Hardware disease
2198984
219729667
2008-06-16T16:51:52Z
130.18.105.183
'''Hardware disease''' is a common term for [[bovine]] traumatic [[gastritis]] and traumatic reticulitis. It is usually caused by ingestion of [[Wiktionary:tramp iron|tramp iron]] in [[fodder]] or [[silage]]. Sharp metallic objects pass through the [[Reticulum (anatomy)|reticulum]] and settle in the [[rumen]], and can irritate or even perforate its lining.
Cows with hardware disease exhibit [[Fatigue (medical)|lethargy]], have poor appetite, and have reduced [[milk]] production and weight gain. In rare cases, an object may pass through the reticular lining and pierce the [[pericardium|heart sac]].
Treatment involves elevation and [[antibiotic]]s. For valuable animals, [[surgery]] may be indicated to remove the objects.
Hardware disease can be reduced by use of [[cow magnet]]s to collect ingested objects and prevent their migration through the reticulum. After the cow is slaughtered, the magnet is removed and the farmer sells the metal as scrap.
'''Hardware Disease/Traumatic Reticuloperitonitis'''
'''Facts:''' more common in mature dairy cattle
'''
Pathophysiology:'''
'''Acute:''' indiscriminate eaters ingest a FB (foreign body)and contractions force the FB through wall of reticulum (right medial wall is the most common site), the foreign body can also go into: (1) liver; (2) pericardium causing pericarditis; (3) diaphragm causing plueuritis.) The result is local/diffuse peritonitis including leakage into abdominal cavity and fibrous adhesions that can disrupt GI motility. Abscesses are also a common sequellae.
'''Chronic:''' vagal indigestion causing interference with the vagal nerve leading to failure of transport of ingesta from rumen with no gas build up
'''Clinical Signs:'''
'''Acute:''' (1) anorexia, (2) sharp fall in milk production, (3) Pain: anxious expression, careful gait, unwillingness to move, shallow/fast resp. rate, increased HR, (4) Grunts when defecates, urinates, moves, or with withers test, (5) elbows abducted and back arched
'''Chronic:''' (1) vagal indigestion, (2) fever, (3) shock, (4) no fecal passage, (5) generalized ileus, (6) if less severe cases can have unclear and minimal signs that are hard to diagnose
'''Diagnosis:'''
'''Acute:''' (1) withers test, (2) skooch test: put pressure on the xiphoid area, (3) use a compass to check for presence of magnet, (4) exploratory laparotomy – usually L flank behind last rib, (5) standing rads: FB= radioopaque, gas indicative of abscess (gram negative bac.), (6) Abdominocentesis – neg. findings don’t rule it out, can get a small volume, frank pus/ingesta (7) rumenotomy: feel for FB/ abscesses (will be slimy feeling)
'''Chronic:''' (1) rectal, (2) chronic bloat – serum and rumen electrolytes normal, PMN> 40% neutrophilia (lymphocyte/neturophil reversal)
'''Treatment:'''
'''Medical:''' (1) Forestomach magnet, (2) IV or IM antibiotics – broad spectrum (Naxcel, tetracyclines, penicillin), (3) supportive care, (4) analgesia (be careful about ulcers), (5) many recover in 3 days, if they don’t then go to surgery
'''Surgical:''' (1) rumenotomy - remove object, do not break down adhesions because it will localize any peritonitis
'''Control:'''
Bar magnet – all cattle at 1st breeding or pregnancy dx
Clean FB from area/ environment, avoid bailing wire
Compass check for magnet
'''Prognosis:'''
Good with surgery
Poor for diffuse peritonitis
== References ==
* [http://muextension.missouri.edu/explore/agguides/pests/g07700.htm Hardware Disease of Cattle], Bonnard L. Moseley, University of Missouri
Guide to Bovine Clinics 4th Edition, Pasquini, Chris
[[Category:Bovine diseases]]
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