Walking disease

Often there are manifestations of hepatic encephalopathy [e.g., aimless wandering ("walking disease"), head-pressing, and excitement or disorientation]. CNS signs seem to be more common in horses than in cattle. 

Cramping sensation in the leg or buttock precipitated reproducibly by walking or exercise that occurs as a result of decreased oxygen supply due to severe atherosclerotic disease of the peripheral vascular system. It typically subsides after a brief rest. 

Intermittent claudication is a group of symptoms characterized by pain in the calf muscle of one or both legp, caused by walking and relieved by rest. It is a manifestation of peripheral vascular disease, in which atherosclerotic lesions develop in the femoral artery, diminishing blood supply to the lower leg. Cilostazol is used to treat intermittent claudication. 

Therapeutic results obtained from the administration of a peripheral vasodilating drug may not occur immediately. In some instances, results are minimal. The nurse assesses involved extremities daily for changes in color and temperature and records die patient s comments regarding relief from pain or discomfort. The nurse should monitor die blood pressure and pulse one to two times per day because tiiese dru may cause a decrease in blood pressure The anticipated result of tiierapy for cerebral vascular disease is an improvement in die patient s mental status. When die drug is taken for intermittent claudication, the nurse assesses the patient for increased walking distance without pain. 

Incorporate other measures to track disease progress. Use radiography to assess severity of joint destruction, determine 50-ft walking time and grip strength, and administer the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire, where appropriate, to assess activities of daily living. 

In broilers of modern fast growing, meat production genotypes, most deaths are due to sudden heart failure and parasite infections (see also Chapter 12). Also such genotypes suffer from leg disorders (perosis, tibial dyschondroplasia, etc.) and muscle diseases to such an extent that they have difficulty in walking normally. They are thought to suffer severe pain and consequently spend much longer lying down. This in turn may lead to serious breast blisters. 

PAD is a coronary artery disease risk equivalent, andaBPgoaloflower-extremity PAD CCBs may also be beneficial. /3-Blockers have traditionally been considered problematic because of possible decreased peripheral blood flow secondary to unopposed stimulation of a-receptors that results in vasoconstriction. However, /3-blockers are not contraindicated in PAD and have not been shown to adversely affect walking capability. 

While we remain anxious about the health threats associated with the world of industrial chemicals, we perhaps should be even more anxious about those agents of disease that have been with us since we first risked walking the earth. Infectious diseases, those passed to us from other people or from animals, are major health burdens, and... 

---