Post-Mortem of a Feedlot Steer

Fig. 1. The heart image depicts serous atrophy of cardiac fat.
Fig. 1. The heart image depicts serous atrophy of cardiac fat.
(All images courtesy of Feedlot Health Management Services.)

Fig. 2. The liver and kidney image depicts a small and dark liver, and absence of peri-renal fat.

Fig. 3. The open abdominal cavity image depicts a mesentery devoid of adipose tissue.

These images depict a steer calf that had been on feed for 87 days, at which time it was found dead after a period of losing weight through the winter months.

This condition, typically diagnosed in feedlot calves in cold locations, can result in severe emaciation, anorexia, and sometimes physical weakness and muscle atrophy, difficulty standing or walking and little to no external fat observed via sight or palpation. Can you diagnose what this calf died of? 

This continues our Post-Mortem Series, in partnership with Feedlot Health Management Services, Okotoks, Alberta.

page 2

Click to page 2 for the answer and from the experts at Feedlot Health Management Services.

 

Tags

Animal health Veterinary - General Feedlot Diagnostics
 

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