Dairy Vet June 2010 - Clinical Quiz

Again this month we have something to test your knowledge, although some of you may have already seen a case on farm. Chris Watson of the Wood Veterinary Group sets the clinical scene. So why not have a go?

A small suckler unit called me the other day to take a look at a young steer that was in extreme discomfort and best described it politely as having serious trouble with its “back end”.

When I arrived, the steer was wandering around the yard in great distress with its tail up in the air and arching its back straining.

In fact when it turned round you could see it was straining so much that the anus was stretched so the rectum was being pushed out.

This is described as rectal prolapse and looks like a pink “bouquet” of mucous tissue pushed out through the anus. When the animal relaxed, the rectal tissue disappeared back through the anal ring to where it should be.

There was obvious scouring with thin dark faeces being pushed out in small quantities, and there was more to be found on the concrete floor of the yard.

There was also evidence of fresh red blood staining around the hind quarters from the scour.

The steer was not clinically ill and was in good condition, well grown, and still feeding from the trough. The temperature was normal.

The first two correct entries out of the hat will each win one of our sat-navs.

Congratulations to our two winners:

• L A Brown, Ellerton Home Farm, Sambrook, Shropshire
• Jenny Ashton, Awsland Farm, Torrington, Devon.

Full details of the diagnosis and treatment can be found in the October issue of Dairy Vet

Terms and conditions

• The competition is open to residents (age 18yrs or over) of the UK only, with the exception of ‘employees’ or ‘relatives of employees’ of UBM Information Ltd.
• Inclusion in the competition is subject to registration.
• Entry to the draw will close Friday July 16, 2010.
• The winners will be selected at random.
• The judge’s decision is final. No correspondence or discussion shall be entered into.
• Prizes are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. No prize alternative available. Model of prize may differ from that shown.

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