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Lameness in Cattle: A Survey of 102 Association American© Copyright Bovine of Practitioners; open access distribution. Cases Including History, Clinical and Radiographic Findings, Prognosis and Treatment G. H. Nesbitt, D.V.M., H. E. Amstutz, D.V.M., and R. E. Lewis, D.V.M., M.S. Department of Veterinary Clinics School of Veterinary Science and Medicine Purdue University Lafayette, Indiana 47905 Introduction ty of adequate radiographic equipment. Literature on Recent surveys have drawn attention to the signifi­ radiographic interpretation in the bovine has been cant incidence of limb problems in cattle. However, limited. However, recent references concerning nor­ the reviews of the many conditions involving bovine mal and pathological findings are useful to the prac­ lameness that have emphasized diagnosis and treat­ titioner (2,3,7,17). The bovine practitioner will be ment based on clinical and radiographical ex­ asked to make more use of radiography as the aminations are limited. The objective of this study livestock producers become more aware of the was to summarize the clinical signs, radiographic fin­ economic loss associated with lameness (7). dings, treatment and prognosis given in some com­ Materials and Methods mon cattle lamenesses. The sample of cases consisted of 102 bovine Literature Review lameness cases which were radiographed in the Pur­ The basic causes of cattle lamenesses of greatest due University Veterinary Clinic between January 1, economic importance have been reported to be: 1. 1965, and December 31, 1967. These represented 30% defects in conformation, 2. congenital anomalies, 3. of all cattle admitted with limb problems. improper foot management, 4. vegetative interdigital All case records were reviewed, noting the breed, dermatitis, 5. ulceration of the sole, 6. fractures and sex, age, weight, duration of illness, clinical signs, dislocations, 7. injuries at parturition, and 8. infec­ clinical pathology data, treatment and post-mortem tious pododermatitis (1). reports. The radiographs from each case were careful­ Several surveys have shown the incidence of bovine ly reviewed and the radiographical findings noted. On lameness to be variable, ranging from 4% to 14% of the basis of these criteria, a primary diagnosis of the certain cattle populations (7,10,11,16). The incidence principal cause of lameness was made; (if there were of specific lameness problems such as foot involve­ associated or non-associated lesions, secondary ment, osteoarthritis of the hip and septic arthritis of diagnoses were also determined). The following the hock have been reported (11,16). Etiology, criteria were used for differentiating the site and type clinical symptoms and radiographical lesions of sep­ of involvement of bones and joints: tic arthritis have been well described (3,9,11,12,14) as 1. If the joint was involved, any changes on the adja­ has the spastic paresis syndrome in calves (6). cent long bones with the exception of fractures, Degenerative joint disease has received attention by were considered secondary. several workers (4,5,8,15). 2. A joint lesion was considered septic if there was a The use of radiography in the diagnosis of bovine history or signs of a suppurative process in the sur­ limb problems has been limited by such factors as the rounding area. difficulty in transporting cattle, anatomical problems 3. A primary diagnosis of degenerative joint disease requiring special techniques, restraint and availabili- * (osteoarthritis) was made if there was no history or clinical evidence of an active suppurative condi­ *Dr. Nesbitt was formerly a Purdue Fellow in Latin America and tion associated with observed radiographic presently is a practitioner, McMinnville Veterinary Hospital P.C., 1900 N. 99 W., McMinnville, Oregon 97128. Dr. Lewis is now alterations of the articular surface. Radiologist, Department of Medicine and Surgery, College of 4. A diagnosis of a fracture or dislocation was made Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia only on the basis of radiographic evidence. 30601. 5. Measurements made on the radiographs of the 39 metacarpal bones were used to establish a diagnosis of achondroplasia (13). AmericanAssociation© Copyright ofBovine Practitioners; open access distribution. Follow-up histories were obtained on 86 of the cases (84%); 17 animals necropsied at the university and 69 animals that were discharged. Results A. General Considerations: Of the 102 animals, there were 60 (58.8%) males and 42 (41.2%) females. The forelimbs were affected in 31 (30.4%) of the cases while in 67 (65.7%) the hindlimbs were found to be involved. Both fore and hindlimb involvement was observed in four animals (3.9%). The lesion was confined to the fetlock joint or digits in 35 animals (34.3%); the metatarsal, metacarpal, carpus or tarsus in 28 animals (27.4%); and the remaining parts of the limbs, including the pelvis in 31 cases (30.4%). In eight animals (7.9%), general leg involvement was observed. Radiographic findings confirmed the diagnosis in 87 cases (85.3%). The age distribution of the animals is presented in Table 1. Table 1 Figure 1. A. P. radiograph of right rear foot. Ten-year-old, female, Age Distribution Hereford with extreme lameness of right rear leg present for ten weeks. Radiographically, there is severe lysis of bone involving the articular surfaces of the distal interphalangeal joint of the 4th Years Number of Animals digit. There is marked periosteal reaction of all three phalanges of the 4th digit, with some adjacent soft tissue mineralization. Less than 1 25 Diagnosis: Chronic septic arthritis, distal interphalangeal joint. 