Ruminants

Question 1

What are the predisposing factors to displacement of the abomasum?

Answer 1

Hypocalcaemia
Genetic predisposition
Strenuous activity
Abomasal atony
Increased gas production (e.g. grain rich feed)
Concurrent diseases e.g. metritis

Question 2

What is the general underlying cause of erosive and ulcerative gastritis in cattle?

What are some examples of causes?

Answer 2

Increased contact time between epithelium and abomasal acid.

e.g. Dietary change, acidosis, BVD, impact, displacement, long periods with empty abomasum

Question 3

What are the consequences of parasitic gastritis in cattle, such as that caused by ostertagiosis?

Answer 3

Ill-thrift
Oedema
Diarrhoea
Protein loss
Impaired acid secretion and elevation of gastric pH
Epithelial necrosis
Secondary bacterial infection

Question 4

What does conservative treatment of a left displaced abomasum typically entail?

Answer 4

Casting and rolling (right lat. to dorsal, pause, to left lat.)
NSAIDs +/- Buscopan
Oral fluid therapy
Treatment and correction of metabolic imbalances

Question 5

What are the surgical approaches to correcting a left displaced abomasum?

Answer 5

Right paralumbar with pyloro/omento-pexy
Bilateral paralumbar with pyloro/omento-pexy
Left paralumbar fossa with abomaso/omento-pexy
Right paramedian with abomasopexy
Toggle pin suture with or without laparoscopic correction

Question 6

What are the complications associated with abomasal surgery?

Answer 6

Abomasitis +/- ulceration
Hypomotility / atony
Peritonitis
Wound infections
Pexy failure +/- redisplacement
Adhesions
Intestinal incarceration

Question 7

What are the signs of potential endotoxic shock in cattle?

Answer 7

HR 100BPM+
Congested mucous membranes
CRT >3secs
Weak peripheral pulses
Cold extremities

Question 8

What would be the indications for surgical treatment of hardware disease?

Answer 8

Signs of acute cranial abdominal pain (elbow abduction, fast and shallow respiration, arched back)
Pyrexia
Grunting associated with reticular contraction
No response to conservative management within 24hrs

Question 9

What medication is recommended in the conservative management of traumatic reticulopericarditis?

Answer 9

Broad spectrum systemic antibiotics
NSAIDs
Oral fluid therapy

Question 10

How does primary “frothy” bloat develop?

Answer 10

Change to fermentable diet that lowers the rumen pH (e.g. high concentrates, lush grass, legumes)
Gas bubbles and RR contents form a stable foam
This blocks the cardia so eructation cannot occur
Rumen distends as nowhere for gas to go

Question 11

What are possible causes of secondary bloat?

Answer 11

Oesophageal/cardial obstruction
Innervation disorders
Failure of oesophageal groove closure

Question 12

What is the difference between primary and secondary bloat?

Answer 12

Primary: dietary change leads to gas build up, which causes the obstruction

Secondary: obstruction occurs first, which then causes build up

Question 13

What is a ‘bloat line’ on post mortem?

Answer 13

Demarcation of congested proximal oesophagus (sign of potential bloat)

Question 14

How does ruminal acidosis develop and lead to death?

Answer 14

High carb diet causes increase in lactic acid production due to microbiota changes
This reduces the pH of the RR
The osmotic pressure in the RR increases, drawing water from circulation
This leads to dehydration, circulatory collapse, rumen atony and death

Question 15

How can ruminal acidosis progress into ruminitis?

Answer 15

Excess acid can damage squamous epithelia
Lesions can allow secondary bacterial infection to develop
Or opportunistic fungi to penetrate wall

Question 16

What are the effects of bacterial ruminitis as an infection secondary to ruminal acidosis?

Answer 16

Necrosis of rumen with ulcers and scars
Embolism to liver leading to abscesses
Development of necrotising hepatitis

Question 17

What are potential consequences of mycotic rumenitis?

Answer 17

Peritonitis
Vasculitis leading to thrombosis and infarction of ruminal mucosa
Abortion through spread to placenta

Question 18

What are the four types of Vagal indigestion?

Answer 18

I: Damage to vagus nerve leading to eructation failure and bloat
II: Damage leading to a failure of omasal emptying into abomasum
III: Damage leading to abomasal impaction or displacement
IV: Compression of nerve due to pregnancy-related abomasal shifting

Question 19

What are the main causes of calf diarrhoea?

Answer 19

Rotavirus
Coronavirus
Cryptosporidia
Enterotoxigenic E. coli

Question 20

Nutritional diarrhoea in calves is due to poor clotting of casein. What can cause this?

