Clinical Examination of Farm Animals - CYF MEDICAL DISTRIBUTION

CHAPTER 7
Manifestations of respiratory disease
The clinical signs seen in respiratory disease are not
Humerus
Leg
muscles
Diaphragm
Spleen
Rumen
Reticulum
1
2
Lung
Liver
3
Omasum
Figure 7.4 Horizontal section of the thorax at the level of the proximal
humerus.
Ribs
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all unique to respiratory disease and may be caused by
diseases in other body systems and regions.
Severely affected animals adopt a characteristic
posture, standing motionless with elbows abducted,
neck extended, head lowered and extended with the
mouth open and the tongue protruding. This posture
maximises the airway diameter and minimises the
resistance to air flow. Other clinical signs include
depression, frothing at the mouth, increased respiratory
rate, mouth breathing, dilation of the nostrils,
puffing of the cheeks, purulent nasal discharge,
epiphora, roughened staring coat, ears drooping,
abdominal breathing, laboured breathing, cyanosis,
coughing, recumbency, increased heart rate, dehydration,
anorexia, loss of weight, grunting and
pyrexia. Some of the clinical signs observed in pulmonary
disease are illustrated in Fig. 7.6.
History
The prevalence of pneumonia in housed calves and
growing cattle is highest in November–December
and February–March in the UK. Farm records may
indicate recent outbreaks of pneumonia, the groups
affected, the calf mortality and current treatment
regimes.
In the current outbreak the group(s) affected, the
signs observed, date of onset, duration, number
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7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Figure 7.5 Position and extent of the
prescapular and thoracic lung fields on the
right side.
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