URT-Nasal, Pharyngeal and Laryngeal Diseases of Cattle

Question 1

Nasal granulomas and allergic rhinitis is sporadic and rare. Imagine what a cow with this disease would look and sound like if she presented to you.

Answer 1

Nasal granulomas are caused by most mycotic and bacterial pathogens and all of them are rare. It is an uncommon condition. Animals will present with disruption of normal airflow due to the nasal granuloma.

Question 2

Describe a nasal granuloma lesion.

Answer 2

This is a localized granuloma within the nasal cavity that will cause granulomatous inflammation, nasal discharge, and impaired inspiration.

Question 3

What are the clinical signs seen with nasal granulomas?

Answer 3

It is centered on disruption of normal airflow.
Upper respiratory noise- stridor
Inspiratory dyspnea which can be exasperated by heat and dust.
Serosanguenous or bloody nasal discharge- unilateral
Epistaxis
Single or multifocal lesions located anywhere in the nasal cavity

Question 4

How to diagnose nasal granulomas?

Answer 4

If you can see it –> biopsy it because then you can diagnose it,Culture or histopath will reveal hyphae or sporidium
TX: Sodium Iodide 66 mg/kg IV, Repeat every 6 weeks until signs of iodism (watch out for anaphylaxis)
- can also do intralesional injection with antifungals or antibiotics to avoid systemic issues

Question 5

What are signs of iodism?

Answer 5

flaky skin, alopecia, ropey nasal discharge
Treat them right before toxicity, usually 3-4 TX

Question 6

Allergic rhinitis can become?

Answer 6

enzootic nasal granuloma

Question 7

What causes allergic rhinitis?

Answer 7

Allergic reaction against a plant pollen or a fungal spore resulting in nasal inflammation

Question 8

What is the pathophysiology difference between allergic rhinitis and enzootic nasal granuloma?

Answer 8

Allergic rhinitis is due to acute exposure and is a mast cell and IgE mediated inflammation (Type 1 Hypersensitivity)

Enzootic nasal granuloma is due to chronic damage that induces granulomas, and is macrophage mediated inflammation.

Question 9

What clinical signs are associated with acute allergic rhinitis and chronic enzootic nasal granuloma?

Answer 9

Acute signs: sneezing, nasal discharge, pruritus, dyspnea, Stertorous breathing, inflamed mucosa

Chronic: many of the same signs as acute but also multiple focal granulomas or plaques throughout the nasal cavity.

Question 10

Who gets allergic rhinitis?

Answer 10

Channel Island breeds (a few holsteins reported too)
Younger animals (6 months and 2 years)
More common in the summer and in warm moist environments

Question 11

How does one diagnose allergic rhinitis?

Answer 11

Well it is much like fungal granulomas so biopsy and send it off. Were looking for eosinophils and mast cells.
Also clinical signs!
Granulomas are going to be 1-2 mm and are nodules/plaque like

Question 12

What therapy will bring the best resolution for nasal granulomas or allergic rhinitis.

Answer 12

Treat an inflammatory mediated disease by controlling the inflammation. USE: Dexamethasone (watch out for pregnant cows because fetal cortisol initiates parturition and Dex mimics this) & Flunixin meglumine IV q 12-24 (not quite as effective)

Other options: Isofluprednisone
Topical corticosteroids
Antihistamines (tripleenamine)

Question 13

What cell types are associated with acute and chronic allergic rhinitis?

Answer 13

Acute- Mast cells and IgE
Chronic- Macrophages

Question 14

What NSAIDs are available for use in cattle in the United States? Why should dexamethasone be used cautiously in some cattle?

Answer 14

Dexamethasone and Flunixin meglumine

Dex: watch out for pregnant cows because fetal cortisol initiates parturition and Dex mimics this

Question 15

What is the single most important predisposing risk for the development of sinusitis in cattle?
Why are bucking bulls most prone to this disease?

Answer 15

Dehorning which opens the frontal sinus and allows debris to collect in the ventral sinuses which is nearly impossible to remove.

Horn tipping occurs in bucking bulls and if tipped too short then it opens up the sinus cavity also theyre more prone to horn trauma resulting in potential for bacterial to enter.

Question 16

What are the clinical signs associated with the acute phase of sinusitis and the chronic phase of sinusitis?

Answer 16

Acute: fever, nasal discharge-unilateral and mucupurulent, malaise, stridor, anorexia

Chronic (creates dramatic signs): not febrile, nasal discharge, foul odor of the breath, malformation of the face, exophthalmos, neurologic signs (head tilt)

Question 17

How do you diagnose sinusitis?

Answer 17

thump cows head and it will reveal a dull thud = inflamed sinuses

Presentation is usually obvious and culture is usually meaningless
Note changes in symmetry, nasal, or ocular discharge

Question 18

Which sinuses communicate in cattle?

Answer 18

In BOVINE there is a cornual diverticulum (Fig. 14B-8), which is an extension of the frontal sinus into the cornual process. Numerous septa divide the BOVINE frontal sinus, one of which almost completely and divides the frontal sinus into a rostral and a caudal compartment.

The maxillary sinus extends into the lacrimal bulla. Dorsal to the maxillary sinus is the dorsal conchal sinus. An infected tooth is the cause of maxillary sinusitis.

