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Y4 Farm - Lameness > Lameness in calves > Flashcards

Lameness in calves Flashcards

1
Q

Arthritis definition

A
  • inflammation of joints (synovial membrane and articular surfaces)
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2
Q

Septic arthritis definition

A
  • arthritis due to infection
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3
Q

Polyarthritis definition

A
  • multiple joint affected
  • septic or immune-mediated
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4
Q

Septic arthritis aetiopathogenesis in calves <3w old

A
  • FPT is primary risk factor
    -> omphalophlebitis (mixed bacteria) or septicaemia (Gram-negatives)
    -> circulating bacteraemia
    -> bacteria localise on articular surfaces
  • polyarthritis is common
  • calves might also show other CS related to sepsis e.g. meningitis, uveitis, enteritis
  • prognosis = guarded to poor
  • multiple joints = poorer prognosis
  • FPT = poorer prognosis
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5
Q

Septic arthritis aetiology calves >3w old

A
  • may be subsequent to penetrating wounds (T.pyogenes - opportunistic bacteria seen in lots of cattle infections)
  • Mycoplasma bovis: typically BRD also present +/- otitis media/interna (head tilt), often stifles affected
  • circulating bacteraemia: intestinal origin e.g. Salmonella spp, respiratory origin e.g. H.somni, M.bovis
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6
Q

Septic arthritis: diagnosis

A
  • clinical exam and history
  • arthrocentesis: clip & scrub area, large gauge needle (16G or 18G), sedate if needed, culture sample
  • imaging: rarely done as rarely adds info on top of CE
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7
Q

Septic arthritis presenting signs

A
  • pain -> lameness (NWB if 1 leg affected)
  • affected joints painful and hot to touch, more chronic cases might not be
  • joint swelling variable -> pyogenic bacteria = greatest swelling
  • general signs variable present e.g. pyrexia, inappetence, weight loss
  • co-morbidities may be present: omphalophlebitis in young calves, endocarditis in older animals
  • chronic: fibrin development -> will be swollen but less painful and may not be hot, less likely to see general signs
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8
Q

Septic arthritis CE

A
  • acute cases usually pyrexic and dull
  • observe the calf walking: lameness will be present, keen to lie down
  • if recumbent see if calf will stand: will be difficult or maybe not possible
  • examine joints: usually painful, usually reduced RoM -> may be very impaired or ankylosed if chronic
  • hock, stifle and carpus most commonly affected
  • older calves -> often single joint affected
  • young calves -> typically multiple joints
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9
Q

PM finding of a septic arthritis joint

A
  • lots of fibrin
  • synovial fluid very turbid
  • can see frank pus instead of synovial fluid
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10
Q

Arthrocentesis of a septic arthritis joint

A
  • volume: high
  • ease of obtaining fluid: usually easy
  • gross appearance: turbid, yellow, may be purulent, may be more watery/less viscous
  • leukocytes µL: high numbers (4000-8000), predominantly neutrophils (80-90%)
  • protein: high (TP = 3.2-4.5g/dL)
  • microbiology: bacteria (or other pathogens) might be culture or visible on Diff Quid (although not always)
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11
Q

Septic arthritis tx

A
  • analgesia: NSAIDs
  • antibiotics: select based on likely organisms, penicillin/oxytet/TMPS (parenteral, licensed, broad spec, penetrate synovial membrane), long course recommended (3w), intra-articular antibiotics (described but rarely used, no licensed formulation)
  • joint lavage (+ antibiotics + NSAIDs): better results than antibiotics + NSAIDs alone
  • supportive care: feeding, bedding, good nursing
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12
Q

Septic arthritis likely pathogens

A
  • Trueperella pyogenes
  • Fusobacterium necophorum
  • Staphylococcal spp
  • E.coli
  • Salmonella spp
  • Mycoplasma bovis
  • Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae
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13
Q

Trueperella pyogenes causing septic arthritis (presentation, common? antibiotic susceptibility)

A
  • presentation: any age of calves, concurrent omphalophlebitis in calves <3w
  • common? very common, the most common isolate in older calves and adults
  • antibiotic susceptibility: penicillin, amoxicillin, oxygen, TMPS
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14
Q

