Sylvain Nichols

Noninfectious Joint Disease in Cattle

Osteochondrosis causes variable degrees of joint effusion and lameness. Arthroscopic debridement of the lesions provides the best long-term outcome. Articular fracture or joint instability following collateral ligament rupture causes severe joint effusion and lameness. Internal fixation combined with external coaptation is the treatment of choice. Degenerative joint disease in young animals has a guarded prognosis. Arthroscopy combined with medical therapy may slow down the disease process. Degenerative joint disease involving the distal interphalangeal joint has a good prognosis following joint resection.

Duodenal obstruction caused by duodenal sigmoid flexure volvulus in dairy cattle: 29 cases (2006-2010).

OBJECTIVE To characterize duodenal sigmoid flexure volvulus (DSFV) and determine the prognosis for affected cattle undergoing surgery. DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS 29 dairy cattle. PROCEDURES The medical records were analyzed for history, signalment, clinical signs, medical management, surgical findings, and outcome. RESULTS 29 cattle were determined to have DSFV between December 2006 and August 2010. Twenty cattle had had an omentopexy or pyloropexy performed 1 day to 2 years before initial evaluation. Cattle were afebrile, tachycardic, and moderately dehydrated, with a small zone of percussion with a ping at the 10th to 12th right intercostal spaces and associated succussion. Biochemical changes were a severe hypokalemic (mean ± SD, 2.9 ± 0.5 mmol/L; median, 3.1 mmol/L; range, 2.08 to 3.92 mmol/L), hypochloremic (mean, 69.7 ± 11.1 mmol/L; median, 71.7 mmol/L; range, 49.1 to 94.1 mmol/L) metabolic alkalosis (mean total CO(2), 44.5 ± 7.4 mmol/L; median, 45.3 mmol/L; range, 31.5 to 59.6 mmol/L) and hyperbilirubinemia (mean, 32.4 ± 29.0 μmol/L; median, 20.5 μmol/L; range, 7.8 to 107 μmol/L). Surgical findings for DSFV included an empty descending duodenum adjacent to a dorsally displaced and dilated cranial segment of the duodenum, distended abomasum and gallbladder, and a tight volvulus at the base of the duodenal sigmoid flexure. Manual reduction was considered successful if the descending duodenum filled after cranial duodenal massage. Twenty-two patients were successfully treated; the remaining 7 died or were euthanized within 4 days after surgery. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE A condition clinically resembling abomasal volvulus but affecting the duodenal sigmoid flexure has been recognized in dairy cattle. When a focal, dorsal right-sided ping and succussion are present combined with severe hypokalemic, hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis and high bilirubin concentration, DSFV should be suspected, especially when there is a history of prior abomasal fixation. After surgical correction, the prognosis is fair to good.

Surgical Management of Omphalophlebitis and Long Term Outcome in Calves: 39 Cases (2008–2013)

OBJECTIVE To describe and evaluate the surgical management of omphalophlebitis and to report the short and long term outcomes in calves. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS Calves (n = 39). METHODS Medical records (2008-2013) of calves diagnosed with omphalophlebitis and that underwent surgical correction were reviewed. Short term (hospital discharge) and long term (≥6 months after surgery) survival rates were obtained. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the population and a Fishers exact test was used to evaluate the relationship between clinical signs, surgical management, and outcome. RESULTS Thirty-nine calves (median age 30 days) were included in the study. Eleven calves had septic arthritis associated with omphalophlebitis and 18 had evidence of liver abscesses on ultrasound. Complete surgical en bloc resection was achieved in 18 calves and umbilical vein marsupialization was performed on the other 21 calves. Thirty-five calves were discharged from the hospital and long term followup was obtained for 30 of them. Twenty-nine animals were performing according to the owners expectation at least 6 months after surgery (14 for marsupialization and 15 for en bloc resection). A better prognosis was detected when en bloc resection was performed (100% survival); however, when marsupialization was performed, the prognosis was good (74%; P = .05). Septic arthritis had a significant negative effect on overall survival (P < .001). CONCLUSION The overall survival is good with both surgical options, and even calves with liver involvement and septic arthritis associated can be successfully treated with a combination of long term antibiotics and umbilical vein marsupialization.

Unilateral Nephrectomy in 10 Cattle

OBJECTIVE To describe clinical and imaging findings, treatment, and long-term outcome of cattle undergoing unilateral nephrectomy. STUDY DESIGN Case series. ANIMALS Cattle (n=10). METHODS Medical records (January 1991-August 2008) of cattle that had unilateral nephrectomy were reviewed. Follow-up data were obtained by owner telephone interview. RESULTS Nephrectomy was performed without surgical complications. Transient increases in blood urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations occurred after surgery and then returned to, or below, presurgical values in 9 cattle. Nine cows were discharged and 7 rejoined their respective herd as productive animals without long-term complications. CONCLUSIONS Ultrasonography was the most useful imaging tool for presurgical diagnosis. Based on our follow-up data, unilateral nephrectomy resulted in few serious short-term or long-term complications, and cattle undergoing this procedure are capable of satisfactory growth, reproduction, and milk production after surgery.

