Practice Questions

Question 1

For nervous Coccidiosis in Cattle:

1. State the age of cattle that are typically affected by the disease
2. What is the cause of the condition?
3. What is the pathogenesis?

Answer 1

1. Less than 1y
2. Eimeria
3. neurotoxin produced by coccidia parasite → neurological signs

Question 2

For DCAD diets:

1. How can you confirm that a DCAD diet is actually working?
2. Briefly explain the logic behind a DCAD diet
3. What are two anionic salts and what are two cationic salts?

Answer 2

1. Measure the urine pH should be acidic
2. More acidotic → increased pH
3. DCAD diet - increase anionic salts (Cl + S) and decrease cations (Na + K)

Question 3

How does a CSF tap appear in cases of meningitis?

Answer 3

Increased CSF protein and a neutrophilia

Question 4

How does a CSF tap appear in cases of Listeriosis?

Answer 4

Increased monocytes

Question 5

Compare how CSF tap varies between meningitis and polioencephalomalacia?

Answer 5

• The changes in meningitis CBC and protein are far greater than those seen in polioencephalomalacia

Question 6

For fog fever (Bovine pulmonary oedema and emphysema):

1. Describe the cough?
2. Are animals septic?
3. Briefly describe the pathophysiology

Answer 6

1. Intermittent loud cough
2. No signs of sepsis are seen
3. Pathophysiology: lush pastures high in tryptophan → metabolised to 3-methyl indole (toxic to the lungs)

Question 7

Briefly describe some history factors in a cow that may lead you to believe Farmers lung is a differential:

Answer 7

1. Animal normally has allergies - combined with a history of being indoors → exposure to the allergen
2. When animal goes outside the signs improve

Question 8

Describe the history associated with silo fillers disease:

Answer 8

• Typically die near a silo - result of toxic silo gasses

Question 9

For the condition below:

1. State the typical signalment of animals that are affected by this condition
2. The aetiological agent that is typically involved
3. Briefly state how it should be treated

Answer 9

Ringworm:

1. Crowed, calves in winter (when little UV light is present
2. Number one: T.veruccosum and T. metagrophytes is the second most common differential
3. Topical treatment: Captan, diluted bleach, lime sulphur or miconazole shampoos (systemic therapy is rarely needed)

Question 10

Some cattle that were recently moved to lush pasture present to you dead. On PM there is acute interstitial pneumoniae and air filled bullae. What TOXIN is most likely indicated?

Answer 10

• 3 - Methyl indole (Fog fever)

Question 11

What is the name of the toxin involved in sweet potato poisoning and what is the major differential?

Answer 11

• 4-Ipomeanol
• Fog fever is the major differential (caused by 3-Methylindole)

Question 12

Provide 4 possible signs that may be seen with pharyngeal trauma in cattle:

Answer 12

1. Inappetence
2. Mild bloat (vagal nerve involvement of the inflamed throat)
3. Extended head
4. Drooling
5. Swelling and pain in the throat region

Question 13

What is the treatment of choice for treating manage in a herd of cattle?

Answer 13

Ivermectin

Question 14

On a pregnancy check of a cow you feel ‘crepitus’ what is your diagnosis for this case?

Answer 14

• A macerated foetus

Question 15

If you feel a firm tarry mass on rectal palpation what is your diagnosis?

Answer 15

• Mummified foetus

Question 16

If you feel a pyometra post-serving on rectal what is your number one differential?

Answer 16

Tritrichomonas foetus

Question 17

What is the number one differential for a tumour in a cow’s eye?

Answer 17

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)

Question 18

What are the two main nerve block options for removing an ocular tumour from a cow?

Answer 18

• Five point ocular block using lignocaine
• Peterson’s ocular nerve block

Question 19

For Blackleg:

1. Name the aetiological agent involved
2. What group is most susceptible?
3. What method should be used for treatment?

Answer 19

1. Clostridium chavoei
2. Calves less than 1 year
3. On high risk farms start vaccinations from a younger age. Use a multiclostridial vaccine and give to claves 4-8 months of age

Question 20

The image below demonstrates photosensitisation:

1. State the two different types of photosensitisation that can occur
2. Describe how you would differentiate between them

Answer 20

1. Primary - caused by a plant/chemical, Secondary - hepatic damage/failure → chlorophyll breakdown products (phylloerythrin)
2. Check liver enzymes + bilirubin levels

Question 21

What is the recommended treatment for BRSV in cattle?

Answer 21

• Antimicrobial and NSAID’s
• Corticosteroids if pulmonary oedema is severe

Question 22

For wooden tongue in cattle:

1. State the cause
2. State how you would recommend treating it

Answer 22

1. Actinobacillus ligniersi
2. IV sodium iodide

Question 23

What is the egg count at which you should consider deworming calves to promote weight gain?

Answer 23

300-400 eggs/gram

Question 24

What is hydroamnios?

Answer 24

• Gradual accumulation of fluid - the calf is usually clinically unaffected

Question 25

What is hydroallantois and what is the prognosis?

Answer 25

* Disorder of the placenta → rapid accumulation of 100-200L of watery clear fluid during the last trimester * Prognosis for the life of the foetus and the fertility of the cow is poor

Question 26

How is Streptococcus agalactiae diagnosed?

Answer 26

* Perform a cAMP - Staph a. and strep a. together -→ haemolytic reaction leaving an area on the culture plate blank

Question 27

For tetanus in cattle: 1. State the main cause of it 2. Describe the pathophysiology

Answer 27

1. Recent metritis/uterine infection 2. Prevents release of inhibitory neurotransmitters e.g. GABA → spastic paralysis

Question 28

What are the three most common causes of colic in cattle?

Answer 28

* Intussusception * Caecal dilation with or without torsion * Abomasal volvulus

Question 29

For Neospora canine: 1. State when it occurs 2. Who is the definitive host? 3. How is a diagnosis made?

Answer 29

1. Second trimester 2. Dogs 3. Histologic lesions in the brain

Question 30

Briefly explain the causes of secondary photosensitisation:

Answer 30

Liver fails to excrete Phylloerythrin → Phylloerythrin accumulation within the skin

Question 31

When is chorioallantoic slip first palpable in bovine pregnancy?

Answer 31

30-35 days

Question 32

When performing a necropsy on the abomasum of cattle you find thousands on larvae. What is the main differential?

Answer 32

Type II Ostertagiasis

Question 33

What animals are affected by foot and mouth disease?

Answer 33

Only cloven hoofed animals - pigs, sheep and cattle (NOT HORSES)

Question 34

For enzootic pneumoniae: 1. State the main cause 2. Describe the distribution 3. What is the main differential?

Answer 34

1. Poor housing and environment 2. Cranioventral consolidation 3. Pasturella multicoda

Question 35

For shipping fever: 1. State the main cause 2. What is the usual history

Answer 35

1. Mannhiema haemolytica 2. Associated with stresses e.g. shipping

Question 36

What is the main cause of caseous lymphadenitis in sheep and goats?

Answer 36

C. pseudotuberculosis

Question 37

What are the clinical signs seen with Clostridium hemolyticum?

Answer 37

* Liver lesions and results in acute haemolysis and death

Question 38

**For acute toxicosis:** 1. Briefly describe the environmental conditions that lead to it 2. What are the main organ systems affected? 3. How is it treated? 4. How can it be avoided?

Answer 38

1. Snow knocks down oak branches → eaten by calves that cannot eat the grass 2. Renal + GI signs 3. IV fluids 4. Animals don't eat the oak if given hay immediately as the snow falls