Upper limb Flashcards
do most upper limb lamenesses present with swinging or weight bearing lameness?
swinging (they have pain when moving the leg forward)
how will the gait of upper limb lamenesses be altered?
shorter stride length
how does head movement change with weightbearing lameness?
head goes up at point of weightbearing if front leg lameness
head goes down at point of weightbearing if back leg lameness
what stride length will be shortened if they have a weightbearing lameness?
sound legs stride length will be shortened
how can the accessory digits how to determine lameness?
painful foot will be lifted up, so accessory digit will appear higher
why should you attempt to palpate upper limb lameness when animal is walking?
feel for crepitus
how can looking at muscle coverage help with lameness assessment?
disuse can cause atrophy
can also have swellings such as inflammation, haematomas, effusions
(check for asymmetry)
what can radiography be used to assess in lame animals?
bone integrity/position
joint effusions/swelling
soft tissue swelling
what are some possible causes of contracted tendons in calves?
position in-utero
mangenese deficiency
hereditary
(still not sure what causes it)
how can contracted tendons be treated?
manually extend and cast for 2-4 weeks (change after about 10 days due to rapid growth)
splint (metal hook)
tendonectomy
can oxytetracycline be used for contracted tendons in calves?
no - high doses pose a severe risk of toxic nephritis
what is the main consideration for arthrogryposis in calves?
schmallenberg
what can cause gastrocnemius rupture in calves?
rotational forces (getting foot stuck)
sudden weight
trauma
compartment syndrome (downer cows with muscular necrosis)
what is the usual posture of an animal with gastrocnemius rupture?
hock lowered and rotated inwards
what is the posture of an animal with tibial nerve paralysis?
both hocks lowered and hyperfelxian of fetlock
