Dr Bhikane Systemic Medicine

Hypothermia

A decrease in core body temperature caused by disturbances or failure in thermoregulatory mechanisms, where heat loss exceeds heat production.

Heat stroke

Acute hyperthermia resulting from continuous exposure to extremely high environmental temperatures, often compounded by high humidity or inadequate ventilation.

Fever (Pyrexia)

A systemic syndrome characterized by elevated core body temperature and toxemia resulting from exogenous or endogenous pyrogens raising the thermal set point in the anterior hypothalamus.

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) in pyrexia

The primary endogenous pyrogen produced by stimulated monocytes and macrophages that induces prostaglandin $PGE_2$ synthesis in the anterior hypothalamus to elevate the thermal set point.

Toxaemia

A clinical systemic state characterized by the presence of circulating bacterial or tissue-injury toxins within the bloodstream.

Endotoxins

Lipopolysaccharide components found in the outer cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria that are released into surroundings during rapid bacterial proliferation or destruction.

Isotonic dehydration

A condition involving balanced, proportional losses of both water and electrolytes from the body, commonly managed with normal saline or Ringer's solution.

Metabolic acidosis

An acid-base imbalance caused by excessive loss of bicarbonate ions (e.g., severe diarrhea) or accumulation of acid metabolites (e.g., carbohydrate engorgement, ketosis, renal failure).

Primary ruminal tympany (Frothy bloat)

Overdistension of the rumen caused by stable foam formation that traps fermentation gases, typically occurring after grazing lush leguminous pastures or consuming finely ground grains.

Acidic indigestion (Grain overload)

Acute ruminal dysfunction caused by excessive ingestion of rapidly fermentable carbohydrates, leading to proliferation of Streptococcus bovis and Lactobacillus, a drop in ruminal $\text{pH}$ below $5.0$, and severe systemic acidosis.

Traumatic Reticulo-Peritonitis (TRP)

An inflammatory condition in cattle and buffaloes caused by the perforation of the reticular wall by ingested sharp metallic objects, leading to localized or diffuse peritonitis.

Vagus Indigestion (Hoflund Syndrome)

A chronic motility disorder of the forestomach and abomasum caused by vagal nerve injury or adhesions, characterized by a 'papple'-shaped abdominal distension, ruminal hypermotility, and passage of scanty pasty feces.

Left Abomasal Displacement (LDA)

A condition primarily seen in high-producing dairy cows post-parturition where the hypomotile, gas-filled abomasum shifts under the rumen to the left abdominal wall, producing a characteristic tinkling sound on auscultation.

Prehepatic (Hemolytic) Jaundice

Yellowish tissue discoloration caused by excessive intravascular breakdown of red blood cells, resulting in elevated levels of unconjugated (indirect) bilirubin in the blood.

Ascites

An abnormal accumulation of transudative fluid within the peritoneal cavity, commonly associated with hepatic fibrosis, congestive heart failure, or severe hypoproteinemia.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

A chronic cardiac disorder where impaired pumping capability leads to venous congestion, manifested as brisket edema and jugular pulsation in right-sided failure, or pulmonary congestion in left-sided failure.

Pyelonephritis in bovines

A chronic suppurative inflammation of the renal parenchyma and pelvis, most commonly caused by Corynebacterium renale via ascending urinary tract infection, resulting in pyuria, hematuria, and loss of kidney lobulation.

Grand mal epilepsy

A generalized seizure disorder characterized sequentially by an aura, loss of consciousness, tonic-clonic muscular convulsions, hypersalivation, and a post-ictal recovery phase.

Sarcoptic mange

A contagious skin disease caused by Sarcoptes scabiei burrowing in the epidermis, leading to intense pruritus, excoriations, alopecia, and hyperkeratosis.

Dermatophytosis (Ringworm)

A superficial fungal infection of keratinized tissues (skin and hair) primarily caused by Trichophyton or Microsporum species, characterized by circular, asbestos-like crusty lesions with central healing.