Answer 20

Failure of sufficient acid and enzyme secretion
Poor quality milk product
Incorrect concentration of milk powder
Feeding milk at incorrect temperature
Irregular feeding times
Abomasal infection
Overfeeding

Question 21

Calf diphtheria is caused by…

Answer 21

Fusobacterium necrophorum

Question 22

Treatment for Calf Diphtheria

Answer 22

Penicillin, Improved hygiene, avoid coarse food

Question 23

Clinical signs of immature rumen syndrome

Answer 23

Pot-belled appearance, thin pasty faeces, hungry calf (vocalisation)

Question 24

Cause of immature rumen syndrome

Answer 24

Often if weaned too early
Calves eat large volumes of fibre which immature rumen cannot fully digest
Rumen becomes dilated and calf is still hungry

Question 25

Treatment for immature rumen syndrome

Answer 25

Drastic reduction in roughage Swap straw bedding for shavings Feed palatable concentrates Inoculate rumen with adult ruminal fluid

Question 26

Advantages of right paralumbar laparotomy for LDA

Answer 26

Good visualisation of right abdomen Low recurrence risk Animal can stay standing Assistant not required

Question 27

Advantages of left paralumbar approach to LDA

Answer 27

``` Good visual of abomasum Can break down adhesions Low recurrence Animal can stay standing Useful in cows in late gestation ```

Question 28

Advantages of right paramedian approach to LDA

Answer 28

``` Allows visualisation of abomasal fundus and other abdominal viscera Adhesions can be managed More rapid than other procedures Low risk of recurrence Surgeon arm length is not restrictive Appropriate for any size of displacement ```

Question 29

Advantages and disadvantages of toggle-pin suture for LDA

Answer 29

Quick and cheap Can't visualise viscera as doing blind Potential risk of trauma to personnel and cow Requires rolling space and man power

Question 30

How should poisoning in cattle be treated?

Answer 30

Ruminal contents removed Rumen lavaged with copious amounts of warm water Provide activated charcoal Manage and correct any effects of poison

Question 31

Clinical signs of urachal abscess

Answer 31

``` Poor growth / ill-thrift Pollakiuria / polyuria Stranguria / pyuria / haematuria +/- Pyrexia +/- Purulent umbilical discharge ```

Question 32

Causes of stillbirth in cattle.

Answer 32

``` Dystocia/anoxia (foetal oversize) Pre-partum infection: BVD, Leptospira, Trueperella pyogenes Twinning Iodine deficiency in mother Vitamin E/Se deficiency in mother ```

Question 33

Signs of intra-partum deaths

Answer 33

Hypoxia lesions Subcutaneous oedema (esp of head and neck) Atelactic / inflated lungs Possible traction injuries

Question 34

Signs of post-partum neonatal death.

Answer 34

Evidence of dystocia Blood clot in navel Lungs partially or fully inflated Colostrum in stomach

Question 35

Neonatal septicaemia signs

Answer 35

``` Sudden onset dullness Pyrexia Inappetence Sticky, mucoid saliva drooling Prostration Diarrhoea Sudden death ```

Question 36

Bacterial meningitis signs in calves

Answer 36

``` Depression, lethargy Hypopyon Opisthotonus Blindness Hyperaesthesia Paddling Convulsions Coma Diarrhoea Acidosis Hyperkalaemia ```

Question 37

Bacterial meningitis treatment in calves

Answer 37

ABx: TMS I/V twice a day Amoxyclav I/M Anticonvulsants: Xylazine I/V fluids if unable to feed

Question 38

Causal agents of navel/joint-ill

Answer 38

E.coli Fusobacterium necrophorum Less common: Strep Staph Pasteurella

Question 39

Prevention and control of Johne's Disease

Answer 39

Segregation and culling of infected Separation of calves from infected dams and feed colostrum from known uninfected dams Pasteurisation of colostrum Avoid pooled colostrum Cull offspring from infected cows Ensure calf pastures free of adult faeces Don't use calves as followers on pasture

Question 40

Aetiology of Johne's Disease

Answer 40

``` Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis Organism acquired: From faeces Contaminated items Vertical transmission ``` Survives on pasture for around 6 months

Question 41

Diagnosis of Johne's

Answer 41

Based on clinical signs Serology ELISA Faecal culture +/- PCR

Question 42

Clinical signs of Johne's Disease

Answer 42

Usually 2y+ Diarrhoea (homogenous, no blood) Weight loss Ventral oedema

Question 43

Malignant Catarrhal Fever cause

Answer 43

Ovine Herpesvirus 2 (OHV-2)

Question 44

Malignant Catarrhal Fever epidemiology

Answer 44

No cattle to cattle spread Spread by close contact between sheep (neonates particularly good spreaders) and cattle Does not cause disease in sheep - silent carriers

Question 45

Differentials for abdominal distension in calves

Answer 45

``` Abomasal torsion Abomasal dilatation Abomasal ulcers (perforated or not) Torsion of root of mesentery Acute diffuse peritonitis Intussesception Atresia coli (Per)acute enteritis Umbilical abscess Ruminal bloat ```

