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HEART MURMUR IN A HEIFER – A CASE REPORT

An 18-month-old Holstein Friesian heifer was referred to the Scottish Centre for Production Animal Health and Food Safety at the University of Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine. The history. The heifer was housed, fed silage ad lib with a small amount of barley and cake until two months prior to the admission, when she was put out on pasture and grazed. She had had no history of disease until two weeks prior to the admission, when she became slower, had decreased appetite and progressed to lying down, with no energy and anorexia. The heifer was examined by a first-opinion vet. Their findings included pyrexia, mild ataxia and muffled heart sounds. It was presumed that the heifer was suffering from pericarditis. The examination upon arrival showed BCS 2, stiff gait and reluctance to stand up or walk, with T 39.7 oC, RR of 40, and HR of 100, 5 quiet ruminal contractions in 5 minutes and 7% dehydration. The lungs were normal but auscultation of the heart revealed a regular rhythm with grade 4/6 systolic murmur. The percussion auscultation test for LDA was negative and the withers test was positive. Blood analysis revealed leukocytosis with neutrophilia and increased bilirubin, total proteins, globulins and GLDH. She was treated with Trimethoprim- Sulfadiazine and Meloxicam IV and orally with 30 litres of fluids. The next day she developed recumbency with tachyopnoea and was euthanised. A post-mortem examination found the presence of multifocal abscesses affecting the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys and serosal surface of the ileum and caecum, splenic and renal infarcts. The hepatic abscess was close to the vena cava. Hepatic abscesses are common in cattle and may arise by direct implantation of a foreign body from the reticulum or by haematogenous spread from portal vein emboli. At this stage of the investigation, with no signs of a foreign body or reticular changes, no damage of the ruminal mucosa present and no history of dietary acidosis, the origin of the bacterial infection remains unclear.

Heart Murmur, Heifer, Abscess, Multifocal

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