Evelyne Muggli

Length asymmetry of the bovine digits.

The lengths of the digital bones of the fore- and hind-limbs obtained post mortem from 40 cattle of different ages were measured using digital radiographs. The lengths of the individual digital bones and the overall length of the digit were determined using computer software. The lateral metacarpal/metatarsal condyle, and lateral P1 and P2 were significantly longer than their medial counterparts, whereas P3 of the medial digit was longer than its lateral partner. Measured from the cannon bone epiphysis to the tip of the pedal bone, the mean increased length of the lateral digit was 0.8 mm in the fore- and 1.5 mm in the hind-limb. When the lengths of the digital bones were summed, the mean length of the lateral digit was 1.8 mm longer in the fore-limb and 2.1 mm longer in the hind-limb. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the lengths of the paired digits differ in cattle. The majority of cattle have longer lateral digits in the fore- and hind-limbs. This asymmetry might explain why the lateral hind-limb claws are predisposed to sole ulcers on hard surfaces. In the hind-limbs, the impact is transferred from the pelvis directly to the longer lateral digit. In the fore-limb claws, the tenomuscular attachment to the trunk may be involved in a more even weight distribution and in a shift of weight to the medial claw.

Even-toed but uneven in length: the digits of artiodactyls.

In captive ruminants housed in small enclosures, hypertrophy of the outer hooves of the hindlimbs is often observed. We hypothesised that the underlying cause is overload attributable to an asymmetry of the digits, especially with respect to their length. To test this hypothesis, the bones of the digits of four species of artiodactyls, which included 11 wild chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra), 11 captive fallow deer (Dama dama), 11 captive bison (Bison bison) and 11 European moose (Alces alces; 9 wild, 2 captive), were radiographed post mortem and measured using a computer programme. In addition, the dimensions of the outer and inner hooves were measured directly with a caliper. The mean lengths of the epiphysis of the fourth metacarpal/metatarsal bone and the first and second phalanges of the fourth digit were greater than that of the third digit, whereas the third phalanx of the third digit had a greater mean length. The mean total length of the fourth digit of the forelimbs was greater than that of the third digit in 73-95% of specimens, depending on species. In the hindlimbs, the fourth digit was longer in 91-100% of the specimens. The hooves of the fourth digit were significantly broader than the hooves of the third digit, whereas the inner hooves of the third digits had a greater toe length than those of the fourth digit. The paired digits of artiodactyls are uneven in length, which suggests a different function during stance and weight bearing. It is conceivable that this asymmetry is the result of selection processes that favoured locomotion on soft ground.

Clinical findings and treatment in cattle with caecal dilatation

BackgroundThis retrospective study describes the clinical and laboratory findings, treatment and outcome of 461 cattle with caecal dilatation.ResultsThe general condition and demeanor were abnormal in 93.1% of cases, and 32.1% of the patients had colic. Ruminal motility was reduced or absent in 78.3% of cattle. In 82.6% of cases, swinging and/or percussion auscultation were positive on the right side, and 82.4% had little or no faeces in the rectum. Caecal dilatation could be diagnosed via rectal palpation in 405 (88.0%) cattle. There was caudal displacement of the dilated caecum in 291 patients, torsion around the longitudinal axis in 20 and retroflexion in 94. The most important laboratory finding was hypocalcaemia, which occurred in 85.1% of cases. Of the 461 cattle, 122 (26.5%) initially received conservative therapy (intravenous fluids, neostigmine, calcium borogluconate) and 329 (71.4%) underwent surgical treatment. Ten patients were slaughtered or euthanased after the initial physical examination. Of the 122 cattle that received conservative treatment, 42 did not respond after one to two days of therapy and required surgical treatment. The final number of cattle that were operated was 371 (80.5%). Because of a grave prognosis, 24 cases were euthanased or slaughtered intraoperatively. Another 24 cattle did not respond to one or more operations and were euthanased or slaughtered. Of the 461 patients, 403 (87.4%) responded to either conservative or surgical treatment and were cured, and 58 were euthanased or slaughtered.ConclusionsCaecal dilatation can usually be diagnosed based on clinical findings and treated conservatively or surgically. Swinging and percussion auscultation as well as rectal examination are important diagnostic tools. Conservative treatment is not rewarding in cattle considered surgical candidates with suspected caecal torsion or retroflexion and surgery should not be delayed in these patients.