Question 46

Clinical signs of Malignant Catarrhal Fever in cattle

Answer 46

``` Sudden death Marked pyrexia Superficial lymphadenomegaly Mucopurulent nasal and ocular discharge Mucous membrane ulceration Head pressing (or other neuro signs) Increased salivation Dyspnoea Joint swelling Dermatitis Increased corneal opacity Urticaria ```

Question 47

Clinical signs of Bovine Papular Stomatitis

Answer 47

Lesions confined to muzzle, nostril, buccal mucosa | Small circular reddish papules

Question 48

Cause of Bovine Papular Stomatitis

Answer 48

Parapox virus

Question 49

Differentials for poor growth rate in an individual calf

Answer 49

``` Chronic suppurative pneumonia Congenital cardiac lesions Chronic joint-ill Chronic enteritis Omphalophlebitis Liver abscess Chronic ruminal maldigestion Chronic nephritis Congenital defects BVD persistently infected ```

Question 50

Winter dysentery in cattle - pathogenesis and epidemiology

Answer 50

``` Acute, sometimes severe diarrhoea Usually November (into January) Caused by coronavirus infection First lactation heifers more severely affected High morbidity, low mortality ```

Question 51

Copper deficiency clinical signs in cattle

Answer 51

Depigmentation Diarrhoea without anorexia or fever Reduced milk yield Weight loss

Question 52

Differentials for salivary loss / hypersalivation in cattle

Answer 52

``` Malignant Catarrhal Fever Foot and Mouth Disease Vesicular stomatitis Listeria meningoencephalitis Actinobacillosis Calf diphtheria Abscess/lesion in mouth Foreign body Dental disease Botulism ```

Question 53

Wooden Tongue cause

Answer 53

Actinobacillus lignieresii | 'Rough' forage causing initial lesion for infection to invade

Question 54

Wooden Tongue clinical signs

Answer 54

Painful tongue Swelling of tongue at base Involvement of local draining lymph nodes Sudden onset salivation

Question 55

Wooden Tongue / Actinobacillosis treatment

Answer 55

5-7 days IM Streptomycin

Question 56

Actinomycosis in cattle - cause, signs, treatment

Answer 56

Actinomyces bovis Hard, painless swelling on jaw Potential dysphagia and weight loss Treat early with tetracyclines

Question 57

Watery Mouth predispositions and cause

Answer 57

Very young lambs (<2 days) Often twins/triplets Common in housed lambing Inadequate / delayed colostrum intake + concurrent NON-enterotoxigenic E Coli

Question 58

Watery Mouth signs

Answer 58

``` Dullness / weakness Unwilling to suck Drooling saliva Acidosis (which leads to suck reflex suppression!) Hypothermia Abdominal gas distension Death within 12-24 hours ```

Question 59

Watery Mouth treatment

Answer 59

Intraperitoneal glucose (as for hypothermic lambs) ABx PO/Systemic Buscopan NSAIDs (meloxicam)

Question 60

Watery Mouth control and prevention

Answer 60

``` Avoid having thin ewes Ensure adequate colostrum intake Avoid early stress e.g. castration, docking Good hygiene (bedding, stomach tubes) Use lots of bedding in between ewes Early turn out of lambs where possible ```

Question 61

Lamb Dysentery Pathogenesis and Control

Answer 61

Clostridium perfringens Type B Haemorrhagic enteritis in lambs 1-3d old Sudden death - 100% mortality CLOSTRIDIAL VACCINATION - LAMBIVAC

Question 62

Coccidiosis in lambs - cause and signs

Answer 62

Eimeria spp. ``` Dehydration Dull coat Tenesmus Bloody and mucoid diarrhoea Possible rectal prolapse ```

Question 63

Coccidiosis treatment in lambs

Answer 63

Diclazuril / Vecoxin Toltrazuril / Baycox Decoquinate / Deccox

Question 64

Nematodirosis - when and who affected?

Answer 64

Late spring / early summer Only lambs show signs: Profuse watery diarrhoea

Question 65

Ovine skin disease examples

Answer 65

``` Contagious pustular dermatitis / Orf virus Dermatophytosis Dermatophilosis Photosensitisation Cullicoides hypersensitivity Staphylococcal dermatitis Psoroptes ovis / Sheep scab ```

Question 66

Bovine foot lameness causes

Answer 66

``` Sole ulcers White line disease Sole bruising Digital dermatitis Foul / Interdigital necrobacillosis Interdigital hyperplasia FB penetration ```

Question 67

Treatment of hock cellulitis / bursitis

Answer 67

Not usually necessary unless secondary infection ABx will usually relieve lameness DO NOT INCISE AND DRAIN

Question 68

Osteomyelitis causes in calves and foals

Answer 68

``` Trueperella Streptococcus Staphylococcus Salmonella E. coli ```