adult scour

History

·    How are they managed, e.g. housed? At pasture?

·    What is their worming protocol?

·    What are they fed?

·    How many cows affected?

·    Which animals affected?

·    Are they systemically well?

·    Other clinical signs?

·    What is the scour like?

·    Are they eating?

·    How long been going on for? – chronic = Cu deficiency, poisins/toxins

·    What season/time of year? – winter = coronavirus, seasonal outbreaks = feed related?

·    Any abortions? – salmonella,

Investigation

Full clinical exam:

·    TRP

Further investigations

·    Look for antibodies – not for covid cos same virus causes BRD/calf scour so already seropos

·    Faecal culture – salmonella

·    Faecal PCR – salmonella

·    Milk ELISA – salmonella

Treatment

·    Supportive therapy: fluids (to replace losses), NSAIDs (meloxicam – reduce inflammation)

·    TMPS for salmonella (effective against gram -ve, do C+S in case of resistance)

·    Johne’s – cull

·    BVD – cull PIs

Causes

Bacterial:

·    Salmonella

·    Johne’s

·    Clostridia

Viral:

·    Coronavirus (winter dysentery)

·    BVD

·    Rinderpest

Parasitic:

·    Ostertagia

·    Cooperia

Other:

·    Acidosis

·    Secondary to septicaemia

·    Nutritional

·    Toxicity (mycotoxins, copper)

Prevention

·    Reduce stocking density

·    Maintain closed herd, isolate new arrivals

·    Good hygiene and biosecurity

·    Correct storage of feed, prevent wildlife access

·    Worming protocol

SARA

·    Subacute ruminal acidosis – repeat bouts of low rumen pH, but self-resolves

·    Causes of low pH:

o  Insufficient fibre (dietary sorting, poor diet) ® decreased rumination

o  Excess starch (excess concentrates fed) ® rapid fermentation

o  Decreased intake (heat stress, poor cow comfort, poor transition cow management)

·    Clinical signs: D+, faecal staining, decreased ruminal contractions

·    Consequences: BCS loss, anorexia ® ketosis, decr. milk yield, CVCS, liver abscesses

·    Diagnosis: sample rumen fluid and test pH – stomach tube or rumenocentesis (more risk but less contamination)