Question 19

How do you know which sinus to trephine and lavage in Sinusitis?

Answer 19

If your percussion of the skull gives you enough evidence to isolate it to one area, then you will drill a hole in the frontal or maxillary sinus.
make the most ventral hole so material can drain out

Then lavage, lavage, lavage!!

Antibiotics are indicated – Penicillin is a good choice because anaerobes are frequently isolated.
NSAIDs

Question 20

What drugs are indicated with sinusitis?

Answer 20

Antibiotics are indicated – Penicillin is a good choice because anaerobes are frequently isolated. –> T. Pyogenes
& NSAIDs

Question 21

Why is sinusitis so hard to treat?

Answer 21

given the difficulty in cleaning the sinuses, treatment is often long and arduous
SO procaine penicillin G is given often and Flunixin meglumine (NSAID if inflammation is really bad)

Question 22

What is the best method for dehorning?

Answer 22

Breeding for polledness as the dominant trait (if one parent is the dominant then all the offspring will be polled)
- If you have to dehorn, age makes a difference so do it young and make sure you do it before the keratin is present.

Question 23

What sets up a calf for developing necrotic laryngitis?

Answer 23

This is also known as calf diptheria for the diptheritic membranes on the arytenoid membranes

Initial damage to the laryngeal mucosa and cartilage from mucosal ulcers caused by upper respiratory viral infections, water deprivation, or contact with toxic chemicals allows infection of F. necrophorum

Question 24

What is the primary pathogen associated
with this necrotic laryngitis?

Answer 24

Fusobacterium necrophorum ~the baddest anaerobe you’ll ever meet

This is an anaerobic gram -, that causes inflammation due to the production of endotoxin and a leukotoxin. Severe inflammation and necrosis results in the formation of a diphtheritic
membrane over the laryngeal cartilage.

Question 25

Whats the pathophysiology of necrotic laryngitis?

Answer 25

lesions arise from laryngeal irritation and trauma due to long hauls, viral infections, and bawling (vocalization) laryngeal mucosal damage which allows for easy invasion of F. necrophorum to invade damaged mucosa

Question 26

What are the clinical signs of necrotic laryngitis?

Answer 26

Moist, painful cough, anorexia, fever, inspiratory dyspnea, open-mouthed breathing,
painful swallowing, bilateral
nasal discharge,
foul breath, “roaring” (turbulent airflow)

Question 27

How do you diagnose and treat necrotic laryngitis?

Answer 27

DX: straight forward and clinical, put your stethoscope right where trachea is and highest sound is here

TX: Antibiotics (any is sufficient) and NSAIDS (Flunixin is most appropriate according to AMDUCA)
Maybe a tracheostomy if severe!

Question 28

What are predisposing risk factors for the development of retropharyngeal abscesses in cattle and how do you treat them?

Answer 28

Trauma and subsequent infection of wounds will lead to these abscesses
~fluid likes to drift ventrally to this area~

Some ex of trauma: Balling guns, dose syringes, specula, stomach tubes, esophageal feeders, Rough stemmy hay, briars, or foreign objects.

Question 29

What are the clinical signs of retropharyngeal abscesses?

Answer 29

Most evident sign is swelling in the throat latch

Visible swelling beneath the jaw
Inspiratory dyspnea
Extended neck
Ptyalism
Pain on swallowing
Regurg of food through the nostrils
Cough
Bloat

Question 30

What other disease presents with pytalism, bloat, and difficulty swallowing?

Answer 30

rabies, these are classic signs
& yawning

Question 31

How do you treat Retropharyngeal abscesses?

Answer 31

Lance and drain BUT watch out for jugular v., carotid a., facial a.
Rumenostomy for temporary feeding
Antibiotics and NSAIDs

Question 32

What is tracheal edema syndrome (tracheal stenosis)?

Answer 32

progressive, dramatic constriction of the trachea in feedlot cattle

Question 33

Describe the proposed mechanisms behind tracheal edema syndrome.

Answer 33

Cause is unknown but the theories include:
viral pathogens, P. multocida, H. somni, trauma from feed bunks,
Excessive fat accumulation in the thoracic inlet
Somehow there is extensive inflammation that leads to edema and stenosis of the trachea.

Question 34

What are the clinical signs of tracheal edema syndrome?
Acute vs Chronic?

Answer 34

They cant breathe!!!

Acute signs: dyspnea, open mouthed, breathing, Death, “Honkers”

Chronic: Continuous, frequent, deep,
non-productive cough.

Question 35

Describe the pathological lesions present in TES and how that relates to the clinical picture.

Answer 35

Severe edema in the dorsal wall of the trachea from the midcervical area to the thoracic inlet.

Question 36

What are the differences in signalment for the acute and chronic form of TES?

Answer 36

Acute form occurs in heavy feedlot cattle in the late feed period, more common in hot dry weather, more prevalent in the southern plains states.

Chronic: more prevalent in light weight cattle (300-600 lbs.).

Question 37

How do you treat TES?

Answer 37

Corticosteroids
Antibiotics
NSAIDs
Heat Abatement to try to resolve stress

Question 38

Whats the typical prognosis of TES?

Answer 38

Burger if rest of the animal is good systemically!