Difference between revisions of "Fatty Liver Syndrome"

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Also known as: '''''Fat Cow Syndrome'''''
 
 
 
== Introduction ==
 
  
This disease is also known as fat cow syndrome (extreme form of fatty liver), which can occur in well-fed dairy cows a few days postpartum. It is caused by an excessive accumulation of liver fat without being able to export it from the [[Liver - Anatomy & Physiology|liver]] during late dry period and early lactation. The fat is mobilised from the body around 2-3 weeks prior to parturition due to hormone release and collects in the liver if there are excess amounts. The amount of fat deposited is influenced by Body Condition Score (how fat the cow is), milk yield (energy requirement) and appetite (low in fat cows). Various conditions such as [[Abomasal Displacement|abomasal displacement]], mastitis, metritis and retained placenta can trigger the condition.
+
Intended to refer to cattle.
 +
See [[Hyperlipaemia - Horse]], [[Hyperlipaemia - Donkey]], [[White Liver Disease - Sheep]], [[Pregnancy Toxaemia]] and [[Hepatic Lipidosis]](cat and dog) for similar syndromes in other species.
  
The condition can be fatal due to liver failure (up to 25% has been reported).
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All of this text is moved from [[Hepatic Lipidosis]]:
 +
====Bovine====
 +
*fat cow syndrome (extreme form of fatty liver)
 +
*occurs in well-fed dairy cows a few days postpartum
 +
*an excessive accumulation of liver fat without being able to export it from the [[Liver - Anatomy & Physiology|liver]] (during late dry period and early lactation)
 +
*amount of fat deposited influenced by:
 +
**Body Condition Score (how fat the cow is)
 +
**Milk Yield (energy requirement)
 +
**Appetite (low in fat cows)
 +
*triggered by various conditions:
 +
**abomasal displacement
 +
**mastitis
 +
**metritis
 +
**retained [[Placenta - Anatomy & Physiology|placenta]]
 +
*can be fatal due to [[Liver - Anatomy & Physiology|liver]] failure (up to 25% has been reported)
  
== Clinical Signs ==
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=====Clinical=====
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*cow is sick
 +
*poor appetite
 +
*excessive weight loss
 +
*downer
 +
*high incidence of post parturient disease
  
The cow will appear generally sick and be depressed and separate from the herd. It will have a poor appetite and there may be indication of excessive weight loss in a short amount of time. The cow may be down if the disease is severe. If it is a milder form, it may display as a herd or group problem and there may be signs of infertility in the herd, such as an increased voluntary waiting period.
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=====Gross=====
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*fat infiltration of [[Liver - Anatomy & Physiology|liver]]
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*enlarged
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*rounded edges
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*pale yellow colour
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*friable
  
== Diagnosis ==
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NB: will also get fat infiltration of [[Liver - Anatomy & Physiology|liver]] in cows which have not been eating for several days so interpret carefully
  
Clinical signs and history, plus post-parturient period and high BCS pre calving are indicative of the disease.
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=====Prevention=====
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*dry off cows at correct BCS (up to 3.5)
 +
*do not adjust BCS during dry period
 +
*do not starve fat dry cows
 +
*maintain appetite over late dry and calving period to prevent excessive weight loss and fat mobilisation
 +
*use transistion diet
  
Blood samples should be taken. If the disease is present, it is likely that AST, NEFA's and Beta Hydroxy Butyrate will be increased.
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[[Category:To_Do_-_Clinical]][[Category:Cattle]]
 
 
If sudden death occurs due to Fat Cow Syndrome, post mortem exam will reveal fat infiltration of liver. This will appear as an enlarged, rounded liver, which is a pale yellow in colour and friable in nature. NB: will also get fat infiltration of liver in cows which have not been eating for several days so interpret carefully.
 
 
 
== Treatment and Control ==
 
 
 
There is usually no treatment for the severe form of Fatty Liver Syndrome.
 
 
 
Prevention can be achieved by keeping the cow at a correct Body Condition Score during its life. Cows must be dried off at correct BCS (up to 3.5) and BCS must not be altered during the dry period. Fat cows must not be starved and their appetite maintained over late dry and calving period to prevent excessive weight loss and fat mobilisation. A transition diet should be suggested to the farmer as a way of controlling this disease.
 
 
 
== References ==
 
 
 
Andrews, A.H, Blowey, R.W, Boyd, H and Eddy, R.G. (2004) '''Bovine Medicine''' (Second edition), ''Blackwell Publishing''
 
 
 
Blood, D.C. and Studdert, V. P. (1999) '''Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary''' (2nd Edition) ''Elsevier Science''
 
 
 
Divers, T.J. and Peek, S.F. (2008) '''Rebhun's diseases of dairy cattle''''' Elsevier Health Scieneces''
 
 
 
Radostits, O.M, Arundel, J.H, and Gay, C.C. (2000) '''Veterinary Medicine: a textbook of the diseases of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and horses''''' Elsevier Health Sciences''
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
<big><b>
 
This term is intended to refer to cattle. See the following pages for similar syndromes in other species.
 
:[[Hyperlipaemia - Horse]]
 
:[[Hyperlipaemia - Donkey]]
 
:[[White Liver Disease - Sheep]]
 
:[[Pregnancy Toxaemia]] (sheep)
 
:[[Hepatic Lipidosis]] (cat and dog)
 
</b></big>
 
 
 
 
 
{{review}}
 
 
 
{{OpenPages}}
 
 
 
[[Category:Liver_Diseases_-_Cattle]]
 
[[Category:Liver - Degenerative Pathology]]
 
[[Category:Expert_Review - Farm Animal]]
 

Revision as of 15:51, 7 December 2010



Intended to refer to cattle. See Hyperlipaemia - Horse, Hyperlipaemia - Donkey, White Liver Disease - Sheep, Pregnancy Toxaemia and Hepatic Lipidosis(cat and dog) for similar syndromes in other species.

All of this text is moved from Hepatic Lipidosis:

Bovine

  • fat cow syndrome (extreme form of fatty liver)
  • occurs in well-fed dairy cows a few days postpartum
  • an excessive accumulation of liver fat without being able to export it from the liver (during late dry period and early lactation)
  • amount of fat deposited influenced by:
    • Body Condition Score (how fat the cow is)
    • Milk Yield (energy requirement)
    • Appetite (low in fat cows)
  • triggered by various conditions:
    • abomasal displacement
    • mastitis
    • metritis
    • retained placenta
  • can be fatal due to liver failure (up to 25% has been reported)
Clinical
  • cow is sick
  • poor appetite
  • excessive weight loss
  • downer
  • high incidence of post parturient disease
Gross
  • fat infiltration of liver
  • enlarged
  • rounded edges
  • pale yellow colour
  • friable

NB: will also get fat infiltration of liver in cows which have not been eating for several days so interpret carefully

Prevention
  • dry off cows at correct BCS (up to 3.5)
  • do not adjust BCS during dry period
  • do not starve fat dry cows
  • maintain appetite over late dry and calving period to prevent excessive weight loss and fat mobilisation
  • use transistion diet