
murmur. Palpate left and right side
● Auscultation – If COPD and can’t hear heart over the lung sounds, cover the nose to
stop breathing. FRIDA – Frequency – normal (30-40 beats per min), Rhythm –
regular but horse can have pronounced respiratory arrhythmia – can get conduction
disturbance and second degree AV block. Or dropped beat – no ventricular
contraction. This is normal, particularly in fit competition horses. Intensity – strong
and even. Demarcation – normal – no splitting of beat or galloping rhythm (unless
after hard exercise), Adventitious sounds – none. Grading of heart murmurs. Grade 1 –
very soft – only hear after a few seconds in a quiet room. Grade 2 – very soft but
easily heard directly on auscultation. Grade 3 – moderate intensity with good
audibility. Grade 4 – loud murmur, good audibility but no precordial thrill (fremitus).
Grade 5 – very loud murmur with precordial thrill, Grade 6 – loudest murmur – can
hear with stethoscope lifted from chest wall.
● Horse can have 4 heart sounds, usually just 2.
● Percussion. Can pull foreleg forward to do it. Absolute cardiac dullness, then relative
cardiac dullness left and right sides as heart in contact with thoracic wall.