Subtotal or partial unilateral arytenoidectomy for treatment of arytenoid chondritis in five calves

CASE DESCRIPTION 5 calves were evaluated for abnormal respiratory noise associated with variable degrees of respiratory distress. CLINICAL FINDINGS Tachypnea and inspiratory dyspnea were detected at initial evaluation in all calves. Endoscopic evaluation of the upper respiratory tract revealed enlarged and immobile arytenoids. Radiographic (n = 3) and computed tomographic (1) evaluation of the laryngeal area revealed images that were indicative of a large soft tissue mass at the level of the arytenoids obstructing the rima glottis. A presumptive diagnosis of arytenoid chondritis was made. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME A tracheostomy tube was placed in all calves. Medical treatment (with antimicrobials and anti-inflammatory drugs) was attempted in 4 calves after initial evaluation. Unilateral arytenoidectomy via a laryngotomy was performed under general anesthesia in all calves. Dysphagia and coughing were the most frequent postoperative complications. Three calves survived at least 6 months after the procedure. One calf died of a perforated abomasal ulcer 3 months after the surgery. Another calf died suddenly 1 month after the surgery of an undetermined cause. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Unilateral arytenoidectomy was a viable surgical treatment for arytenoid chondritis in calves. Further research in a larger number of affected cattle is needed to determine the advantages or disadvantages of this procedure over other surgical techniques.

Teat Laceration Repair in Cattle

Teat injuries are common in dairy cattle, and, compared with other frequently occurring diseases, these injuries often result in premature culling of affected cows. Teat injuries can be divided into two categories (external or internal injuries). All the different types of injuries/diseases, diagnostic approaches, and therapies have been described in a previous chapter. This chapter focuses only on teat lacerations (external injury).

Tracheotomy and Tracheostomy Tube Placement in Cattle

Either as an emergency treatment or as part of therapy, being able to perform a tracheotomy and place a tracheostomy tube can be very useful for the bovine practitioner. This article presents different situations in which performing a tracheotomy and placing a tracheostomy tube might be indicated. Then the procedure itself is described, with an emphasis on some key points that help facilitate the surgery. Different tubes are presented, and the management of the surgery site is discussed. Finally, complications associated with the procedure and their management are explored.

Arthroscopy in Cattle: Technique and Normal Anatomy

Arthroscopy has all the advantages of minimally invasive surgery in cattle. Specialized equipment and knowledge of normal joint anatomy of cattle are mandatory for successful arthroscopy. The surgical technique is different in cattle compared with the horse. Thick skin and joint capsules complicate movement of the arthroscope within the joints. In cattle, septic arthritis and osteochondrosis are the most frequent disorders suitable for arthroscopic treatment.

Osseous sequestration in alpacas and llamas: 36 cases (1999–2010)

OBJECTIVE To describe clinical findings, treatments, and outcome in camelids treated for osseous sequestration. DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS 27 alpacas and 9 llamas with osseous sequestration. PROCEDURES Medical records of 2 veterinary teaching hospitals were reviewed to identify camelids evaluated because of osseous sequestration between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2010. Data on history, signalment, physical examination and medical imaging findings, treatment, and complications were collected. RESULTS Records of 36 camelids were included, of which there were 22 sexually intact males, 11 females, and 2 castrated males with a median age of 7. 5 months, 3.9 months, and 8.5 years, respectively (age and sex were not available for 1 camelid). The most common clinical signs were lameness, swelling over the affected bone, and associated draining sinus. Sequestra were associated with trauma in 7 (19%) camelids. Camelids with sequestra not associated with trauma (n = 29 [81%]) were significantly younger than those with sequestra attributed to trauma. Thirty-four camelids underwent sequestrectomy, and all survived to hospital discharge (median duration of hospitalization, 6.5 days). Recurrence of a sequestrum occurred twice in 1 (3%) camelid. Long-term follow-up (≥ 12 months) information was available on 24 camelids, of which 20 (83%) recovered without long-term complications. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Unlike in other livestock, trauma was not a primary cause of osseous sequestration in camelids. Sequestra should be considered in the differential diagnostic process in camelids with lameness, a draining sinus, or a firm swelling over a bony prominence. Sequestrectomy is a successful treatment option.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis in Recumbent Adult Dairy Cows With or Without Spinal Cord Lesions

Background Diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) lesions in recumbent dairy cattle (RDC) is challenging because neurologic examination is limited and medical imaging often is challenging or unrewarding. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis is useful in the diagnosis of CNS disorders in cattle. However, its utility in identifying spinal cord lesions in RDC remains to be evaluated. Hypothesis/Objectives We hypothesized that CSF analysis would discriminate between RDC with and without spinal cord lesions. Animals Twenty‐one RDC with spinal cord lesions (RDC+) and 19 without (RDC−) were evaluated. Methods Spinal cord lesions were confirmed at necropsy. Signalment, clinical findings, and CSF results were compared retrospectively. Total nucleated cell count and differential, protein concentration, and red blood cell count in RDC+ and RDC− were compared. Results Neoplasia, trauma, and infectious processes were the most frequent spinal cord lesions identified. Cerebrospinal fluid protein concentrations and TNCC were significantly higher in RDC+ compared to RDC− (P = .0092 and P = .0103, respectively). Additionally, CSF protein concentrations and TNCC in RDC− were lower than previously published reference ranges. Using an interpretation rule based on CSF protein concentration and TNCC, it was possible to accurately identify 13 RDC with spinal cord lesions and 6 RDC without lesions. It was not possible to determine spinal cord status in the remaining 18 RDC. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Cerebrospinal fluid analysis is valuable in the evaluation of spinal cord status in RDC. The prognosis associated with these findings remains to be determined.