Cattle Medicine Q&A 07

This question was provided by Manson Publishing as part of the OVAL Project. See more Cattle questions

A 5-day-old Charolais-cross beef calf has been dull and unwilling to suckle from the cow for the past 6 hr. The rectal temperature is 39.2°C (102.6°F). The calf is depressed and stands with a wide-based stance with the neck extended. The menace response is reduced and there is marked episcleral congestion and dorso medial strabismus. The respiratory rate is increased at 60 breaths per minute. The umbilicus had been treated with strong iodine solution and appears normal. There is no evidence of diarrhoea. The lymph nodes are not enlarged.

Question	Answer	Article
What conditions would you consider?	The most likely conditions to consider include: bacterial meningoencephalitis septicaemia.	Link to Article
How could you confirm your diagnosis?	Diagnosis of meningoencephalitis follows lumbar CSF collection under local anaesthesia using a 20 gauge 25 mm hypodermic needle. The sample is turbid, caused by the influx of white cells, and has a frothy appearance after sample agitation due to the increased protein concentration. Laboratory analysis reveals: a total protein concentration of 1.1 g/L (0.11 g/dL) (normal <0.3 g/L, <0.03 g/dL) a white cell concentration of 1.6 × 109/L (1.6 × 103/μL) (normal <0.012 × 109/L, <0.012 × 103/μL), comprised almost entirely of neutrophils (neutrophilic pleocytosis). The total plasma protein of 48 g/L (4.8 g/dL) indicates failure of passive antibody transfer (normal value for calves that have sucked colostrum >65 g/L, <6.5 g/dL).	Link to Article
What is the likely cause?	Escherichia coli, Pasteurella spp., Staphylococcus pyogenes, and Arcanobacterium pyogenes have been isolated from clinical cases of meningoencephalitis. E. coli is the most common isolate from septicaemic calves.	Link to Article
What treatment(s) would you administer?	The calf was treated with high doses of intravenous trimethoprim/sulphonamide and soluble corticosteroid (dexamethasone at 1.0 mg/kg).	Link to Article
What is the prognosis for this calf?	The calf improved over the next 24 hr¹.	Link to Article

Comments by Nick Lyons MA VetMB CertCHP MRCVS

1. The answer is poor! The answer given says the calf improved over the next 24 hours which is not the case more often than not, and does not answer the question!