Related Experiment Videos
Pneumothorax in dairy cattle: 30 cases (1990-2003)
Jo Ann Slack1, Chet B Thomas, Simon F Peek
1Department of Medical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
|October 2, 2004
Summary
Pneumothorax in dairy cattle often accompanies chronic bronchopneumonia. While 60% of affected cattle survived, pneumothorax significantly reduced survival rates in those with chronic lung disease.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Animal Health
- Respiratory Diseases in Cattle
Background:
- Pneumothorax, the presence of air in the pleural space, is a critical condition in cattle.
- Understanding its causes and outcomes is vital for dairy herd management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the characteristics, etiology, diagnostic findings, and treatment outcomes of pneumothorax in dairy cattle.
- To compare survival rates between cattle with and without pneumothorax, particularly those with pneumonia.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study analyzing medical records of 30 dairy cattle diagnosed with pneumothorax.
- Data collected included signalment, history, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome.
- Survival data were compared between cattle with pneumonia with or without pneumothorax.
Main Results:
- Pneumothorax was linked to bronchopneumonia (18 cases), interstitial pneumonia (7 cases), trauma (3 cases), and neonatal distress (2 cases).
- Bovine respiratory syncytial virus was a common infectious agent. Overall survival was 60% (18/30), with 8 euthanatized and 4 deaths.
- Cattle with pneumonia and pneumothorax had a lower survival rate (81% without pneumothorax) and pneumothorax was a risk factor for mortality in chronic bronchopneumonia.
Conclusions:
- Pneumothorax in dairy cattle is frequently associated with chronic bronchopneumonia.
- Both sexes and all ages of cattle are susceptible to pneumothorax.