Clinical Examination of Farm Animals - CYF MEDICAL DISTRIBUTION

Clinical Examination of the Head and Neck
Opening into
frontal sinus
when horn
is removed
Frontal sinus
Maxillary sinus
Figure 5.3 Anterior (front) view of the bovine head and
neck.
Infection of the sinuses in recently dehorned cattle
may be indicated by the presence of pus or an unpleasant
odour in the sinuses. In warm weather there
is a risk of blow-fly strike in the exposed sinuses.
The mandibles should be inspected and palpated
for signs of injury or infection. Some irregularity
of the ventral mandibular outline is normal, especially
in animals changing their teeth. Discharging
sinuses originating from the mandible are seen
in cases of Actinomycosis bovis (lumpy jaw) (Fig. 5.4).
The mandibles may be injured through collision
with farm machinery. A fracture may be present
in the mandibular symphysis or in the rami if the
animal is unable to prehend food, close its mouth
and eat. Very occasionally the teeth of neonatal calves
may be damaged or displaced during birth. The
cheek teeth can be palpated externally through
the cheeks. Missing teeth, sharp edges and painful
teeth can be detected. The salivary glands are rarely
involved in disease in cattle. Blockage of gland ducts
may result in the formation of a mucocoele in the
animal’s mouth. The parotid salivary gland can be
palpated as a firm structure just behind and medial
to the caudal border of the vertical ramus of the
mandible.
CLINICIAN’S CHECKLIST – INSPECTION OF
THE HEAD AND NECK
Outline and profile of the head and neck
Cranial or other enlargement
Facial symmetry
Muscular tone of the face
Percussion of the sinuses
Mandible – symphysis and profile
Palpation of the cheek teeth
Palpation of the salivary glands
Ears
The ears are normally held horizontally to the head
and drooping is abnormal. Animals in poor health
may show bilateral drooping of the ears (Fig. 5.5).
Unilateral ear drooping may indicate infection of the
ear itself, for example caused by an infected ear tag,
or compromise of the 7th cranial (facial) nerve supply,
for example in listeriosis (Fig. 5.6). Ears may also
droop if weighed down by heavy ear tags. Ear tremor
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