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Questions and Answers
What is the primary cause of selenium deficiency in cattle?
What is the primary cause of selenium deficiency in cattle?
What condition is specifically associated with a deficiency of copper in ewes?
What condition is specifically associated with a deficiency of copper in ewes?
Which diagnostic method is used to confirm selenium deficiency?
Which diagnostic method is used to confirm selenium deficiency?
Which treatment is recommended for secondary photosensitisation due to liver dysfunction?
Which treatment is recommended for secondary photosensitisation due to liver dysfunction?
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What is the best organ to sample for diagnostic purposes in cases of foetal abortion associated with BVDV?
What is the best organ to sample for diagnostic purposes in cases of foetal abortion associated with BVDV?
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Which clinical sign is primarily associated with adult fluke infection in ewes?
Which clinical sign is primarily associated with adult fluke infection in ewes?
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What is the primary treatment for immature fluke in lambs?
What is the primary treatment for immature fluke in lambs?
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What factor should NOT be considered when making fluke treatment decisions?
What factor should NOT be considered when making fluke treatment decisions?
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Which flukicide has shown resistance in the UK and should be protected?
Which flukicide has shown resistance in the UK and should be protected?
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The onset of liver fluke disease typically occurs during which period?
The onset of liver fluke disease typically occurs during which period?
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What type of fluke is usually diagnosed via faecal egg count?
What type of fluke is usually diagnosed via faecal egg count?
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Which flukicide is effective for adult fluke but is not suitable for immature fluke?
Which flukicide is effective for adult fluke but is not suitable for immature fluke?
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What is a key factor to avoid when using flukicides to manage fluke resistance?
What is a key factor to avoid when using flukicides to manage fluke resistance?
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What is the primary method of diagnosing liver fluke infection?
What is the primary method of diagnosing liver fluke infection?
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Which of the following is NOT a treatment for adult liver flukes?
Which of the following is NOT a treatment for adult liver flukes?
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What characterizes the lifecycle of Fasciola hepatica?
What characterizes the lifecycle of Fasciola hepatica?
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Which clinical sign is commonly associated with liver fluke infection?
Which clinical sign is commonly associated with liver fluke infection?
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Which practice is recommended for the prevention of liver fluke infections?
Which practice is recommended for the prevention of liver fluke infections?
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What is the primary clinical sign associated with Black Disease?
What is the primary clinical sign associated with Black Disease?
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Which pathogen is commonly associated with liver infections in cattle?
Which pathogen is commonly associated with liver infections in cattle?
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What is a preventative measure for fatty liver disease?
What is a preventative measure for fatty liver disease?
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Which of the following is NOT a clinical sign of copper toxicity?
Which of the following is NOT a clinical sign of copper toxicity?
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What is the recommended treatment for fatty liver disease?
What is the recommended treatment for fatty liver disease?
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How can copper toxicity be diagnosed post-mortem?
How can copper toxicity be diagnosed post-mortem?
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What is a common cause of hepatic abscesses in cattle?
What is a common cause of hepatic abscesses in cattle?
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What is a key factor contributing to fatty liver in cows?
What is a key factor contributing to fatty liver in cows?
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Which of the following is used to manage copper levels in the diet of cattle?
Which of the following is used to manage copper levels in the diet of cattle?
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What factor can lead to systemic infections affecting the liver?
What factor can lead to systemic infections affecting the liver?
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What is the primary function of the liver in ruminants related to nitrogen metabolism?
What is the primary function of the liver in ruminants related to nitrogen metabolism?
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Which diagnostic method is commonly used for detecting abnormalities in liver and spleen disorders in ruminants?
Which diagnostic method is commonly used for detecting abnormalities in liver and spleen disorders in ruminants?
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What is a significant limitation of palpation and percussion when diagnosing liver and spleen conditions?
What is a significant limitation of palpation and percussion when diagnosing liver and spleen conditions?
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Which of the following conditions is not commonly associated with the spleen in ruminants?
Which of the following conditions is not commonly associated with the spleen in ruminants?
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Which liver enzyme is considered acute and indicative of liver stress or damage?
Which liver enzyme is considered acute and indicative of liver stress or damage?
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What does albumin synthesis primarily signify in ruminant liver function?
What does albumin synthesis primarily signify in ruminant liver function?
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In cases of fatty liver in ruminants, what is a characteristic finding during ultrasound examination?
In cases of fatty liver in ruminants, what is a characteristic finding during ultrasound examination?
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What element's deficiency can lead to secondary photosensitization in ruminants?
What element's deficiency can lead to secondary photosensitization in ruminants?
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Study Notes
Liver and Spleen Disorders in Ruminants
- Ruminant liver and spleen disorders are a significant concern in large animal medicine.
- Key objectives for the lecture include constructing differential diagnoses based on clinical presentations, determining appropriate medical and surgical interventions, evaluating prognosis for individual animals and herds, and identifying appropriate control measures.
- Ruminant metabolism greatly relies on gluconeogenesis, protein synthesis, trace element storage, and ammonia conversion to urea, all functions critical to liver health.
- The spleen plays a vital role in producing red and white blood cells, but this isn't significant in all species.
- Chronic immunosuppressive diseases are rare in cattle, and there are no specific conditions frequently affecting the spleen in farm animal settings.
Diagnostics
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Liver function tests, including GGT, AST, and LDH, are used to assess liver health.
