Clinical CasesFocus on Respiratory and Cardiology
Dusty W. Nagy, DVM, MS, PhD DACVIM
University of Missouri
Food Animal Medicine, Surgery, and
Production Medicine
Case Workup
Signalment
History
Physical Examination
Problem List
Differential Diagnoses– Prioritized list– Avoid zebras
particularly the pink and chartreuse ones
Case Workup
Initial diagnostic and treatment plan– Prioritize tests
Utility – rule in or rule out differentials
Need to know info for treatment
– Analyze test results
Changes to the plan
Outcome
Reflection
Case 1
Chief complaint: weak, appears drunkSignalment: 9-year-old black crossbred cowHistory: Cow was seen off by herself this morning. They assumed that she was trying to calve. When no calf was noted by noon they went to check on her. She rushed the owner and rammed several farm vehicles while taking her to the barn.Environment: August in central Missouri. Cow is one of 32 in a cow calf herd. They are housed on 80 acres of mostly fescue grass subdivided into 3 pastures.
University of Missouri #
Physical Examination
AppearanceBody condition score 5/9Normal abdominal contour
BehaviorBelligerentAggressive
Gait and postureWeakStands base wide on all 4Sways while walking
Urine analysisyellow/orange colorNo analysis done
TPRTemperature – 104.2 ºFPulse – 92 bpmRespiratory rate – 52 bpm
Physical Examination – left side
RumenDecreased content
Poor stratification
PingsNo pings
Lymph Nodesprefemoral – normal
prescapular - normal
Lung auscultationnormal breath sounds
Heart auscultationRhythm – regular, fast
Intensity – normal
Sounds – no murmurs or arrhythmias
Jugular veinNormal
Cervical skin tent< 2 seconds
Physical Examination – right side
PingsNo pings
SeccussionNo fluid sloshing
Ballotmentnormal
Lymph nodesPrefemoral – normalPrescapular - normal
Lung auscultationNormal breath sounds
Heart auscultationRhythm – regular, fastIntensity – normalSounds – no murmurs or
arrhythmias
Jugular veinNormal
Cervical skin tent< 2 seconds
Physical Examination
Abdominal painNone present
Skinnormal
Extremitiesnormal
Musculoskeletalnormal
HeadOcular discharge - none
Eye examination - normal
Nasal discharge - none
Mucous membrane color - yellow
Teeth - normal
Physical Examination
Mammary glandInflammation
none present
Strip cup
no abnormalities
California mastitis test
Rectal palpationThird trimester fetus
FecesDry/firm
Large amount in rectum
Problem list
Problem list
Tachycardia
Tachypnea
Fever
Jaundice
Abnormal behavior, posture and gait
Abnormal fecal consistency
Prioritized list of differentials
Differential diagnosisTachycardia/Tachypnea– Cardiac disease– Respiratory disease– Disease that affects oxygen carrying capacity – Pain– Stress
Jaundice– Liver failure– Hemolysis
IntravascularExtravascular
Differential diagnosis
Fever– Infection– Inflammation
Abnormal posture and gait– Neurologic disease– Musculoskeletal disease– Disease that affects oxygen carrying capacity
Abnormal fecal consistency– Gastrointestinal disease– Dehydration
Initial diagnostic and treatment plan
Diagnostic plan Treatment plan
CBC– PCV/TP
Arterial blood gas
Serum biochemistry
Urinalysis
Complement fixation/PCR
Antibiotics– Oxytetracycline 9mg/lb
SQ EOD
Low stress environment
InterpretationCBCAnemia – lossAnisocytosisPolychromasia Erythrocyte basophilic stipplingPeripherally located erythrocyte parasites
Update – after 2 days the cow is picking at hay and drinking some water. She is sticking close to the barn, but is moving around the lot.
Do you want to do any additional diagnostics orchange treatments?
The rest of the bunch…..
Do you want to do anything for the rest of the herd?
Does geography matter?
Does herd type matter?
Can you clear the carrier state?
What if’s………
What if the cow was down with a PCV of 8?– Would you transfuse her?– Would you treat her?– Would you euthanize her?
Any considerations before?
CASE 2
Problem: drooling, respiratory noiseSignalment: 6-month-old crossbred steerHistory: 10 calves (including patient) were weaned, vaccinated, castrated, and dehorned if necessary approximately 2 weeks prior. The calf did not eat as well as expected yesterday. Today it is anorexic and honks on inspiration.Environment: June in central Missouri. Herd composed of 50 cow/calf pairs on fescue pasture. Calves get some supplemental grain.
