Joint Swelling In Neonate Calf

Question 1

• 18 day old Fr/H x Hereford bull calf
• Assisted delivery due to a positional dystocia (anterior presentation, dorsal position, unilateral carpal flexion)
• Farmer noticed the calf was a little less reluctant to drink milk 48 hours ago and appeared reluctant to stand
• Yesterday the calf was lame and its lower left leg appeared swollen
• This is the third such case in the last two months
• Pyrexic (39.4oC) and mild tachycardia
• Will stand if encouraged; reluctant to weight bear on the left fore limb
• The metacarpo-phalangeal joint is hot, swollen and painful if palpated or manipulated
• The navel is thickened and slightly painful on palpation
• The right stifle joint also appears a little swollen but does not appear to be painful

Are the joint tap findings normal or abnormal. If abnormal, what are your findings and diagnosis in this case?

Answer 1

–Abnormal – Joint ill

–There are many neutrophils present

–Some macrophages present

–The appearance of this fluid was orange/cloudy and normal should be clear

–The cytology has an appearance of inflammatory joint disease

–Diagnosis – JOINT ILL causing an infectious arthritis

Question 2

Outline a conservative lower cost treatment programme for joint ill in a calf

Answer 2

• Antibiotics (selection and therapy)
• NSAIDs

Question 3

Outline a mmore aggressive treatment programme if the client is prepared to spend more money for joint ill in a calf

Answer 3

•Joint lavage where the joint is flushed

Question 4

Outline how you will investigate the cause of joint on this farm and how you will reduce the risk of disease for subsequent calves born on the unit

Answer 4

–Adequate passive antibody transfer with a minimum of 3 litres of good quality colostrum during the first 6 hours of life but preferably the first two hours.

–An oesophageal feeder can be used to administer colostrum if the calf will not suck.

–Reduce environmental bacterial challenge in calving boxes by cleaning out between each calving cow.

–Umbilicus (navel) must be fully immersed in strong veterinary iodine BP within the first 15 minutes of life and repeated 2 to 4 hours later where possible.

–Treat all infections promptly after seeking veterinary advice.

Question 5

Label these synovial fluid cytology slides

Answer 5

A) Osteoarthritis

B) Inflammatory joint disease

C) Haemarthrosis

D) Osteoclast