Special Operations Forces Medical Handbook

5-135

tapering off over 5 days (po is treatment of choice) or flunixin meglumine ( banamine) 1.1 mg/kg once daily
up to tid, PO/IM or IV (with endotoxemia).
Consider performing a nerve block only if competent and familiar with the technique.
Prevention: Maintain proper hygiene and foot care by keeping feet trimmed and picked clean. A farrier
should perform proper trimming, padding and shoeing of hoof.

Vet Medicine: Acute Mastitis (Animal)

MAJ Joseph Williamson, VC, USA

Introduction: Mastitis is the most costly disease to the dairy industry in the US and in most countries of the
world. Many bacteria, including Staphylococcus, Streptococcus and Coliforms can cause it. These pathogens
cause inflammation of the gland after traumatic injury or exposure to chemical irritants. It is usually a herd
health problem. Good hygiene and sanitation are necessary, or treatment will fail.

Subjective: Symptoms
Owner complains that the animal is reluctant to be milked, has swollen milk glands, will not eat, is generally
depressed, will not rise or move around (walking may cause discomfort to the gland).

Objective: Signs
Using Basic Tools: Peracute*: Swollen, hot, tender milk glands; abnormal secretions; fever Acute: mild
systemic signs; gland changes as with peracute Sub-acute: no systemic changes, mild gland changes

• Peracute - Very acute or violent

Assessment:

Differential Diagnosis: Tumor, cellulitis, stone in milk duct, trauma
The California Mastitis Test can be used as a diagnostic test when coupled with clinical signs. Perform the test
by stripping milk from each quarter (4 quarters per udder), mixing it with the reagent in the kit and observing
for clumped or stringy milk.

Plan:
Treatment:

1. Strip (milk) affected quarters dry, twice daily during therapy. Continue until condition resolved.


2. DO NOT consume milk.


3. C & S is critical prior to treatment with antibiotics. Only treat with antibiotics labeled “FOR VETERINARY
   USE ONLY” and if applies, “MAMMARY INFUSION.” Medics will have to shop for these. For
   Streptococcal species - Procaine Penicillin G Intramammary Infusion for lactating animals at 100,000
   units per gland for 3 days. For Staphylococcal species - Dry treatment (not milking) is best; results
   disappointing if treated during lactation. Mammary infusion with pre-mixed antibiotics. For other species -
   base treatment on C & S. Infuse paste antibiotics into the milk glands. The paste is in a pre-measured
   plastic infusion syringe. Gently push the tip into teat duct and infuse antibiotics.


4. If paste antibiotics are unavailable, apply hot compresses as often as possible during peracute and acute
   phases.


5. Give IV antibiotics if animal has signs of systemic infection (fever, lassitude, poor appetite, etc.)

Vet Medicine: Animal Disease: Diarrhea in Porcine

MAJ Joseph Williamson, VC, USA

Introduction: Diarrhea, or scours, is a common and highly contagious problem in pigs. It may be attributed to
many agents: Enterogenic E. coli, Treponema hyodysenteriae, Salmonella, Rotavirus or others. The disease
may affect individuals or the whole herd but is not a zoonotic threat. Herd health and condition is a vital tool