Clinical Examination of Farm Animals - CYF MEDICAL DISTRIBUTION

CHAPTER 5
be advanced as far as the rumenal entrance. It then
passes through the muscular cardia allowing green
rumenal contents to be seen. Occasionally areas of
ulceration may be seen in the distal oesophagus.
Neoplasia of the oesophagus, oesophageal groove
and rumen wall have been reported in some cases
of bracken poisoning in cattle. Such lesions may be
seen endoscopically.
CLINICIAN’S CHECKLIST – ENDOSCOPIC
EXAMINATION
Nasal mucosa
Pharynx
Larynx – appearance and function
Trachea
Oesophagus
Cardia of rumen
Neck
Mobility
A further check of the neck’s mobility can be made if
observation of the animal suggested any problems
with movement. The neck should bend sufficiently
to the left and right to enable the animal to lick its
withers, flanks and hind limbs. The head should be
flexed and rotated to ensure that the atlanto-occipital
and the atlantoaxial joints have normal pain-free
movement (Fig. 5.20). Nodding movements are possible
using the atlanto-occipital joint, and rotation
along the long axis of the neck is possible using the
atlanto-axial joint. Both movements are aided by the
articulations of the 3rd–8th cervical vertebrae. Poor
flexibility may indicate pain in the bones, joints or
occipital
Atlanto-occipital joint
axial
Atlanto-axial joint
axial
occipital
Figure 5.20 Mobility of atlanto-occipital and atlantoaxial joints.
46