PATHOLOGY - Calf Diseases

Question 1

What are some of the common diseases seen in calves?

Answer 1

Umbilical infection (‘naval ill’)
Septic arthritis (‘joint ill’)
Septicaemia
Meningitis
Mineral deficiencies
Pneumonia
Ruminal drinking
Abomasitis and abomasal bloat

Question 2

What are the three anatomical components of the calf umbilicus?

Answer 2

Urachus
Umbilical vein
Umbilical artery

Question 3

What is omphalitis?

Answer 3

Omphalitis is the infection of the umbilicus

Question 4

What is omphaloarteritis?

Answer 4

Omphaloarteritis is the infection of the umbilical artery

Question 5

What is omphalophlebitis?

Answer 5

Omphalophlebitis is the infection of the umbilical vein

Question 6

What are the risk factors for umbilical infection (‘naval ill’)?

Answer 6

Poor umbilical management
Dirty environment
Failure of passive transfer (poor colostrum management)

Question 7

What are the clinical signs of an umbilical infection (‘naval ill’)?

Answer 7

Hot, swollen and painful umbilicus
± Pustulent discharge
± Lameness
± Urinary tract signs
± Systemic clinical signs

Question 8

What can cause lameness associated with an umbilical infection (‘naval ill’)?

Answer 8

An umbilical infection (‘naval ill’) can result in bacteriaemia and secondary septic arthritis (‘joint ill’) which can manifest as lameness

Question 9

How do you treat an umbilical infection (‘naval ill’)?

Answer 9

2 to 3 week course of broad spectrum antibiotics

Question 10

What are the potential consequences of an umbilical infection (‘naval ill’)?

Answer 10

Abcessation
Septicaemia
Septic arthritis (‘joint ill’)
Cystitis
Hypopyon

Question 11

Which organ is usually affected by abcessation secondary to an umbilical infection (‘naval ill’)?

Answer 11

Liver abcessation

Question 12

What is hypopyon?

Answer 12

Hypopyon is the accumulation of pus in the anterior chamber of the eye

Question 13

How can you prevent umbilical infections (‘naval ill’) in calves?

Answer 13

Iodine dip the umbilicus
Environmental management
Colostrum management

Question 14

Which condition can present similarly to an umbilical infection (‘naval ill’)?

Answer 14

Umbilical hernia

Question 15

How do you differentiate an umbilical hernia from an umbilical infection?

Answer 15

An umbilical hernia is a congenital condition which will have a palpable hernial ring, will be reducible and is generally not hot or painful

Question 16

How do you treat an umbilical hernia?

Answer 16

Umbilical hernias should resolve by themselves however may require surgical repair if they persist

Question 17

What is the prognosis for an umbilical hernia?

Answer 17

Do not breed from these cattle as this is a hereditary condition

Question 18

What are the clinical signs of septic arthritis (‘joint ill’) in calves?

Answer 18

One to multiple joint swellings
Lameness
Pyrexia
± Clinical signs of an umbilical infection (‘naval ill’)

Question 19

How do you treat septic arthritis (‘joint ill’)?

Answer 19

3 weeks of broad spectrum antibiotics, preferably intravenously
NSAIDs

Question 20

What is the prognosis for septic arthritis (‘joint ill’) in calves?

Answer 20

Poor prognosis

Question 21

What is septicaemia?

Answer 21

Septicaemia is the systemic response associated with the presence of pathogenic microorganisms or their toxins in the blood

Question 22

Describe briefly the pathogenesis of septicaemia

Answer 22

In response to pathogenic microorganisms or their toxins within the blood there will be a systemic inflammatory response which will trigger the release of inflammatory mediators and activation of the coagulation cascade resulting in endothelial cell dysfunction and microvascular thrombosis. This will result in an imbalance between oxygen consumption and delivery resulting in tissue hypoperfusion, ischaemia and organ dysfunction. This will progress to refractory hypotension, multi-system organ failure and death

Question 23

Which pathogens are the most common cause of septicaemia in calves?

Answer 23

E. coli
Salmonella

Question 24

What are the risk factors for septicaemia in calves?

