This archive report was first published on 10 August 2019.
As a veterinarian, I have encountered my share of puzzling cases, but one that still haunts me is that of a dairy cow that died suddenly in Kamulu, Machakos County, two weeks ago.
The cow, a Friesian dairy cow, had been under treatment for four days before its condition deteriorated, and its owner, David, was at a loss to explain the sudden turn of events.
On my arrival at the farm, I met with the paravet who had treated the cow, Dan, who had diagnosed red water, gull sickness, and pneumonia four days earlier and given treatment.
However, on the third day, the cow's condition worsened, and Dan treated it further for pneumonia, but the cow continued to deteriorate.
Upon examination, I noticed that the cow was lying on its left side, with deep strained breathing, but its mucous membranes were healthy pink, and its eyes were watering and salivating heavily.
The cow's lips and nose were twitching menacingly, and it bit a piece of wood hard when I put it between its teeth.
Given the symptoms, I suspected rabies, but I also considered other possible causes, including a nervous condition, a blood parasite or viral infection, and a tapeworm that affects the brain.
However, the laboratory results confirmed that the cow did not have rabies, leaving the cause of death a mystery.
As a veterinarian, I have learned that diseases do not always present with all the documented signs, and the set of disease signs documented for any ailment do not necessarily have to all occur in one case at the same time.
For now, the case is rested, but if another animal shows similar signs, I will refer it to the University Veterinary School at Kabete for higher level pathological laboratory diagnoses on both the live and dead animal.
