J. Kofler

Arthrosonography—The use of diagnostic ultrasound in septic and traumatic arthritis in cattle—A retrospective study of 25 patients

The case records, clinical, radiographic, ultrasonographic and arthrocentesis findings from 25 cattle with septic or traumatic arthritis were reviewed. The total of 30 joints involved were: articulatio cubiti (elbow joint)-1, articulatio carpi (carpal joint)-10; articulatio genus (stifle joint)-4, articulatio tarsocruralis (tarsocrural joint)-8; articulatio metacarpo-/metatarsophalangea (metacarpo-/metatarsophalangeal joint -7. Ultrasonographic investigation was performed using 7.5 MHz linear and 5 MHz sector transducers. In eight cattle, a concurrent infection of periarticular tendon sheaths or hygroma was diagnosed. The distension of the joint cavities could be imaged in all cases. Assessing echogenicity, acoustic enhancement, ultrasonographic character of the exudate (liquid or clotted) and findings revealed by aspiration, arthrotomy or at necropsy, the synovial effusion was classified as: serous, fibrinous or fibrino-purulent. Diagnostic ultrasound provided a comprehensive preoperative diagnosis in septic and traumatic arthritis by imaging the accurate localization of soft-tissue swelling and the extent and consistency of joint effusion.

Advances in surgical treatment of septic arthritis of the distal interphalangeal joint in cattle: A review

This review describes the indications for surgical treatment of distal interphalangeal joint (DIJ) infection in cattle and presents an overview of former surgical methods that have been modified for current use, including arthrotomy, resection of the distal sesamoid bone, resection of the DIJ and digital amputation. The post-operative life span, reasons for culling, pros and cons of claw-preserving techniques versus digital amputation, and pain management in general are also discussed. It would appear that severe claw diseases that result in septic arthritis of the DIJ do not necessarily lead to a reduced life span if cows are adequately treated and thorough aftercare is provided.

Diagnostic Imaging in Bovine Orthopedics

Although a radiographic unit is not standard equipment for bovine practitioners in hospital or field situations, ultrasound machines with 7.5-MHz linear transducers have been used in bovine reproduction for many years, and are eminently suitable for evaluation of orthopedic disorders. The goal of this article is to encourage veterinarians to use radiology and ultrasonography for the evaluation of bovine orthopedic disorders. These diagnostic imaging techniques improve the likelihood of a definitive diagnosis in every bovine patient but especially in highly valuable cattle, whose owners demand increasingly more diagnostic and surgical interventions that require high-level specialized techniques.

Ultrasonography as a diagnostic aid in bovine musculoskeletal disorders.

In the last 15 years, ultrasonography of the bovine musculoskeletal system has become an established diagnostic method used routinely in many veterinary teaching hospitals worldwide. Ultrasonography is ideal for the evaluation of musculoskeletal disorders because they are often associated with extensive soft tissue swelling and inflammatory exudation. The goal of this article is to encourage veterinarians to use ultrasonography for the evaluation of bovine orthopedic disorders. Not only does ultrasonography improve the likelihood of a definitive diagnosis, added use of the machine helps recoup expenses.

Ultrasonographic imaging of pathology of the digital flexor tendon sheath in cattle

The clinical, radiographic, ultrasonographic and exploratory centesis findings in 33 cattle suffering from a septic tenosynovitis of the digital flexor tendon sheath are described. Forty-one digital flexor tendon sheaths were affected: 13 of the cattle had a unilateral and eight had a bilateral septic tenosynovitis, and in the other 12 cattle with unilateral tenosynovitis one or more of the digital joints were also involved. The distended compartments of the digital flexor tendon sheath and the affected digital joint recesses could be determined accurately by ultrasonography. Depending on the type of inflammation (serous, fibrinous or purulent) the compartments and recesses were filled with anechoic, heterogeneous hypoechoic or echogenic inflammatory content. Flow-phenomena could be observed when there were effusions of liquid into the synovial cavities. Ultrasonography provided accurate preoperative details of the pathological changes to the affected tendon sheaths and the adjoining digital joints. The characteristic ultrasonographic features of septic tenosynovitis of the digital flexor tendon sheath are described.

Ultrasonographic examination of the carpal region in cattle - normal appearance.

The carpal region was examined ultrasonographically in 18 healthy cattle (14 cows, 4 bull calves) and five bovine cadavers in order to determine the normal appearance of the carpal soft tissues using 7.5 MHz linear transducers. The course of the echogenic flexor and extensor tendons over the carpus and the joint spaces interposed between the articular bone surfaces were successfully imaged in all carpi. The palmar vessels were easily visualized in live animals. The lumina of carpal tendon sheaths and the boundaries of the carpal joint pouches could not be defined. Small anechoic fluid filled areas were visualized only at the level of the joint spaces. After experimental filling, the distended synovial cavities were imaged as well demarcated anechoic areas. The cross-sectional diameters of the extensor tendons, width of the palmar joint pouches and intraluminal diameters of the palmar vessels were measured. The results presented serve as reference data for ultrasonographic investigation of disorders of the bovine carpus.

