Page 56 - The Veterinary Laboratory and Field Manual 3rd Edition

Setting up and using a laboratory service 25

Figure 1.15 The initial examination of a ‘downer’ cow may be straightforward if the animal is resting
comfortably but to determine the cause of the problem it is important to obtain a full clinical history (that
is, has the cow calved recently? Was it a difficult calving? Is the cow a high producing animal likely to
develop hypocalcaemia and so on). Temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate should be noted as well
as general condition, presence or absence of normal abdominal sounds, evidence of trauma, colour of
mucous membranes, consistency of faecal material, colour of urine, and so on. Blood samples may need
to be collected to assess the severity of the animal’s condition.

Figure 1.16 Mouth gag for cattle (drinkwater gag),
which is placed on one side of the jaw to hold the
mouth open. If a bovine animal has difficulty eat- Figure 1.17 Using the ball of the finger (not the
ing, often drops food, or appears to be salivating thumb) the pulse can be measured at the middle
a lot it is important to look in the mouth. In some coccygeal (tail) artery in the bovine. Blood samples
cases, it is necessary to use a gag and a torch to can be collected from the middle coccygeal vein.
allow good visualization of the throat. If rabies is Illustration: Louis Wood.
suspected seek advice from the regional veterinary
officer before examining the animal. Illustration:
Louis Wood.

Vet Lab.indb 25 26/03/2019 10:25