A syndrome of progressive right-sided heart failure occurred among yearling Holsteins at a heifer-raising facility and 2 dairies on the Colorado Front Range between 2007 and 2011. Most cases were seen at the heifer-raising facility, where the disease ranked second only to pneumonia as a major cause of death in animals aged <1.5 years. The disease resulted in the death or premature sale of 55 animals over the 5-year period. Affected heifers were 4-15 months old when they developed dyspnea, tachycardia, distention and pulsation of jugular veins, lethargy, and weight loss. Clinical progression in most was rapid (2 days to 2 weeks). Ten cattle with typical clinical signs were examined postmortem between 2008 and 2010. Seven developed clinical signs after transportation 57-238 days earlier from Wisconsin (elevation: < 275 m); the remaining 3 animals were born and raised at an altitude of 1,600 m. At necropsy, the 10 cattle had marked hypertrophy of right ventricular myocardium, dilated right atria, right ventricles, and pulmonary trunks, as well as hepatomegaly, ascites, and serous atrophy of fat. The principal histological change in lungs was hypertrophied tunicae adventitia and media of muscular arteries. Hepatic changes were typical of chronic passive congestion. Ultrastructural changes in heart were consistent with uncomplicated hypertrophy of cardiocytes with no evidence of primary cardiomyopathy. The syndrome most likely represents brisket disease due to pulmonary hypertension at the modest elevation of 1,600 m.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.