University of Missouri #
Physical Examination
AppearanceBody condition score
4/9Normal abdominal
contour
BehaviorMildly distressed
Gait and postureHead and neck
extended
Urine analysis– None caught
TPRTemperature – 104.8 ºFPulse – 80 bpmRespiratory rate – 56
bpm
Physical Examination – left side
RumenNormal stratification
PingsNo pings
Lymph Nodesprefemoral – normal
prescapular – normal
Lung auscultationDifficult to auscult
Honking on inspiration
Open mouth breathing
Heart auscultationRhythm - regular
Intensity - normal
Sounds – no murmurs or arrhythmias
Jugular veinNormal
Cervical skin tent< 2 seconds
Physical Examination – right side
PingsNo pings
SeccussionNo fluid sloshing
Ballotmentnormal
Lymph nodesPrefemoral – normalPrescapular - normal
Lung auscultationDifficult to auscult
Honking on inspiration
Open mouth breathing
Heart auscultationRhythm – regularIntensity – normalSounds – no murmurs or
arrhythmias
Jugular veinNormal
Cervical skin tent< 2 seconds
Physical Examination
Abdominal painNone present
Skinnormal
Extremitiesnormal
Musculoskeletalnormal
HeadOcular discharge - none
Eye examination – mild scleral injection
Nasal discharge – whitish/yellow, fetid
Mucous membrane color - pale
Mouth
Teeth – normal
Hypersalivation
Neck – large, painful larynx
Physical Examination
Mammary glandInflammation
NA
Strip cup
NA
California mastitis test
NA
Rectal palpationNA
Fecesnormal
Problem list
Problem list
Fever
Tachypnea
Inspiratory noise
Head and neck extended
Open mouth breathing
Fetid breath
Nasal and oral discharge
Scleral injectionPrioritized list of differentials
Differential diagnosis
Tachypnea, inspiratory noise, head and neck extended, open mouth breathing, fetid breath, nasal discharge, salivation, swollen larynx with pain– Upper airway disease
Necrotic laryngitis – Fusobacterium necrophorum
Laryngeal trauma – abscess or edema
Viral laryngitis – IBR
Actinobacillosis
Fever, scleral injection– Inflammation, infection
Initial diagnostic and treatment plan
Diagnostic plan Treatment plan
No diagnostics– Save money for treatment
Endoscopy
Radiographs
CBC
Antibiotics– Florfenicol
9 mg/lb IM EOD
Anti inflammatory– Flunixin meglumine
1.1mg/kg IV SID – BID
Update – After 48 hours the steer is no longer honking and less dyspneic. The respiratory rate is still elevated and the breath is still somewhat foul smelling.
Do you want to do any additional diagnostics orchange treatments?
Drug Options
Florfenicol
Ceftiofur
Tulathromycin
Tilmicosin
Danofloxacin
Tetracycline
Penicillin
Sulfonimides
Case 3
Problem: respiratory distressSignalment: Weaned crossbred beef steerHistory: Calf was purchased at a sale barn in northern Missouri with 49 other calves. It was transported to a small feedlot in west central MO where it was vaccinated on arrival. Previous health and vaccine information unknown. Calf pulled for treatment this morning. Environment: 1000 animal feedyard. No testing done. Calves are routinely purchased and combined into muti-source pens.