Fusobacterium necophorum causing septic arthritis (presentation, common? antibiotic susceptibility)

A
  • presentation: any age of calves, concurrent omphalophlebitis in calves <3w, may also see calf diphtheria, faecally spread
  • common? yes, esp if unhygienic feeding practices
  • antibiotic susceptibility: amoxicillin, TMPS, oxytet
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15
Q

Staphylococcal spp causing septic arthritis (presentation, common? antibiotic susceptibility)

A
  • presentation: any age of calves, concurrent omphalophlebitis in calves <3w
  • common? yes
  • antibiotic susceptibility: penicillin, amoxicillin, oxytet, TMPS
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16
Q

E.coli causing septic arthritis (presentation, common? antibiotic susceptibility)

A
  • presentation: calves <3w, concurrent septicaemia
  • common? yes
  • antibiotic susceptibility: amoxicillin, TMPS, oxytet
17
Q

Salmonella spp causing septic arthriti (presentation, common? antibiotic susceptibility)s

A
  • presentation: older calves
  • common? sporadic
  • antibiotic susceptibility: amoxicillin, TMPS, oxytet
18
Q

Mycoplasma bovis causing septic arthritis (presentation, common? antibiotic susceptibility)

A
  • presentation: calves 3-6m, may have concurrent resp dz, may have concurrent otitis media/interna
  • common? yes on some farms, rare on others, may be under diagnosed, seen in beef + dairy
  • antibiotic susceptibility: TMPS, oxytet, NOT penicillins
19
Q

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae causing septic arthritis (presentation, common? antibiotic susceptibility)

A
  • presentation: older calves
  • common? rare (most commonly seen in sheep, pigs & turkeys)
  • antibiotic susceptibility: penicillin, amoxicillin, oxytet, TMPS
20
Q

Joint lavage for septic arthritis

A
  • best results if done early (acute stages) -> too much fibrin when chronic
  • use sterile, isotonic (0.9%) saline or Hartmann’s
  • through and through technique
  • can be done on farm, no special equipment needed
  • surgical prep
  • use LA: deposit 2-5ml procaine sc at sites of needle placement
  • sedate if needed: Xylazine or detomidine
  • place needles on each side of the joint as far apart as possible
  • calves = 16-18G needle
  • adults = 14-16G needle
  • inject lavage solution: large joints (e.g. stifle) at least 3L, small joints at least 250ml
  • giving set tubing can help continuous flushing
  • to express remaining joint fluid add firm pressure pressure with fingers
  • apply light dressing if needed
21
Q

WMD

A
  • white muscle dz
22
Q

WMD aetiology

A
  • vit E/selenium deficiency -> nutritional (aka nutritional muscular atrophy)
  • dams fed diet insufficient in vitE/Se (calves don’t get enough in utero, from colostrum & milk)
  • young, fast growing animals: calves <6m most often affected, has been reported up to 2y, lambs and kids as well as calves
  • often following sudden expectation of exercise: calves reared indoors then turns out at 6-8w
  • but is reported in housed animals
23
Q

WMD clinical signs

A
  • recumbency and difficulty standing: inability to stand for more than a few mins
  • stiff, trembling legs
  • weakness elsewhere e.g. neck
  • may rotate distal hindlimb from hocks if able to walk
  • gluteal, shoulder and dorso-lumbar musculature palpably enlarged and firm
  • other signs related to (striated) muscle affected: intercostal mm = dyspnoea, myocardium = cardiac arrhythmias, tongue mm = inability to suckle
24
Q

WMD diagnosis

A
  • CE & hx: known deficient pastures
  • urinalysis: myoglobin present
  • biochem: elevated creatine kin and aspartate aminotransferase
  • biochem: low selenium or glutathione peroxidase
  • liver biopsy: low selenium and vit E
  • PM: less myoglobin present so muscles look very pale
  • glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px): delayed increase in response to selenium admin (4-6w), can be tested in calves that have been recently treated, lithium heparin (green top) or EDTA (purple top) tube [check with lab], selenium protein, preferred test
  • selenium: only useful for untreated calves, lithium heparin or plain tube
25
Q

