Sarel R. van Amstel

Manual for treatment and control of lameness in cattle

Chapter 1: An Introduction to Cattle Lameness. Chapter 2: Horn Formation and Growth. Chapter 3: Nutrition and Claw Health. Chapter 4: Biomechanics of Weight (Load) Bearing and Claw Trimming. Chapter 5: Laminitis. Chapter 6: Pain Management. Chapter 7: Upper Leg Lameness. Chapter 8: Infectious Claw Disease. Chatper 9: Cattle Behavior, Cow-Friendly Facilities and Proper Handling. Chapter 10: Footbaths for the Management of Infectious Skin Disorders of the Foot and Hoof Knife Sharpening. Index.

Assessment and Management of Pain Associated with Lameness in Cattle

Lameness impacts the cattle industry in economic losses and welfare considerations. In addition to production deficits, pain and distress associated with lameness have been documented. The evaluation and prevalence of lame cattle is one of the primary factors in third-party welfare audit programs. To improve earlier detection and treatment of lameness, locomotion scoring systems have been developed for routine use by farm employees. Recommendations for pain management typically include the use of a multimodal therapeutic approach. Similarly, in lame cattle, pain can best be alleviated by implementing a multimodal approach including corrective claw trimming and placement of foot blocks combined with additional benefits provided by analgesic compounds.

Clinical Diagnosis of Foot and Leg Lameness in Cattle

The causes of lameness in cattle are multifactorial and involve a combination of housing, management, and environmental factors and a variety of infectious agents. Arriving at a cause can often require concerted efforts. Diagnosis of lameness is often based mainly on clinical observations. A detailed record of those observations with time and among several animals within a herd can provide valuable information toward solving lameness problems. Advances in computer hardware and software help facilitate more detailed data collection and analysis.

Vulvar pythiosis in two captive camels (Camelus dromedarius)

Two camels (Camelus dromedarius), 3- and 4-years-old, respectively, from an eastern Tennessee wildlife farm presented with persistent weight loss and large vulvar masses. An initial biopsy of the vulvar mass of one of the camels performed by a local veterinarian showed eosinophilic dermatitis. An allergic or parasitic dermatitis was suspected. The two camels were treated with one dose of sodium iodide (66 mg/kg, in 1.0 L of normosolR, IV) and ivermectin 1% (200 ug/kg PO). Upon presentation at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Tennessee, additional biopsies of the masses again revealed eosinophilic dermatitis. Microscopic examination of a Gomori methenamine silver (GMS)-stained section prepared from the biopsy of one of the camels revealed the presence of fungal-like hyphae of a mold which was suspected to be Pythium insidiosum. The vulvar masses were surgically debulked in both animals and sodium iodide and Pythium-immunotherapy prescribed. Pythium insidiosum was isolated in culture and hyphae elements were detected in histological sections confirming the diagnosis of pythiosis in both animals. Despite signs of progressive healing of the vulvar surgical areas, postoperative persistent weight lost in one of the camels suggested the possibility of gastro intestinal (GI) tract pythiosis. This camel died 5 months after the first onset of clinical signs and unfortunately a necropsy was not performed. The other camel responded well to the combination of surgery, iodides, and immunotherapy and has currently rejoined the other members of the herd.

Modified proximal perineal urethrostomy technique for treatment of urethral stricture in goats

OBJECTIVE To report a modified procedure for perineal urethrostomy (PU) in goats. STUDY DESIGN Case series. ANIMALS Adult castrated male pet goats (n = 11) that had recurrence of urinary tract obstruction after one or more surgical procedures for obstructive urolithiasis. METHODS Medical records (May 2008-February 2011) of goats that had a modified proximal PU were reviewed for history, signalment, and intraoperative and postoperative complications. Follow up was obtained through clinical examination or by telephone interview of owners or referring veterinarians. RESULTS Ten goats survived to discharge. Postoperative complications included hemorrhage (n = 7), misdirected urine stream (3), obstructive urolithiasis (2), and bladder atony, dysuria, dehiscence, or delayed healing (1 each). One goat died acutely 15 hours after surgery from peritonitis, pleuritis, hemorrhagic cystitis, and hepatic lipidosis, and 1 goat was euthanatized 14 months after surgery because of renal failure and persistent cystitis. Urethrostomy sites were patent and functional in 9 goats available for long-term follow-up (>12 months). CONCLUSIONS Transection of penile body attachments from the pelvis and careful mucocutaneous apposition may decrease the risk of postoperative urethral stricture formation in goats after PU. Hemorrhage is common after the procedure but does not affect clinical outcome.Objective To report a modified procedure for perineal urethrostomy (PU) in goats. Study Design Case series. Animals Adult castrated male pet goats (n = 11) that had recurrence of urinary tract obstruction after one or more surgical procedures for obstructive urolithiasis. Methods Medical records (May 2008–February 2011) of goats that had a modified proximal PU were reviewed for history, signalment, and intraoperative and postoperative complications. Follow up was obtained through clinical examination or by telephone interview of owners or referring veterinarians. Results Ten goats survived to discharge. Postoperative complications included hemorrhage (n = 7), misdirected urine stream (3), obstructive urolithiasis (2), and bladder atony, dysuria, dehiscence, or delayed healing (1 each). One goat died acutely 15 hours after surgery from peritonitis, pleuritis, hemorrhagic cystitis, and hepatic lipidosis, and 1 goat was euthanatized 14 months after surgery because of renal failure and persistent cystitis. Urethrostomy sites were patent and functional in 9 goats available for long-term follow-up (>12 months). Conclusions Transection of penile body attachments from the pelvis and careful mucocutaneous apposition may decrease the risk of postoperative urethral stricture formation in goats after PU. Hemorrhage is common after the procedure but does not affect clinical outcome.

