Air Bubbles: UPDATE

[randiliana]

Now that I have time to think about this again, here is an update. We have spoken to the vet about this animal, and what he had to say is:

She has had some sort of damage to her lungs which is causing them to "leak" and this is what is causing her to have air bubbles under the skin. All we can do is watch her and treat any other problems that may crop up, and cross our fingers that she will heal on her own. In his opinion it is NOT hardware, or Blackleg (as she should have died within a couple days).

Other than the puffy look to her, she seems to be feeling OK. She doesn't seem to have trouble breathing, has no fever, and she is eating well. She as completely quit milking however, so we are bottle feeding the calf. That is one less stress on her. So we will cross our fingers that she gets over this and we don't end up having to put her down. It is a shame since she is only 3 years old, and she did a really good job on her calf last year, and she had a good start on this years calf

 

[MikeJoel]

On the probability of getting jumped on I'll ask.

How does air get from the lungs to the skin?
The lungs are in their own cavity, sealed in.

I tried to find information on a punctured lung causing air in the skin and cant. How is it possible?

Mike

 

[milkmaid]

Same thing I was wondering. I don't like questioning a vet's opinion too often, as they've had a lot of schooling that I lack, but yet... :???:

You'd said before she's responded to antibiotic treatment, and if so then you ARE dealing with an infection of some sort. My guess is along the lines of clostridium simply because I have seen something like what you describe before, and because most of the clostridiums produce a gas - think of blackleg, C&D, gas gangerene, etc. And I know you said she's not vaccinated for that.

Food for thought anyways! Have a good night
MM

 

[msscamp]

On the probability of getting jumped on I'll ask.

How does air get from the lungs to the skin?
The lungs are in their own cavity, sealed in.

I tried to find information on a punctured lung causing air in the skin and cant. How is it possible?

Mike

The lungs are in the thoracic (sp?) cavity, but it is not 'sealed'. Air leaking from the lungs would rise and end up under the skin. A punctured lung won't cause the same result, because the act of puncturing the lung collapses it and renders it incapable of drawing air into the body - thus no leak. I had this same thing happen with my dog when she got clipped by a semi truck a few years back. She fractured her skull and air was leaking from her sinuse cavities. The leaked air accumulated under her skin and caused a weird, crinkly, cellophane type of feeling and noise. I hope this helps.

 

[randiliana]

Thanks for that explanation msscamp. I sure couldn't have explained it!!

 

[msscamp]

Thanks for that explanation msscamp. I sure couldn't have explained it!!

No problem! The only reason I can explain it is because I've been through it with my dog! :lol: :lol: :lol:

PS I realize that we're talking about two different scenarios, but she recovered just fine with quiet time, no running around and being hyper, and drugs. I just wish I could remember if they were anti-inflammatories or antibiotics. Hopefully a similar course of action will allow your cow to recover.

 

[randiliana]

[

PS I realize that we're talking about two different scenarios, but she recovered just fine with quiet time, no running around and being hyper, and drugs. I just wish I could remember if they were anti-inflammatories or antibiotics. Hopefully a similar course of action will allow your cow to recover.

Well, that is about all we can do for her. The vet says there isn't much else to do, as long as she seems healthy. He figures she will either get better on her own or we will have to put her down.

 

[msscamp]

[

PS I realize that we're talking about two different scenarios, but she recovered just fine with quiet time, no running around and being hyper, and drugs. I just wish I could remember if they were anti-inflammatories or antibiotics. Hopefully a similar course of action will allow your cow to recover.

Well, that is about all we can do for her. The vet says there isn't much else to do, as long as she seems healthy. He figures she will either get better on her own or we will have to put her down.

I've got my fingers crossed and I will say a prayer. ;-) I would really hate for you to lose this cow - things are tough enough up there without this. I hope you understand what I'm trying to say, I can't seem to phrase it right.

 

[randiliana]

I've got my fingers crossed and I will say a prayer. ;-) I would really hate for you to lose this cow - things are tough enough up there without this. I hope you understand what I'm trying to say, I can't seem to phrase it right.

Thank you msscamp , I understand perfectly!!

The worst thing about this cow is that she is the third one of "my" cows to get sick, and the other two died. One to pnemonia, and the other to an abcess. Now this....

 

[Vicky the vet]

On the probability of getting jumped on I'll ask.

How does air get from the lungs to the skin?
The lungs are in their own cavity, sealed in.

I tried to find information on a punctured lung causing air in the skin and cant. How is it possible?

Mike

OK, I'll bite. IF you have bullous emphysema, such as from BRSV, and one of the bullae burst, the air will leak out. Some of this air will leave the chest cavity and will be found under the skin. Does this happen often? Yes, under the above circumstances. It will resolve when the air stops leaking. It's not a great sign...

 

[msscamp]

I've got my fingers crossed and I will say a prayer. ;-) I would really hate for you to lose this cow - things are tough enough up there without this. I hope you understand what I'm trying to say, I can't seem to phrase it right.

Thank you msscamp , I understand perfectly!!

The worst thing about this cow is that she is the third one of "my" cows to get sick, and the other two died. One to pnemonia, and the other to an abcess. Now this....

That really bites! They say bad things come in three's, hopefully this is the end of your run and it will be sunshine and roses from here on out. I sure hope so! Keep your chin up, keep putting one foot in front of the other, and don't give up (I know, it's lame - I don't know any other way to provide a little support and encouragement, though. )!! ;-) Just my thoughts.

 

[randiliana]

That really bites! They say bad things come in three's, hopefully this is the end of your run and it will be sunshine and roses from here on out. I sure hope so! Keep your chin up, keep putting one foot in front of the other, and don't give up (I know, it's lame - I don't know any other way to provide a little support and encouragement, though. )!! ;-) Just my thoughts.

Thanks, msscamp, and, as the saying goes "you can't lose them if you don't have them" ;-) I guess we all have to learn to take the bad with the good. But calving season (the best time of the year) went well, and I'm pretty UP right now, even with all this . Plus, we had 2/3 heifer calves this year so I'm already picking replacements, heck, I'm doing that almost before they hit the ground

 

[msscamp]

That really bites! They say bad things come in three's, hopefully this is the end of your run and it will be sunshine and roses from here on out. I sure hope so! Keep your chin up, keep putting one foot in front of the other, and don't give up (I know, it's lame - I don't know any other way to provide a little support and encouragement, though. )!! ;-) Just my thoughts.

Thanks, msscamp, and, as the saying goes "you can't lose them if you don't have them" ;-) I guess we all have to learn to take the bad with the good. But calving season (the best time of the year) went well, and I'm pretty UP right now, even with all this . Plus, we had 2/3 heifer calves this year so I'm already picking replacements, heck, I'm doing that almost before they hit the ground

Good deal! I love calving season, too.

 

[randiliana]

Good deal! I love calving season, too.

Yep!! And this girl had a heifer which is on my keep list. There is a pic of the calf on the beginners board now.