Answer 24

Dirty environment
Failure of passive transfer

Question 25

What are the clinical signs of septicaemia in calves?

Answer 25

Sudden death Depression Decreased suckling reflex Pyrexia or hypothermia Tachycardia Tachypnoea Mucous membrane congestion Clinical signs of localised infection

Question 26

How do you treat septicaemia in calves?

Answer 26

Intravenous broad spectrum antibiotics NSAIDs Supportive treatment

Question 27

What is the prognosis for septicaemia in calves?

Answer 27

Poor prognosis

Question 28

What is meningitis commonly secondary to in calves?

Answer 28

Septicaemia Pneumonia

Question 29

What are the clinical signs of meningitis in calves?

Answer 29

Depression Decreased suckling reflex Pyrexia Head pressing Opisothotonous posturing Ataxia Blindness Hyperaesthesia

Question 30

Which condition can have a very similar clinical presentation to meningitis in calves?

Answer 30

Vitamin B1 deficiency

Question 31

How do you treat meningitis in calves?

Answer 31

2 week course of antibiotics which can cross the blood brain barrier NSAIDs Sedation *(calf will be very stressed)*

Question 32

What is the prognosis of meningitis in calves?

Answer 32

Poor prognosis

Question 33

How does a selenium or vitamin E deficiency present?

Answer 33

A selenium or vitamin E deficiency in calves results in a decreased immune response, predisposes to retained foetal membranes and causes white muscle disease

Question 34

How does an iodine deficiency present in calves?

Answer 34

An iodine deficiency results in decreased thyroid hormone production which will result in a decreased metabolic rate as well as present as goitre

Question 35

How does a vitamin A deficiency present in calves?

Answer 35

A vitamin A deficiency can result in blindness and stillborn or weak calves

Question 36

What are the two main causes of aspiration pneumonia in calves?

Answer 36

Tube feeding Aspirating meconium due to a difficult calving

Question 37

What is the oesophageal reflex in calves?

Answer 37

In normal calves, suckling stimulates the closure of the oesophageal groove which directs ingested milk into the abomasum, bypassing the rumen. This prevents the fermentation of the milk in the rumen which is essential for the neonatal calf to gain maximum nutrition from the milk

Question 38

What is ruminal drinking?

Answer 38

Ruminal drinking refers to the condition where there is a failure of the oesophageal reflex and milk is directed into the rumen instead of being directed into the abomasum for digestion

Question 39

What are some of the risk factors for oesophageal groove failure and ruminal drinking?

Answer 39

Inconsistent milk feeding schedule Poor quality milk replacer

Question 40

What are the clinical signs of ruminal drinking?

Answer 40

Ruminal bloat Failure to thrive Poor growth rates Decreased appetite Pot-belly Clinical signs of metabolic acidosis

Question 41

How do you treat ruminal drinking?

Answer 41

If calves are close to weaning, then you can stop feeding milk and instead feed them good quality hay and concentrates. If they are too young to stop feeding milk, try to reinstate the oesophageal groove reflex by promoting suckling

Question 42

What is the typical signalement for abomasitis and abomasal bloat?

Answer 42

Abomasitis and abomasal bloat is typically seen in calves less than 3 weeks old

Question 43

What increases the risk of abomasitis and abomasal bloat in calves?

Answer 43

The risk of abomasitis and abomasal bloat in calves is increased by any factor which promotes the proliferation of anaerobic bacteria within the abomasum (i.e. clostridium perfringens)

Question 44

What are the risk factors for abomasitis and abomasal bloat in calves?

Answer 44

Inconsistent milk feeding schedule Failure of passive transfer Contaminated milk or colostrum Inadequate fresh clean water Hyperconcentrated milk replacer

Question 45

What are the clinical signs of abomasitis and abomasal bloat?

Answer 45

Abdominal distension Depression Colic Teeth grinding Hypersalivation

Question 46

What should you do if presented with a calf with a congenital disease?

Answer 46

Investigate the dam to see if there could have been any teratogens which could have resulted in this congenital disease and investigate the sire bull. You will have to report this to prevent furthering breeding of these individuals