Prevalence of digital dermatitis in first lactation cows assessed at breeding cattle auctions.

The prevalence of digital dermatitis (DD) in first lactation cows (FLCs) presented at 10 breeding cattle auctions was determined in a single auction centre in Austria over a period of 14 months. At each auction, FLCs were selected randomly for claw examination from the monthly auction catalogue. After obtaining owner consent, the hindclaws were examined in a walk-in crush. The type of lesion (M1-M4) and the diameter of DD lesions together with claw horn lesions and the trimming status of the claws were evaluated. From a total of 1110 FLCs registered for the ten auctions, 399 (36%) were randomly chosen for examination and 199 FLCs (17.9%) could be defined. In 63 cows (15.7%), the owners refused consent. A total of 24 FLCs were found to have DD lesions on one or both hindlimbs, resulting in a DD prevalence of 12.1%. The size of lesions ranged from 0.5-3 cm in diameter. No influence of environmental factors (such as season or housing) on the prevalence of DD could be found. In 30/199 (15.1%) of FLCs examined, claw horn lesions such as double sole, white line disease and sole ulcer were observed, but both claw horn and DD lesions were seen in only three cows. Potential buyers at auctions should be aware of both conditions, as the 12.1% prevalence of DD and the 15.1% prevalence of claw horn lesions in FLCs are considerable. Critical evaluation of claw health and DD is essential when purchasing breeding cattle.

Computerised claw trimming database programs as the basis for monitoring hoof health in dairy herds.

Regular documentation and recording of udder health, reproduction and metabolic status are common practices on dairy farms. However, recording of claw health is less commonly undertaken. Computerised claw trimming documentation and analysis programs have been developed in Germany, Denmark, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, Spain, United States, and Austria. Such programs enable automatic analysis of recorded data including the presence/absence of claw lesions, their severity, and exact location (lateral, medial, fore and hind claws, interdigital or in predetermined claw zones) as well as the overall incidence and prevalence of lameness. Analysis of such data, particularly of numerical values, allows comparisons to be made between consecutive visits within one herd as well as between herds. Additionally, computerised programs can include interfaces that link to other herd health management programs or to data available from national breeding associations. Greater use of computerised claw trimming database programs would provide a valuable basis for monitoring and improving claw health and lameness in dairy herds.

Application of real-time ultrasonography for the detection of tarsal vein thrombosis in cattle

The clinical and ultrasonographic features of the thrombosis of three tarsal veins in a six-year-old dairy cow are described. Thrombosis and metastatic abscessation developed on the left tarsus six days after the amputation of the lateral claw of the left hindlimb. Originally, the cow suffered from a severe purulent arthritis of the distal interphalangeal joint and a retroarticular abscess, caused by interdigital necrobacillosis. By means of real-time ultrasonography, using a 7.5 MHz transducer, a marked subcutaneous oedema, a subcutaneous abscess and a thrombosis of the ramus cranialis and ramus caudalis of the vena saphena lateralis reaching the confluence into the vena saphena lateralis and a thrombosis of the ramus caudalis of the vena saphena medialis could be identified. The thrombosed veins were not compressible, were oval and had an increased diameter of up to 9 x 12 mm. Intraluminal masses were visualised as hypoechoic structures and the veins distal to the thrombosis were distended up to 10 x 13 mm. The differential diagnosis and pathogenesis of the thrombosis and the abscessation are discussed, and the clinical course and the sonographic observations of the thrombosis during a six week period are described.

A simple surgical treatment for bovine digital dermatitis-associated white line lesions and sole ulcers

Non-healing white line disease (nhWLD) and sole ulcers (nhSU) are seen increasingly in herds endemically affected with bovine digital dermatitis (BDD). In 35 cows with 42 nhWLD or nhSU lesions, the healing process was monitored for up to 28 or 38 days following extensive debridement of loose horn and infected corium under regional anaesthesia, and topical application of tetracycline spray with bandaging. By 28 days, 27/42 (64%) nhWLD and nhSU were completely covered by a new horn layer and this increased to 30/42 (71%) that had healed by 38 days. Lesion sizes on day 0 correlated with clinical healing within the study period. In view of this satisfying therapeutic result, the terms nhWLD and nhSU are proposed for BDD-associated white line disease (BDD-WLD) and BDD-associated sole ulcers (BDD-SU), respectively.