Clinical Examination of Farm Animals - CYF MEDICAL DISTRIBUTION
Clinical Examination of Farm Animals - CYF MEDICAL DISTRIBUTION
Clinical Examination of Farm Animals - CYF MEDICAL DISTRIBUTION
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CHAPTER 3<br />
<strong>Clinical</strong> <strong>Examination</strong> <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Lymphatic System<br />
Lymphatic system<br />
The lymphatic system consists <strong>of</strong> the carcase lymph<br />
nodes, the network <strong>of</strong> lymph vessels which connect<br />
them and the lymphatic parts <strong>of</strong> the spleen. Many <strong>of</strong><br />
the nodes are readily palpable in the healthy animal.<br />
Others can be palpated only when enlarged. Details<br />
<strong>of</strong> the location <strong>of</strong> the individual nodes and their ease<br />
<strong>of</strong> palpation are given below. The lymph vessels are<br />
normally palpable only if they are enlarged. Some<br />
vessels may be seen and palpated as they run subcutaneously<br />
towards the regional lymph nodes.<br />
<strong>Clinical</strong> examination <strong>of</strong> the<br />
lymphatic system<br />
Grossly enlarged lymph nodes may have been seen<br />
during observation <strong>of</strong> the patient before it is handled.<br />
Further observation and palpation is possible when<br />
the animal is restrained. The lymph nodes can be examined<br />
as a separate system or checked during the<br />
examination <strong>of</strong> the skin when the clinician’s hands<br />
run over the whole body surface. Each paired node<br />
should be compared for size and consistency with<br />
the contralateral node.<br />
Lymph node enlargement<br />
This may occur for two main reasons.<br />
(1) Enlargement <strong>of</strong> one or more lymph nodes may occur<br />
in cases <strong>of</strong> infection <strong>of</strong> the lymphatic system. This<br />
can occur in a number <strong>of</strong> diseases including<br />
bovine tuberculosis, actinobacillosis and a number<br />
<strong>of</strong> other bacterial infections. It can also occur<br />
in both forms <strong>of</strong> bovine leucosis – enzootic bovine<br />
leucosis (EBL) and sporadic bovine leucosis. EBL is<br />
an uncommon but notifiable disease in the UK.<br />
Infection is widespread in some other countries.<br />
Any animal over 2 years <strong>of</strong> age with enlargement<br />
<strong>of</strong> the carcase lymph nodes and in which bovine<br />
leucosis is suspected is blood tested for serological<br />
evidence <strong>of</strong> EBL. Positive cases <strong>of</strong> EBL are<br />
slaughtered.<br />
Cases <strong>of</strong> sporadic bovine leucosis may be examined<br />
further to determine which carcase and palpable<br />
visceral lymph nodes are involved. Gross<br />
lymph node enlargement may be seen, for example,<br />
in the prescapular lymph nodes. In most<br />
cases some enlargement is present in other<br />
lymph nodes. Ulceration <strong>of</strong> affected lymph<br />
nodes may occur. Areas <strong>of</strong> tumour tissue may be<br />
seen in the skin and in the thymus. Internal lymphoid<br />
tumours may be found in many locations<br />
including the heart base, the mediastinum and<br />
wherever lymph nodes are present. Affected<br />
lymph nodes are usually non-painful to the<br />
touch but may interfere with many body functions.<br />
Heart base and thymic tumours may<br />
obstruct venous return. Mediastinal tumours<br />
may compress the oesophagus causing bloat or<br />
dysphagia.<br />
(2) Lymph node enlargement in response to local infection<br />
or inflammation in the region <strong>of</strong> the body drained<br />
by the lymph node involved. In these circumstances<br />
the lymph node is acting as a sentinel <strong>of</strong><br />
local disease. The enlarged node may be warm<br />
and inflamed, and sensitive to the touch. On finding<br />
an enlarged lymph node the clinician should<br />
examine the area draining into the affected node<br />
for evidence <strong>of</strong> any pathological problem. As<br />
with tumour infiltration, the enlarged lymph<br />
nodes may affect the function <strong>of</strong> adjacent organs.<br />
Location <strong>of</strong> the carcase lymph nodes<br />
Many <strong>of</strong> the nodes are paired and should be compared<br />
for size and consistency. Lymph nodes are<br />
normally firmer than adjacent muscle and other s<strong>of</strong>t<br />
tissues (Fig. 3.1).<br />
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