Zystoskopie bei einem Rind mit Urachus persistens-Ruptur

Die Arbeit beschreibt die klinischen, sonographischen und zystoskopischen Befunde sowie die Therapie bei einem 2-jahrigen, 7 Monate trachtigen Braunviehrind mit Ruptur des Urachus persistens. Das Leitsymptom war ein birnformiges Abdomen bei stark gestortem Allgemeinbefinden. Die Blutuntersuchung ergab eine hochgradige Azotamie. Bei der Ultraschalluntersuchung wurde ein Aszites festgestellt, welcher aufgrund der massiv erhohten Kreatininkonzentration im Punktat als Uroperitoneum klassiert wurde. Bei der Zystoskopie konnte das Endoskop uber die Harnblase in einen persistierenden Urachus eingefuhrt werden. Aufgrund samtlicher Befunde wurde die Diagnose Uroperitoneum infolge Ruptur eines Urachus persistens gestellt. Als Therapie wurde eine Laparotomie in der linken Flanke mit doppelter Ligation des Urachus durchgefuhrt. Innerhalb von wenigen Tagen normalisierte sich der Zustand des Rindes. Es hat inzwischen normal gekalbt und erfreut sich bester Gesundheit This case report describes the clinical, ultrasonographic and cystoscopic findings and treatment in a two-year-old Swiss Braunvieh heifer with rupture of a patent urachus. The lead signs in the seven-month-pregnant heifer were markedly abnormal general condition and demeanour and a pear-shaped abdomen. The heifer had severe azotaemia, and abdominal ultrasonography revealed ascites, which was diagnosed as uroperitoneum based on an elevated creatinine level in the fluid. A patent urachus was identified during cystoscopy; the endoscope could be advanced beyond the apex of the urinary bladder into the urachus. Based on all the findings, a diagnosis of uroperitoneum attributable to rupture of a patent urachus was made. The urachus was ligated twice via a left-flank laparotomy. The general condition normalised within a few days of surgery, and the patient calved normally and was in good health at follow-up evaluation.

Internal herniation of the small and large intestines in 18 cattle.

Internal intestinal hernia was diagnosed during laparotomy in 18 cattle with a tentative diagnosis of ileus; the diagnosis was made during a second laparotomy in two cases. In 14 cattle, the hernial orifice was in the visceral layer of the greater omentum and the intestines had herniated into the caudal recess of the omental bursa. In two animals both the visceral and parietal layers had an opening; in one, the orifice was in the mesoduodenum, and in the other in the mesojejunum. The length of the hernial orifice ranged from 3 to >25 cm and the length of the herniated intestine ranged from 30 cm to the entire length of the small and large intestines. The omental rents were located near the caudal flexure of the duodenum (n=9), ventrally near the rumen (n=6) or in both of these locations (n=1). Seven cattle were euthanased intraoperatively because of incarceration of the jejunum; three of these had ruptured intestines and localised peritonitis; another animal was euthanased following a second laparotomy because of peritonitis. Ten animals, two of which underwent jejunal resection-anastomosis, recovered and were discharged. Nine of these survived a 6-month-postoperative period (mean ± SD: 27 ± 18 months) and remained free of colic, and one was slaughtered 3 months postoperatively because of rupture of the mammary suspensory ligament.

Diagnosis and treatment of lumbosacral discospondylitis in a calf

BackgroundThe aim of this case report was to describe the clinical findings, treatment and outcome of lumbosacral discospondylitis in a calf.Case PresentationA 5.5-month-old calf was presented with difficulty in rising, a stiff and slightly ataxic gait in the hind limbs and a shortened stride. The lumbosacral region was severely painful on palpation.Radiographic examination confirmed lumbosacral discospondylitis. Medical treatment with stall rest was instituted over six weeks. Radiographic and ultrasonographic follow-up examinations showed lysis of the endplates initially, then collapse of the intervertebral space at the lumbosacral junction and progressive sclerosis in the periphery of the lytic zones. Four weeks after institution of treatment, the calf could rise normally and the general condition gradually had returned to normal. The calf was discharged after 6 weeks and was sound at 3.5 months clinical and radiographic follow up examination. Thereafter, it was kept on alpine pastures without problems and was pregnant 1 year after the last examination.ConclusionsThis report shows that recovery from lumbosacral discospondylitis is possible in heifers, provided that treatment is started before major neurologic deficits have developed and is continued for an extended period of time.