1-2 29 3-5 25 The results of 14 hemograms revealed nine with Over 5 23 leucocytosis with neutrophillymphocyte reversal; anemia was observed in two cases. Thirteen of 30 The primary diagnoses were divided into: Septic cases were cultured resulting in positive arthritis, 30 cases (29.5%), fractures, 19 (18.6%), microbiological isolations in 10 cases. The bacteria degenerative joint disease, 19 (18.6%), and others 34 recovered included Corynebacterium spp. 6, Strep­ (33.3%). Each of these areas will be discussed. tococcus spp. 2, E. coli 3, Proteus spp. 2. In three B. Septic Arthritis: cases two different bacterial species were isolated In animals with septic arthritis the clinical history from the same lesion. and signs were variable depending on the severity and The 19 cases involving the interphalangeal joints chronicity of the infection. A history of trauma or of are summarized in Table 2. Twelve of these cases previous infection of the foot was frequent. No direct were treated conservatively, usually with a parenteral correlation was evident between the duration of ill­ antibiotic, and curettement of the involved area with ness and the severity of either the clinical signs or the the establishment of drainage. In addition a MgSCh radiographic lesion at presentation. In the majority of foot bath was commonly used. Five of the 12 made cases the animals were reluctant to bear weight on complete recoveries. The seven animals which did not the affected leg, had swollen and painful joints, and respond to the conservative treatment were re­ had signs of a septic process such as a purulent evaluated and the claws were amputated from five material draining from the area or the presence of an animals, while in two cases because of the severity of abscess. In advanced cases, general depression and the lesion amputation was not advised. In the seven weight loss were discernible and these were often other cases amputation was the treatment of choice. associated with muscle atrophy and recumbency. All of the animals with follow-up histories (11) are in The radiographic findings varied according to the normal service. Four medial and two lateral front joint involved and the degree of involvement. New claws and two medial and seven lateral rear claws bone proliferation on the margins of the joint was the were amputated. Both lateral rear claws were remov­ most characteristic abnormality. There was often loss ed from one animal. Two bulls with rear claw am­ of detail in the joint (Fig. 1), with decreased joint putations, weighing 1300 and 2200 pounds respective­ space that associated with erosion of cartilage. In­ ly, compensated for the decreased weight bearing sur­ creased joint space was also present. However, this face by developing a wider plantar surface on the was invariably associated with an acute process (Fig. remaining claw. Of the two bulls with front claw am­ 2). In two cases an associated dislocation of the distal putation, one currently evidences some lameness on interphalangeal joint was observed (Fig. 3). frozen ground while the other has no signs of 40 __ Hunt No. 32024 albon sulfadirnethoxine antibacterial soluble powder * *i/cworu«Krrs « e ru«*ryc__ **■* *«nttnoi*'S1RAttOfi' ' “ — •-----..... t t s a S ? - . ' w' « i »« £i*!ea» «'»*?£?* »a«s , '^'XrtruiBoo,.,r "* *« **sr£". •3t,s* «.«t m rS^r~ ^JL Two fast solutions for shipping fever complex, foot rot, bacterial pneumonia and calf diphtheria. ALBON preparation of sulfadirnethoxine I in two convenient forms to treat dairy calves, dairy heifers and beef *%s»J\ I1 cattle through their drinking water for the indications listed above. sr %mi Drinking Water Antibacterial Solution Soluble Powder ALBON DWS saves mixing time and Each foil packet contains 3.34 oz. trouble. One gallon of ALBON Drinking (94.6 gm.) of sulfadirnethoxine. When Water Solution will medicate thirty- used according to directions, the two 600-lb animals initially or sixty-four contents of a packet in drinking water 600-lb animals on maintenance will treat six 600-lb animals initially dosage. or twelve 600-lb animals on mainte­ nance dosage. ALBON Soluble Powder and Drinking Water Solution will also treat broilers and replacement chickens for coccidiosis, fowl cholera and infectious coryza; and meat-producing turkeys for coccidiosis and fowl cholera. Dispense or use these products to check outbreaks fast and leave a few packets or gallons for your clients to use as follow-up therapy.

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