An Update on the Assessment and Management of Pain Associated with Lameness in Cattle

Lameness affects the cattle industry via both economic losses and welfare considerations. In addition to production deficits, the pain and distress associated with lameness have been documented. Evaluation and prevalence of lame cattle are among the primary factors in third-party welfare audit programs. Mean lameness prevalence in herds has been reported to be as high as 36.8%, although a less than 10% prevalence of lame cattle was reported by some producers. Note that lameness is usually underreported by producers compared with independent observers, potentially because of a decreased sensitivity in detecting lame cattle.

Traumatic Lesions of the Sole

Traumatic lesions of the sole are a common cause of lameness in beef and dairy cattle. This article provides a brief description of traumatically induced conditions with specific attention to underlying causes, treatment, and prevention. Lameness, traumatic lesions of the sole, sole punctures, thin soles, thin sole toe ulcers, toe tip necrosis syndrome, and toe abscesses are discussed.

Pathogenesis and Treatment of Sole Ulcers and White Line Disease

Sole ulcers and white line disease are 2 of the most common claw horn lesions in confined dairy cattle. Predisposing causes include unbalanced weight bearing, and metabolic, enzymatic, and hormonal changes. The white line serves as the junction between the sole and axial and abaxial wall. It is vulnerable to trauma and separation, permitting organic matter to become entrapped. Colonization contributes to retrograde movement of the infection to the solar and perioplic corium, where an abscess forms resulting in pain and lameness. Successful treatment requires an orthopedic foot block to the healthy claw and corrective trimming of the lesion.

Pharmacokinetics of moxidectin in alpacas following administration of an oral or subcutaneous formulation

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of moxidectin in alpacas after single subcutaneous injection of a non-aqueous formulation or oral administration of an aqueous drench at 0.2 mg∗kg(-1). Plasma moxidectin concentrations were measured with reverse phase HPLC, and data analyzed using non-compartmental methods. Half-life was longer (p=0.02) after subcutaneous administration than oral (292+/-170 vs 33+/-39 h). The area under the concentration-time curve was greater (p=0.04) following subcutaneous administration (1484.8+/-1049.5 h∗ng∗ml(-1)) than oral (157.6+/-85.9 h∗ng∗ml(-1)). The peak concentration (Cmax) was higher and the after subcutaneous administration, but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.18). The relative bioavailability of the oral moxidectin to the subcutaneous moxidectin was 11%. The data suggest a higher relative bioavailability following subcutaneous compared to oral administration. Further studies are needed to determine the therapeutic concentrations of moxidectin in alpacas.

Vesicopreputial anastomosis for the treatment of obstructive urolithiasis in goats

OBJECTIVE To describe a novel surgical technique for the correction of recurrent obstructive urolithiasis in male goats. STUDY DESIGN Clinical case series. ANIMALS Castrated male goats (n = 4). METHODS Medical records of male goats having undergone vesicopreputial anastomosis (VPA) as a treatment for obstructive urolithiasis were reviewed for history, signalment, clinical signs, and intraoperative and postoperative complications. Long-term follow-up (≥12 months) was obtained by telephone interview with owners or by clinical examination. RESULTS All goats had undergone at least one surgical procedure (median, 2.5, range 2-4) to correct obstructive urolithiasis before undergoing VPA. Postoperative complications included premature removal of the tube from the bladder (1 goat), bacterial cystitis (2), and abscess formation (1). One goat suffered stricture of the anastomosis site 3 months following the original procedure and underwent a second VPA and 1 goat died 7 months after surgery due to severe, acute hydronephrosis and renal failure. Long-term survival ≥12 months was good with 3/4 goats (75%) or 3/5 VPA procedures (60%) having unobstructed urine flow at 12 months. CONCLUSION Vesicopreputial anastomosis is a feasible surgical procedure for the correction of recurrent obstructive urolithiasis in male goats and one that can result in a favorable clinical outcome. Further investigation in a larger population of goats is warranted for the evaluation of the suitability of VPA in male goats with obstructive urolithiasis.