Radiographic Measurement of Hindlimb Digit Length in Standing Heifers.

The digital skeleton of the hindlimbs was evaluated radiographically in 27 standing Brown Swiss heifers. The lateral digital skeleton was significantly longer than its medial counterpart on both a hard (wooden block) and a softer (wooden block covered with a thin rubber mat) surface. There were no significant differences between lengths measured on the hard and the soft surface. The difference between the length of the lateral and medial digits originated at the level of the condyles and increased with P1 and P2. It was partially compensated by a higher third phalanx (P3) in the medial digit, but this did not offset the overall length difference. The findings of this study confirmed that the length asymmetry of the paired digits of cattle documented previously in post‐mortem specimens is also present in living cattle. Further investigation is required to determine the clinical relevance of the length asymmetry of the digital skeleton in cattle.

Clinical findings and treatment in 63 cows with haemorrhagic bowel syndrome

The clinical, haematological and biochemical findings, treatment and outcome of 63 cows with haemorrhagic bowel syndrome are described. The general condition and demeanor were moderately to severely abnormal in all the cows. Signs of colic occurred in 27 cows, decreased rectal temperature in 46 and tachycardia in 44. With the exception of one cow, intestinal motility was decreased or absent. Transrectal palpation revealed dilatation of the rumen in 47 cows and dilatation of the small intestine in 18. Faecal output was markedly reduced or absent, and the faeces were dark brown to black and contained blood. Nine cows were euthanized immediately after physical examination. Conservative medical therapy was instituted in two cows; however, both were euthanized a few days later because of deterioration in condition. Exploratory right flank laparotomy was carried out in 52 cows. Of these, 22 were euthanized intraoperatively because of severe lesions. In 27 cows, intestinal massage to reduce the size of blood clots was carried out; 11 were euthanized several days postoperatively because of deterioration in condition. In three other cows, intestinal resection was carried out and all survived. Of the 63 cows, 19 (30.2%) survived and were healthy at the time of discharge from the clinic.

Hämorrhagien bei 3 Kälbern infolge Thrombozytopenie

In der vorliegenden Arbeit werden 3 Kalber mit hochgradiger Thrombozytopenie beschrieben. Alle Kalber wiesen Blutungen und eine hochgradige Thrombozytopenie mit 1000 bis 5000 Thrombozyten/μl Blut auf. Alle Kalber wurden mit Vollblut, Dexamethason und weiteren Medikamenten behandelt und sprachen auf diese Therapie gut an. Ein Kalb, das sich bei der Untersuchung auf BVD-Virus als persistent viramisch erwiesen hatte, wurde euthanasiert, obschon es auf die initiale Therapie gut angesprochen hatte. Die anderen beiden Kalber wurden, nachdem sich die Thrombozytenzahlen normalisiert hatten und die Blutungen verschwanden, gesund nach Hause entlassen.

Osteomyelitis of the hyoid bones in two calves.

Two calves were referred because of ptyalism and difficulty opening the mouth (Calf 1) and for elective umbilical hernia surgery under inhalation anaesthesia (Calf 2). Additional clinical signs were increased breath sounds and swelling in the region of the mandibular angle in Calf 1. Ultrasonography and endoscopy revealed oral inflammation and abscessation in the area of the base of the tongue in both calves. Infection of the hyoid apparatus was suspected based on ultrasonographic findings and confirmed by means of computed tomography. In Calf 1, there was no response to treatment with systemic antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and local lavage, and Calf 2 was not treated. Both calves were euthanized because of a poor prognosis and the diagnoses confirmed during postmortem examination. In Calf 1, the abscess was associated with complete destruction of the left epihyoid bone and partial destruction of the left stylohyoid and ceratohyoid bones. In Calf 2, the abscess was located at the distal end of the right stylohyoid bone near the epihyoid bone. Stomatitis or laryngeal and pharyngeal abscessation caused by sharp feed particles are common in cattle and infection of the hyoid apparatus should be included in the differential diagnosis.