Musculoskeletal system in sheep

Question 1

Where is most lameness in sheep

Answer 1

In the foot

Question 2

What are some insidious vs sudden onset diseases that cause lameness in sheep

Answer 2

-Insidious: white line lesions, septic arthritis, osteochondrosis, toe fibroma
-Sudden: fractures, foot abscess, foot rot, CODD, FMD, Blue tongue, acute laminitis

Question 3

What is a useful indicator of infectious arthritis of the joints in sheep

Answer 3

Unilateral enlargement of the prescapular lymph node

Question 4

What are some ancillary diagnostics to use in sheep lameness

Answer 4

-CK, GPX
-Arthocentesis
-Radiographs, US

Question 5

What can lameness be secondary to in sheep

Answer 5

-Endocarditis (shifting lameness, rare)
-E. Rhusiopathiae (post-dipping lameness)

Question 6

What are some common causes of upper limb lameness in sheep

Answer 6

-Suppurative polyarthritis (joint ill) caused by E. coli or strep dysgalactiae
-Erysipelothrix polyarthritis
-Ticky pyemia
-Osteochondrosis dissecans

Question 7

How do you treat suppurative polyarthritis in sheep

Answer 7

-High dose penicillin for 5 days

Question 8

How does e. Rhusiopathiae get into the joint in lambs

Answer 8

-Docking, castration

Question 9

What is the signalment for osteochondrosis in the ram/sheep

Answer 9

-intermittent lameness, not obvious at rest or exercise but apparent at walk, pain on palpation

Question 10

What is “shelly hoof” in sheep

Answer 10

-White line disease: very common lesion (but not always a cause of lameness)

Question 11

What are the treatment options for foot abscess in sheep

Answer 11

-Nonresponsive to antibiotics
-Amputation (with skin flap wrapped around wound)
-Cull if fistulated (been there too long)

Question 12

What causes toe fibromas in sheep

Answer 12

-Sequel to over zealous foot paring, amputation or cull

Question 13

What is the causative agent for IDD in sheep and what is the topical treatment

Answer 13

-D. Nodosus + Fusobacterium necrophorum
-Treat: zinc sulphate foot bath 10%

Question 14

What are the causative agents of classical footrot and what does it cause in sheep

Answer 14

-D. Nodosus and f necrophorum
-Causes separation of the horn from the Cornish leading to necrosis and non-weight bearing lameness

Question 15

How is footrot treated in shape

Answer 15

-Parenteral and topical antibiotics or foot trimming an topical antibiotics

Question 16

Where does CODD initially affect and how doe it progress

Answer 16

-Intial lesion at the coronary band, ulceration and separation of horn from band, can get complete hoof detachment

Question 17

What is the treatment for CODD

Answer 17

-2 doses of 10 mg/kg long acting amoxicillin IM