HOLT — Downer Cows, Penis/Prepuce Problems

Downer cows group 1

Abnormal vital signs and/or altered mentation = metabolic in nature

Group 1 differentials

-milk fevers

-toxic mastitis, metritis, massive peritonitits

-hypomagnesemia

-hypokalemia

-acidosis

-certain neuro dz

FIRST step when presented with a group 1 patient

Check a BG

Group 2

Alert and willing to eat

Group 2 differentials

-calving paralysis

-injuries

-hypophosphatemia

-secondary myopathy/neuropathy

-MUST rule out MSK issues!

Most likely cause for a cow to dog sit

Fracture T2 to sacrum usually from shoot injuries

When presented with a patient like this, what do you tell the owner?

A lot of work, a lot of cost, and a 50/50 chance

What to tell the owner when they call you about a penile injury?

Tell them to isolate the bull from all other cattle ASAP! Monitor for ability to urinate. Initiate antibiotics if slaughter is not an option

Are penile injuries emergencies?

No

Most common penile injury

Preputial lacerations (higher incidence in heavy sage brush)

When a penis erect, you should be able to

See the fornix attachment

Innervation, blood supply, musculature

Should you use these electrojaculator for your exam?

No, causes more damage

Should you drain a hematoma?

No

Should you drain an abscess?

Only if you can drain it out through the prepuce itself

What is important about polled breeds?

Hypoplastic caudal rectal n = has a hard time pulling penis back in because of denervation of caudal muscle

When can the bull breed again?

6 months to 1 year

#1 bug in abscesses

Trueperella

Preputial injury prognosis

Poor, most likely to stricture and cause stenosis and phimosis

What is another weird polled breed thing?

Corkscrew deviation