Thoughtful Thursday: Gaunt Gagging Goats (Case 4)

 

 

Photo of Professor Pocky taken by Dr. Haus

Click For Explanation of Case Flow

 

Click for Test Case Tuesday:  Gaunt Gagging Goats

Diagnostic Testing Results Reminder:

 

Radiographs (X-Rays):

Signs of inflammation in the bronchioles of the lungs

 

CBC:

Increased eosinophils

 

Further Diagnostic Testing Results:

 

Fecal Exam (Poop Sample):

TNTC (too numerous to count) Dictyocaulus filaria eggs

🧪

Diagnosis:

🪱PARASITIC INFECTION:  DICTYOCAULUS FILARIA🪱

 

Pathophysiological Point:

Dictyocaulus filaria (D. filaria) is a parasitic infection.  The D. filaria larvae are ingested by the goat and penetrate through the small intestines into the blood stream.  The larvae arrive at the lungs where they develop into adult lung worms.  As the larvae develop, they block bronchioles and lead to eosinophils, lymphocytes, and plasma cells entering the bronchioles causing an inflammatory state.  Some larvae/eggs fall into the alveoli leading to inflammation in the alveoli.  The eggs/larvae are coughed up, swallowed, pooped out, and the cycle continues.

 

 Questions:

Level 1 Questions:

1.  Explain what the lungs do and why they are important.
   
   
2.  Why do you think the goats are having trouble breathing?  (HINT:  Think about the effect a parasite in the lungs would have on breathing)
   
   
3.  Challenge question, why do you think the goats are losing weight?  (HINT:  There are multiple answers to this question.  Think about what parasites do to the body and how a parasite that makes it hard to breathe would affect the goats)
   

 

Level 2 Questions:

1. Explain how inflammation in the alveoli affects the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body.  Why does this lead to an increased respiratory rate in the goats?
   
   
2. How will this disease affect the compliance of the affected goats' lungs later in life?  (HINT:  Compliance is how well the lungs can expand to accommodate air.  Think about how the body heals injuries and how this might affect lung compliance)
   
   
3. Challenge question, explain the pulmonary mechanism that allows the parasite to spread between hosts in the fecal-oral route.  In other words, what mechanism allows the eggs produced by the adult lung worms to enter the gastrointestinal tract?
   

    
   

Level 3 Questions:

1.  Describe the treatment plan you would recommend for the goats and why you are recommending each part of your treatment plan.  Please answer this question as if you are speaking to a professional colleague.
   
   
2.  Describe your recommended treatment plan and why you are recommending each part of your treatment plan.  Please answer this question as if you are explaining it to a client/patient without a scientific background.
   
   
3.  How does this disease affect these goat's V/Q ratio (ventilation/perfusion ratio)?
   

  

Day 2 Conclusion

Before Conclusion Caturday think about your...

❓Answers to the above questions

📚 Review Material Related to our goats' case

 

Conclusion Caturday:  Gaunt Gagging Goats (link will go live Saturday, 11/11/2023)