WMD tx

A
  • vit E / selenium: single dose usually sufficient but can be repeated after 2-4w if needed, myocardial involvement = poorer tx response
  • NSAIDs as needed
26
Q

WMD prevention

A
  • ensure adequate selenium intake of dams during late pregnancy, selenium -> transplacental and colostral, vit E -> colostral
  • provide supplementation to dams if deficient pastures: long acting (bolus) injections, intraruminal bolus, oral dosing, addition to ration
  • can also supplement calves
27
Q

Vit E/selenium supplementation

A
  • barium selenate: sc depot injection, 9-12m duration
  • Cosecure: sodium selenate: intraruminal bolus, 6-12m duration
  • zinc, cobalt, selemnium & b12: sodium selenate, oral drench, 1-3m duration
  • selenium minerals: added to feed, unreliable due to variations in individual cow feeding
28
Q

Fractures

A
  • most common causes = calving injuries (neonates) and accidents (any age)
  • casts/splints are most common methods of on farm management
  • cattle have excellent healing capability and neonates are quick to heal
29
Q

Types of fractures

A
  • distal metacarpal/metatarsal
  • femoral fractures
  • growth plate fractures
30
Q

Distal metacarpal/metatarsal fracture (cause, fracture type, management, prognosis)

A
  • common cause: excessive traction on rope/chain during calving
  • fracture type: typically closed
  • management: external coaptation (casting), surgical repair
  • prognosis: both methods = excellent if closed (80=90%) but poor if open
31
Q

Femoral fractures (cause, fracture type, management, prognosis)

A
  • common cause: pressure from dam’s pelvis during breech presentation
  • fracture type: closed
  • management: surgical repair, conservative management
  • prognosis: surgical repair = fair to good, conservative management = guarded to fair
32
Q

Growth plate fractures (cause, fracture type, management, prognosis)

A
  • common cause: accidents
  • fracture type: open or closed
  • management: external coaptation if closed, surgical repair or euthanasia if open
  • prognosis: closed with external coaptation = excellent, open with surgical repair/euthanasia = guarded to poor
33
Q

Principles of casts/splints in calves

A
  • best candidates = transverse or short oblique fractures and Salter-Harris type 1 and 2 growth plate fracture
  • x-ray is best to decide ^ but can make decisions based on careful CE
  • in general, the more proximal the fracture the more difficult it will be to immobilise
  • closed fractures only -> examine skin carefully for wounds
  • include the hoof in all casts
34
Q

Salter-Harris classification

A

I = no displacement
II = chip fracture of the metaphysis
III = epiphyseal involvement
IV = both epiphyseal and metaphysical involvement
V = compression fracture

35
Q

Cast application

A
  • use commercially available casting material and cotton woof/soffban for padding
  • lay animal in lateral recumbency with fractured leg uppermost (sedate or GA to avoid fracture reduction)
  • carefully pad bony prominences and place cotton wool between claws
  • cast limb in a neutral position starting at fracture site
    – overlap casting material by 50% each roll
    – apply minimal tension on 1st layer and gradually increase with each layer
    – use 6-8 layers of casting material for calves <150kg
    – include embryotomy wire (in giving set tubing) to aid removal
36
Q

Aftercare

A
  • keep calf in small, well bedded pen for 6-8w
  • calf must be checked daily: signs of pain, signs of wetness or cracks in cast, alterations in gait/weight bearing (should fully weight bear within a few days of casting and continue to do so until cast removed), sudden alterations in limb use -> remove cast and assess
  • replace the cast every 3-4w in neonates to accommodate fast growth
  • remove after 6-8w
37
Q

Soft tissue injuries (age, treatment)

A
  • seen any age
  • treat conservatively: NSAIDs, rest/restricted exercise, deep bedding
38
Q

Congenital deformities

A
  • joint deformities
  • contracted tendons
39
Q

Contracted tendons

A
  • large calves (bend weird in utero and so tendons don’t have space to stretch)
  • flexor tendons
  • mild cases -> exercise and encourage weight bearing
  • more severe cases -> splint or cast
  • oxytet?

Y4 Farm - Lameness (11 decks)

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