Sepsis in adult cattle

Abstract

Sepsis is caused by an overwhelming inflammatory response to a pathogen, often bacteria, that leads to shock and then death if left untreated. Cattle on high energy diets appear to be predisposed as the majority of infections stem from the gastrointestinal tract. It has not been established why some animals become septic and others do not although tolerance occurs if a cow is exposed to endotoxin in sublethal doses, either repeatedly or continuously, for a period of time. There is no defined framework to use out in the field when trying to diagnose the disease, with repeated clinical assessments often needed to detect deterioration of a case and ensure medical interventions are timely. The aims of treatment are to restore the circulatory volume, remove the infection and to dampen down the inflammatory response.