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Analyzing albumin, globulins (mainly immunoglobulins), BUN (blood urea nitrogen), and bilirubin levels provide further diagnostic insights into liver function.
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Serology tests assist in identifying infectious diseases.
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Faecal analysis aids in detecting fluke presence.
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Post-mortem examination is crucial for detecting anatomical changes indicative of disease.
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Ultrasound is occasionally used, particularly helpful for identifying fatty liver or abscesses, but lacks specificity and requires expertise. Liver biopsies can be used to detect trace elements or fatty liver changes.
Diseases of Ruminants
- Liver: Fluke disease, black disease (Clostridium novyi infection), bacterial infections (abscesses and hepatitis), fatty liver, trace element imbalances (copper and selenium), secondary photosensitisation, and other liver infections.
- Spleen: Bovine Leukemia Virus (BLV) and Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) are important factors.
Liver Fluke (Fasciola hepatica)
- Adult flukes dwell in the bile ducts, releasing eggs into the gallbladder.
- Flukes' life cycle involves ingestion of metacercariae in pasture, and cercariae in the snail.
- Clinical signs of liver fluke include weight loss, scour, and sudden death.
- Diagnosis is often done via faecal egg counts, while post-mortem examination also confirms the presence of fluke in tissue samples.
- Treatment for adult fluke involves cloantel, nitroxynil, or triclabendazole, and preventing further infestation involves pasture rotation.
- Fluke resistance is a concern, and some medicines target specific stages of the fluke lifecycle; for example, Triclabendazole is effective against immature flukes.
Black Disease
- Clostridium novyi is responsible; it's an anaerobic bacteria needing low-oxygen conditions to multiply.
- Black disease is associated with acute liver damage, commonly after liver fluke infections.
- Clinical signs include sudden death, while the diagnosis involves a post-mortem examination with a clear necrotic appearance in the liver.
- Currently, there's no cure; prevention involves controlling liver fluke.
Liver Infections
- Liver infections can stem from opportunistic pathogens like Fusobacterium necrophorum, Trueperella pyogenes, and E. coli, leading to hepatitis and abscesses.
- Infections can occur systemically or locally, as part of septicemia or localized infection.
- The route of infection is commonly related to SARA or other primary infections.
- Diagnostics typically include biochemistry, ultrasound, and post-mortem examination, aiding in diagnosing abnormalities and liver disease.
- Treatment involves systemic broad-spectrum antibiotics and NSAIDs, while prevention involves minimizing factors causing SARA and other infections.
Fatty Liver
- Fatty liver occurs due to excessive fat mobilization, frequent in cows during early lactation. Symptoms include rapid fat gain ,weight loss due to negative energy balance, and clinical signs of depression, dullness, milk drop, ketosis signs, and inappetence.
- Diagnosis often relies on liver biopsy, liver TAG concentrations, and measurement of NEFAs in plasma and BCS assessment.
- Treatment may involve oral propylene glycol daily for a few days along with other treatments like corticosteroids, vitamin B12 and glucose , as well and nutrition advice for minimizing SARA.
- Prevention focuses on optimizing body condition score (BCS) during late lactation and early dry periods, minimizing BCS changes in the late dry period, and maximizing dry period intake and metabolic profile.
Liver Storage Diseases
- Conditions related to copper, selenium imbalances, and photosensitivity can damage the liver.
Copper Toxicity (Clinical and Subclinical)
- Cattle tolerate high copper levels, but sheep have a lower tolerance.
- Copper toxicity in sheep can result in low molybdenum diets, CuSO4 foot baths and excessive consumption of copper-rich feeds.
- Clinical signs include sudden death, gunmetal-colored kidneys on post-mortem, and low serum copper values.
- Subclinical signs of copper toxicity involve impaired fertility and milk drop.
- Treatment involves removing the copper source and increasing molybdenum feeding.
Copper Deficiency
- Copper deficiency is less frequent than copper toxicity.
- Deficiency can be associated with swayback in lambs.
- Diagnosis is based on low serum copper levels.
- Treatment involves supplementing copper in the diet or water supply.
Selenium
- Selenium is an important trace element stored in the liver.
- Selenium toxicity can be caused by accidental over-supplementation, though deficiency is more frequent.
- Deficiency symptoms include white muscle disease.
- Diagnosis is based on serum or liver selenium tests and post-mortem examination.
- Treatment involves injectable selenium to combat the deficiency.
Secondary Photosensitisation
- Chlorophyll is metabolized to phylloerythrin.
- Major liver dysfunction causes phylloerythrin accumulation.
- Photosensitisation is linked to the ingestion of plants rich in photodynamic components, such as St. John's Wort.
- Diagnosis involves biochemical evidence of liver damage, and distinguishing it from other photosensitizing factors.
- Treatment includes removing livestock from sunlight exposure, administering corticosteroids, and addressing underlying liver conditions. Depending on the severity, euthanasia may be indicated.
Splenic Disorders
- Bovine Leukosis Virus (BLV) causes bovine leukemia and lymphatic cancers in ruminants.
- Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) causes immunosuppression in ruminants.
- The fetal spleen is ideal for diagnosing BVDV, enabling accurate diagnosis of pregnancy complications.
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Description
This quiz covers important aspects of liver and spleen disorders in ruminants, focusing on diagnosis, treatment options, and the roles of these organs in animal health. Participants will explore differential diagnoses, medical and surgical interventions, and prognosis evaluation. Understanding ruminant metabolism will also be emphasized as it relates to liver function.
