Inhalation pneumonia occurs when foreign material makes it way down the airways of cattle.
ADVERTISEMENT
Cause
One of the more common manifestations occurs when the stomach tube is placed in the trachea (windpipe) rather than the oesophagus of young calf which needs to be stomach tubed. The other common manifestation occurs in cows in lateral recumbency (typically as a result of milk fever) and they inhale their own rumen contents.
Symptoms
ADVERTISEMENT
In most cases, it is fatal and death can occur quickly. If death does not occur immediately, it usually causes fibrinous pleuropneumonia.
Treatment
Treatment in adult cattle which inhaled rumen contents is usually hopeless. Treatment in a calf which has inhaled fluids is dose dependent and may succeed where a small volume has been inhaled. Such treatment involves antimicrobial and anti-flammatory treatment until signs of respiratory disease resolve.
Prevention and control
The major risk associated with stomach tubing calves is inhalation pneumonia. Therefore it is well worth taking proper care with this procedure.
Calves should be put lying on the right side, as the trachea is on the right side. The oesophagus is a collapsible organ and will expand as the stomach tube passes down through it. Therefore unless you can see the tube passing through the oesophagus, assume the tube is in the trachea and start again. It is a good idea to place some lubricant on the top of the stomach tube. At all times, move the tube gently, as over vigorous placement of the stomach tube can easily bruise the stomach, and in some cases can even rupture the stomach.
Register for free to read this story and our free stories.
This content is available to digital subscribers and loyalty code users only. Sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe to get unlimited access.
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
CODE ACCEPTED
You have full access to the site until next Wednesday at 9pm.
CODE NOT VALID
Please try again or contact support.
Cause
One of the more common manifestations occurs when the stomach tube is placed in the trachea (windpipe) rather than the oesophagus of young calf which needs to be stomach tubed. The other common manifestation occurs in cows in lateral recumbency (typically as a result of milk fever) and they inhale their own rumen contents.
Symptoms
In most cases, it is fatal and death can occur quickly. If death does not occur immediately, it usually causes fibrinous pleuropneumonia.
Treatment
Treatment in adult cattle which inhaled rumen contents is usually hopeless. Treatment in a calf which has inhaled fluids is dose dependent and may succeed where a small volume has been inhaled. Such treatment involves antimicrobial and anti-flammatory treatment until signs of respiratory disease resolve.
Prevention and control
The major risk associated with stomach tubing calves is inhalation pneumonia. Therefore it is well worth taking proper care with this procedure.
Calves should be put lying on the right side, as the trachea is on the right side. The oesophagus is a collapsible organ and will expand as the stomach tube passes down through it. Therefore unless you can see the tube passing through the oesophagus, assume the tube is in the trachea and start again. It is a good idea to place some lubricant on the top of the stomach tube. At all times, move the tube gently, as over vigorous placement of the stomach tube can easily bruise the stomach, and in some cases can even rupture the stomach.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525.
Link sent to your email address
We have sent an email to your address. Please click on the link in this email to reset your password. If you can't find it in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you can't find the email, please call us on 01-4199525.
ENTER YOUR LOYALTY CODE:
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
SHARING OPTIONS