L19: Upper Leg Lameness In Cattle (Shearer)

Question 1

Tx for spinal lesions?

Answer 1

Euthanasia indicated for most cases

Question 2

Injection site lesion –> nerve damage to peroneal branch of ischiatic nerve damage

CS?

Answer 2

• buckling hoof as she walks

- worn hooves over the toes

Question 3

Coxofemoral (hip) luxation etiology/cause

Answer 3

• common in dairy cattle
• usually unilateral
• often related to trauma (ie. Obturator paralysis and bilateral abduction of the limbs at calving, may occur in calves from excessive traction during delivery)

Question 4

2 types of coxofemoral luxation

Answer 4

1) dorso-cranial displacement of the femoral head

2) ventro or caudo-ventral displacement of the femoral head

Question 5

dorso-cranial displacement of the femoral head

Answer 5

• most common form of coxofemoral luxation
• head of femur lies along ilial shaft
• animal has hard time bearing weight on limb
• stifle and foot (digits) rotated outward

Question 6

ventro or caudo-ventral displacement of the femoral head

Answer 6

• less frequent form of coxofemoral luxation
• poorer prognosis
• MS and neuro problems are MORE common with this form of displacement

Question 7

DDx of coxofemoral luxation

Answer 7

• pelvic fxs
• fx of the femoral neck
• separation of the femoral epiphysis and sacroiliac luxation

Question 8

Non-surgical tx of coxofemoral luxation and factors that affect success

Answer 8

Non-surgical approaches:

-most successful if

Question 9

Surgical correction of coxofemoral luxation

Answer 9

• open reduction has good results
• craniodorsal luxations have better long-term outcomes than ventrocaudal cases
• re-luxation is most common secondary complication

Question 10

Prognosis of coxofemoral luxation

Answer 10

• generally poor
• chronic cases of hip dislocation develops a false joint (pseudoarthrosis) but weight loss and severe lameness are to be expected
• slaughter should be considered for all but the most valuable animals

Question 11

Spastic Syndrome (Progressive Hind Limb Paralysis)

Answer 11

• most common in older dairy cattle (esp. Holsteins, Guernsey’s)
• heritable disorder caused by an autosomal dominant gene
• may be a functional disorder of the myotactic reflex or postural reflex mechanisms
• neuromuscular disorder characterized by episodic involuntary muscle contractions or spasms involving the hind legs

Question 12

CS of spastic syndrome

Answer 12

• postural disturbances described as crampiness, the stretches, periodic spasticity, standings disease, and progressive posterior paresis
• backward extension and abduction of the hind legs
• muscle trembling
• difficulty moving forward
• some animals develop severe lordosis

Question 13

Tx for spastic syndrome

Answer 13

• none

- affected animals tend to deteriorate w/ time requiring slaughter or euthanasia

Question 14

Spastic Paresis (Elso Heel)

Answer 14

• aka Progressive Hind Limb Paralysis
• a neuromuscular disorder characterized by uni-lateral or bilateral hyperextension of the hock and stifle joints
• can be bilateral or unilateral
• seen in YOUNG animals, both beef and dairy
• heritable

Question 15

CS of spastic paresis (elso heel)

Answer 15

• excessive tone and contracture of the gastrocnemius muscle
• overextension of the hock and stifle joints
• stiff movement and a straight hock
• animal swings leg forward when walking
• predisposes to DJD

Question 16

DDx of spastic paresis (Elso Heel)

Answer 16

• upward fixation of the patella
• tarsitis
• differentiate from spastic syndrome

Question 17

Tx of spastic paresis (Elso Heel)

Answer 17

• not advised (heritable condition)

- can do tenotomy of gastrocs or complete tibial neurectomy

Question 18

Stringhalt

Answer 18

• sudden exaggerated flexion of either one or both hocks, with feet held high before quick placement back on the ground
• horse: most easily seen at the walk or trot
• is a SPASMOTIC contraction of the lateral extensor tendons of the hind legs

Question 19

4 forms of stringhalt (and causes)

Answer 19

1) Australian stringhalt (cause: flatweed)
2) Pseudostringhalt (cause: a painful condition in the affected leg)
3) Unilateral stringhalt (cause unknown, relieved by section of lateral extensor tendon)
4) Bilateral stringhalt (cause: abnormal thalamus)

