Clinical Examination of Farm Animals - CYF MEDICAL DISTRIBUTION

CHAPTER 8
CLINICIAN’S CHECKLIST – EXAMINATION
OF A CALF
Feeding history
General physical examination
Observations at a distance
Faecal staining
Behaviour
Systemic signs
Posture
Signs of abdominal pain
Caudal contour of animal
Lateral contour of animal
Palpation
Localisation of pain
Intra-abdominal masses
Fibre fill of rumen
Auscultation
Rumen movement
Peristalisis
Percussion
Localisation of pain
Auscultation and percussion or ballottement or succussion
Pings
Tinkling
Fluid sloshing sounds
Tympanic resonance
Rumen stomach tubing
Decompression
Rumen fluid sample
Presence of anus, assessment of faeces, collection and
examination of faecal samples
Laparotomy/rumenotomy
Investigation of umbilical enlargement
Further investigations
Further investigations
Clinical pathology
Haematology, biochemistry and acid–base measurements
may provide useful additional clinical
information. Metabolic acidosis may occur in carbohydrate
engorgement or endotoxaemias. Metabolic
alkalosis can occur in abomasal diplacements due to
sequestration of hydrogen ions and in urea poisoning.
Bicarbonate deficits can be estimated in the field
using the Harleco apparatus. Hand-held biochemical
and acid–base analyses are available but are expensive.
Electrolyte measurements may indicate
hypochloraemia and hypokalaemia, which may be
present in left displaced abomasum. Alow PCV may
indicate a haemorrhaging abomasal ulcer, and a
raised PCV may indicate dehydration. A leukocytosis
with a relative neutrophilia may indicate an inflammatory
process; alternatively a leucopaenia and
a neutropaenia may be found in severe cases due to
sequestration. Hypoproteinaemia may be a feature
of a protein losing enteropathy, such as Johne’s disease,
or a reduction in hepatic production. A high
concentration of fibrinogen is a useful indicator of
inflammation.
Rumen fluid collection
A sample of rumen fluid may be obtained using a
nasogastric tube or an oral stomach tube, or by performing
a rumenocentesis. Use of a nasogastric tube
avoids the dangers of placing a mouth gag, and the
rumenocentesis method avoids the possibility of
contaminating the rumen fluid sample with saliva
which can increase the pH of the sample. The sample
should be kept relatively warm by placing it close to
the body, and the analysis is best performed within
an hour of collection.
To obtain a rumen fluid sample using a nasogastric
tube some local anaesthetic gel is applied to the ventral
mucosa of one nostril. Two minutes are allowed
for the gel to anaesthetise the area. The length of the
tube required to reach the larynx and the rumen from
the nose is marked on the tube. The nasogastric tube
is advanced slowly and a finger is used to guide the
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