University of Missouri #
Dyspnea
Physical Examination
AppearanceBody condition score
5/9Gant
BehaviorDepressed
Gait and postureHead and neck
extended
Urine analysisNone caught
TPRTemperature – 105.4 ºFPulse – 76 bpmRespiratory rate – 54
bpm
Physical Examination – left side
RumenNormal stratification
PingsNo pings
Lymph Nodesprefemoral – normal
prescapular - normal
Lung auscultationLoud and harsh
Crackles and wheezes
Rapid, shallow breaths
Heart auscultationRhythm - regular
Intensity - normal
Sounds – no murmurs or arrhythmias
Jugular veinNormal
Cervical skin tent4 seconds
Physical Examination – right side
PingsNo pings
SeccussionNo fluid sloshing
Ballotmentnormal
Lymph nodesPrefemoral – normalPrescapular - normal
Lung auscultationLoud and harshCrackles and wheezesRapid, shallow breaths
Heart auscultationRhythm – regularIntensity – normalSounds – no murmurs or
arrhythmias
Jugular veinNormal
Cervical skin tent4 seconds
Physical Examination
Abdominal painNone present
Skinnormal
Extremitiesnormal
Musculoskeletalnormal
HeadOcular discharge -
mucopurulent
Eye examination - normal
Nasal discharge - mucopurulent
Mucous membrane color - pale
Teeth - normal
Physical Examination
Mammary glandInflammation
NA
Strip cup
NA
California mastitis test
NA
Rectal palpation
NA
Fecesnormal
Problem list
Problem list
Fever
Tachypnea
Ocular and nasal discharge
Head and neck extended
Rapid shallow breathing
Abnormal lung sounds
Prioritized list of differentials
Differential diagnosisTachypnea; ocular and nasal discharge; head and neck extension; rapid, shallow breathing; abnormal lung sounds– Pneumonia
Viral– BRSV, IBR, PI3
Bacterial– Manheimia haemolytica, Histophilus somnii, Pasturella
multocida
Fever– Inflammation, infection
Initial diagnostic and treatment plan
Diagnostic plan Treatment plan
None save money for treatment
Arterial blood gas
CBC
Radiographs
Antibiotics and
Anti inflammatory– Resflor gold
Florfenicol– 40 mg/kg
Flunixin meglumine– 2.2 mg/kg IV
Dosed at 6ml/100 lbs SQ
Interpretationshould you so choose to run tests
CBCNeutrophilia – inflammatory diseaseNeutropenia – inflammatory disease, endotoxemiaLeft shiftToxic change in neutrophilsHyperfibrinogenemia – inflammatory disease
Update – six hours after the initial treatment the calf is noticeably improved. The calf’s temperature is 102.0 F, respiratory rate and effort are within normal limits. The calf is starting to eat and drink. Auscultation still reveals abnormal lung sounds.
Do you want to do any additional diagnostics orchange treatments?
Case 4
Problem: SickSignalment: 7-year-old Holstein bullHistory: ADR for approximately 2 weeks. Treated with antibiotics (several), flunixin meglumine, and several additional substances with no response.Environment: Bull resides on Amish farm. Used to breed cows for the owner and several neighbors.
University of Missouri #
Physical Examination
AppearanceBody condition score
3/5
BehaviorQAR
Gait and postureSlight arch to back
Urine analysisNone caught
TPRTemperature – 102.5 ºFPulse – 92 bpmRespiratory rate – 32
bpm
Physical Examination – left side
RumenDecreased fill
PingsNo pings
Lymph Nodesprefemoral – normal
prescapular – sl. enlarged
Lung auscultationnormal breath sounds
Heart auscultationRhythm - UTD
Intensity - UTD
Sounds – abnormal
Jugular veinDistended with pulses
Cervical skin tent5 seconds
Physical Examination – right side
PingsNo pings
SeccussionNo fluid sloshing
Ballotmentnormal
Lymph nodesPrefemoral – normalPrescapular – sl. enlargement
Lung auscultationNormal breath
sounds
Heart auscultationRhythm – UTDIntensity – UTDSounds – abnormal
Jugular veinDistended with
pulses
Cervical skin tent5 seconds
Physical Examination
Abdominal painElbows abducted
Skinnormal
Extremitiesnormal
Musculoskeletalnormal
HeadOcular discharge - none
Eye examination - normal
Nasal discharge - none
Mucous membrane color - pink
Teeth - normal
Venous Distention
Jugular Pulses
Cardiac Auscultation new
Venous Pulsation
Physical Examination
Mammary glandInflammation
NA
Strip cup
NA
California mastitis test
NA
Rectal palpation
weak aortic pulse
Feces
normal
Problem list
Problem list
Increased pulse rate
Abnormal cardiac auscultation
Distended jugular veins with pulses
Abducted elbows
Arched back
Prioritized list of differentials
Differential diagnosis
Increased pulse rate, abnormal cardiac auscultation, distended jugular veins, jugular pulses– Heart failure
PericarditisValvular endocarditisLymphosarcoma
Abducted elbows, arched back– Pain
Cranial abdominal/caudal thoracic
Initial diagnostic and treatment plan
Diagnostic plan Treatment plan
Serious talk with owner
Echocardiogram ????
CBC
BLV serology/PCR– Cancer hunt
Euthanasia
Septic Pericarditis
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