Question 20

Normal presentation of calf fetus

Answer 20

(Longitudinal) anterior presentation (diving out)

Longitudinal) posterior presentation (feet first

Question 21

Relationship of the dorsum of the fetus in longitudinal, or the head in transverse presentation

Answer 21

Dorso-sacral (normal)
Dorso-pubic (upside down)
Dorso-left ileal (torsed to the left)
Dorso-right ileal (torsed to the right)

*position of dorsum of the fetus comes first, position of pelvis comes second

Question 22

Posture

Answer 22

The relationship of the fetal extremities (head, neck, or limbs) to its own body
-may be flexed, extended, or head turned back to one side

Question 23

The anterior branch of the ischiadic nerve

Answer 23

Peroneal nerve

Question 24

Caudal branch of the ischiadic nerve

Answer 24

Tibial nerve

Question 25

Dystocia-related nerve injury

Answer 25

- ischiadic (sciatic) nerve paralysis - peroneal nerve paralysis - tibial nerve paralysis - obturator nerve

Question 26

Peroneal nerve paralysis

Answer 26

- paralysis of the muscles flexing the hock and extending the digits - peroneal nerve passes superficially near the lateral femoral condyle and the head of the fibula - CS: digit is knuckled over onto the dorsum of the pastern and fetlock joint, hock appears overextended - Tx: just time; maintain affected animals in areas with good footing - Prognosis: cows with mild damage recover spontaneously

Question 27

Tibial nerve paralysis

Answer 27

- paralysis of the extensors of the hock and flexors of the digits - assoc. with dystocia and injections in the caudo-lateral stifle area - tx: time, maintain in area with good footing - Prognosis: most cases recover spontaneously

Question 28

Calving Paralysis Syndrome

Answer 28

-combo of lesions involving the lumbar root of L6 which contributes to both the ischiadic and obturator nerves

Question 29

What does obturator nerve innervate?

Answer 29

- adductor muscle group (adductor, pectineus, and gracilis muscles) - vulnerable to intrapelvic compression during calving

Question 30

CS of obturator nerve damage

Answer 30

Base-wide stance when ambulatory | -can be permanent

Question 31

Downer Cow Syndrome causes

Answer 31

- trauma - metabolic disease - neurological lesions - neoplasia (lymphoma) - septicemias and toxemias

Question 32

Secondary complications of Downer cow syndrome

Answer 32

Pressure ischemia of muscle tissue - "compartment syndrome"

Question 33

How do milk fever cows usually present?

Answer 33

- alert but can't get up - cool extremities, fever, evidence of off milk - tx: calcium

Question 34

Tx of downer cow syndrome

Answer 34

- avoid secondary m. And nerve damage in downers: tx underlying causes - elevate cows with slings or hoists - float cows - provide additional supportive care PRN

Question 35

Rupture of the gastrocnemius or achilles tendon

Answer 35

- prevents weight bearing on the affected limb - appears similar to tibial n. Paralysis - rare occurence - may occur in animals struggling to rise from recumbent position - no tx - NO knuckling

Question 36

Chars. Of cruciate ligament rupture

Answer 36

- usually traumatic (sudden twisting or overextension) - tibial plateau moves forward relative to femoral condyles during weight bearing - results in grade 4 lameness

Question 37

CS of cruciate ligament rupture

Answer 37

- outward rotation of leg or toe touching when standing - non painful effusion - visible instability during movement and/or audible "clunk" - predisposes to secondary DJD

Question 38

Dx of cruciate ligament rupture

Answer 38

- positive drawer movement - joint effusion - rads

Question 39

What are the cruciate ligaments?

Answer 39

1) anterior cruciate - rupture results in femorotibial instability and subluxation - usually caused by trauma 2) posterior cruciate

Question 40

Radial nerve paralysis origins

Answer 40

- origins of radial nerve: C6, C7, and T1 - vulnerable to injury proximally at the shoulder and distally at the lvl of the musculo-spiral groove of the humerus - can be injured in a tilt table

Question 41

Typical posture of an animal with a spinal lesion

Answer 41

- right rear leg shows evidence of ischiadic/tibial nerve damage - animal is very painful (doesn't stand for long periods in most cases) - very hunched over