Sudden Death

Question 1

Rule outs for sudden death will depend on what?

Answer 1

the interval and intensity of observation
for instance, lactating dairy cows are observed most often (2-3x/day) whereas stockers and feedlot cattle might only be seen once a week.

Question 2

what are the 4 cardiovascular causes of sudden death in cattle?

Answer 2

1. selenium deficiency/white muscle disease (young animal –> exertion –> arrhythmia and death)
2. Rupture of major arteries (aorta, cranial mesenteric, or uterine; can occur as result of copper deficiency)
3. cardiac tamponade (hardware dz, heart tumors)
4. arrhythmias

Question 3

what are the 2 respiratory causes of sudden death in cattle?

Answer 3

1. pneumonia
2. bloat (dietary, positional, or choke)

Question 4

T/F: a bloat line is pathognomonic for sudden death caused by bloat

Answer 4

false – bloating a natural post-mortem occurrence, so the bloat line can be apparent whether or not bloat was the actual cause of death.

Question 5

what is a GI cause of sudden death in cattle?

Answer 5

rupture abomasal or cecal ulcer –> severe peritonitis
(can be due to Copper Deficiency or C. perfringens)

Question 6

How does gram - mastitis, salmonella, and grain overload cause sudden death in cattle?

Answer 6

endotoxemia from the bacterial organisms

Question 7

How does blackleg cause sudden death in cattle?

Answer 7

clostridium chauveoi releases exotoxins

Question 8

what organism leads to enterotoxemia and causes sudden death in cattle?

Answer 8

C. perfringens

Question 9

How does anthrax cause sudden death in cattle?

Answer 9

produces lethal factor and edema factor

these animals will have lack of rigor mortis, be bleeding from orifices, and if you cut their ear the blood will not clot. Do not do necropsy! call the state vet.

Question 10

how does hypocalcemia cause sudden death in cattle?

Answer 10

lack of muscle contraction and nerve conduction –> heart failure

Question 11

how does hypomagnesemia cause sudden death in cattle?

Answer 11

affects nerve conduction and neurologic function
can cause them to be down, paddling, and having tonic-clonic seizures

Question 12

T/F: salt intoxication or water deprivation can cause sudden death in cattle

Answer 12

true

Question 13

what are examples of exogenous toxins that can cause sudden death in cattle?

Answer 13

• lead
• copper toxicosis in sheep
• japenese yew
• nitrates
• cyanogenic plant
• urea toxicosis
• monensin toxicosis
• insecticides

Question 14

who is at highest risk for cold-induced sudden death?

Answer 14

neonates

Question 15

T/F: heat stress can cause sudden death in any age of cattle.

Answer 15

true

Question 16

T/F: lightening is a common cause of sudden death in cattle.

Answer 16

true

Question 17

Why is the eyeball a good post-mortem sample to take in cases of possible mineral imbalance-induced sudden death?

Answer 17

Ca and Mg stay constant in the eye