Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Large Animal Medicine > Ruminant Upper Limb & Joint Lameness > Flashcards

Ruminant Upper Limb & Joint Lameness Flashcards

1
Q

What are the 6 major etiologic agents of septic arthritis?

A
  1. Trueperella pyogenes
  2. fusbacteria
  3. streptococcus
  4. staphylococcus
  5. coliforms
  6. mycoplasma

culture to determine antimicrobial of choice

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the 3 major ways microbes can infect joints?

A
  1. hematogenous - common in calves with navel infections or failure of passive transfer, affects multiple joints
  2. puncture - affects one joints
  3. periarticular penetration - sequel to a cast sore, abscess outside of joint capsule
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

How do most cases of septic arthritis present? Why should all joints be evaluated, especially in calves?

A

3-legged severe lameness

  • often multiple joints involved
  • mature cattle arthritis is usually affecting a single joint
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are 5 major factors that contribute to prognosis and treatment of septic arthritis?

A
  1. number of joints involved
  2. how long it has been going on
  3. response to previous therapy
  4. size/weight
  5. financial constraints
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Why is sterile prep important for performing joint taps? Where should a joint tap be taken?

A
  • swelling may not be septic
  • culture and sensitivity

soft spot in the swelling (palpate for bone and avoid)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What bore needle is recommended for joint taps? Why?

A

14-18

14g preferred so it is large enough to flush antibiotics and clumps of fibrin or purulent material without becoming clogged

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What does normal joint fluid look like? How can normal viscosity be tested?

A

clear to slightly yellow with no turbidity, few WBCs or neutrophils, and low protein

string test - more purulent material = less stringy; should be at least 2 cm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What conservative treatment is commonly used to treat septic joints? What is a more advance option? What is treatment is not worth it?

A

antibiotics and anti-inflammatories for a few days (good for cases of one joint is affected and found quickly)

systemic and intra-articular antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and flushing of the joint with saline**

slaughter, euthanasia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What clinical signs are most commonly associated with septic arthritis?

A

acute onset of a swollen, hot, and painful joint that the cattle is reluctant to move

  • 3-legged lame!
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

How are chronic cases of septic arthritis like?

A

treatment likely not worth it due to poor prognosis —> euthanasia/slaughter

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

How are radiographs used for diagnosing septic arthritis?

A

give an idea of how long infection has been present —> arthritic changes take at least 2 weeks to appear

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is wrong with this joint tap?

A

no sterile prep!

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What NSAID and antibiotics are recommended for septic arthritis? How should the joint be flushed?

A

Meloxicam + Procaine Penicillin G (Naxcel not able to be used in an off-label manner) —> good option for T. pyogenes, as it is G+, but it’s not broad-spectrum

flush as long as it is productive to do so and the fluid is clear

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Is method of administering antibiotics as important in treating septic arthritis?

A

most drugs given systemically achieve therapeutic tissue levels in synovial membrane and synovia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is a red flag for septic arthritis caused by Mycoplasma?

A

feedlot beef calf with arthritis and pneumonia (can cause an outbreak!)

  • no good treatment or control
  • vaccination is the principle focus on control, but they are lacking
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the only drug approved for treating septic arthritis caused by Mycoplasma? What are some other options?

A

Tulathromycin (Draxxin)

  • Florfenicol (Nuflor)
  • Spectinomycin (Adspec)
  • Enrofloxacin (Baytril)
  • Oxytetracycline has mixed results
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

How do most bovines present with degenerative joint disease?

A
  • chronic progressively severe lameness with a rolling gait
  • prefers recumbency, reluctant to mount
  • can be acute with ligament rupture
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What are 3 possible causes of bovine degenerative joint disease?

A
  1. conformation defects - post-leggedness (straight hock and stifle)
  2. trauma, arthritis, ligament tears
  3. nutrition deficiencies - aphosphorosis

+/- heritable, older and overweight cattle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What are 4 common findings in cattle with degenerative joint disease? How is it diagnosed?

A
  1. resist flexion of affected joints
  2. joint capsule usually not distended, painful, or hot, but can be unstable
  3. soft tissue thickening around joint
  4. crepitation

radiographs +/- arthroscopy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What are common findings in the joint fluid of cattle with degenerative joint disease?

A
  • yellow tinged +/- debris, but no clot
  • 200-1000 WBCs
  • 10-15% neutrophils
  • <3 g/dL protein
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is the preferred treatment of degenerative joint disease? What palliative care is an option?

A

slaughter —> no good therapy available

  • intra-articular corticosteroids
  • rest
  • NSAIDs
  • intra-articular hyaluronic acid
  • acupuncture
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What surgeries are available for cattle with degenerative joint disease?

A
  • curettage and removal of joint mice
  • surgical arthrodesis
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

How do cattle with coxofemoral luxation present? What if it’s bilateral?

A
  • usually sternally recumbent and unable to rise with affected limb abducted excessively
  • standing - extended and shortened limb craniodorsally
  • asymmetric gluteal region

always recumbent in a frog-legged position

24
Q

What are 4 common etiologies associated with coxofemoral luxation? In calves?

A
  1. estrus - large bull mounts smaller female on a slippery floor or with improper leg position
  2. parturition/dystocia - obturator nerve trauma
  3. trauma
  4. slick footing

improper traction at birth

25
Q

What coxofemoral luxations are most common in the US and Australia?

A

US = craniodorsal (not palpable)

AUSTRALIA = caudoventral

26
Q

What are the 6 best cases for coxofemoral luxation reduction?

A
  1. able to stand
  2. < 3 y/o
  3. < 800 lbs
  4. < 12 hr duration
  5. lack of concurrent metabolic disorders
  6. no nerve paralysis
27
Q

What are the 2 most common clinical signs associated with coxofemoral luxation? What can be observed on rectal palpation?

A
  1. abnormal posture of affected limb(s)
  2. limb splayed perpendicularly ot the lateral body wall

unable to palpate femoral head in its normal position in the obturator foramen

28
Q

How will a luxated coxofemoral luxation appear on palpation?

A

place thumbs on tuber ischia and pointer fingers on the greater trochanter —> length differnce between sides is a good means of diagnosis

+/- swelling, crepitation, sudden onset swinging leg lameness

29
Q

How should a downer cow be manipulated to test for hip luxation?

A

must get up —> use hip lifters and place in a floater tank

30
Q

What is the preferred option for coxofemoral luxation treatment? What else can be done?

A

slaughter - prognosis is poor and reluxations are common

  • nothing if able to ambulate, can develop pseudoarthrosis
  • reduce luxation if within 24 hr and craniodorsal
  • open reduction can be performed after 24 hrs in valuable cattle
31
Q

What can make coxofemoral luxation reduction difficult in cattle?

A
  • muscle contraction
  • blood clots can form within a few hours of luxation
32
Q

What are 2 indications of a successful coxofemoral luxation reduction? How can reluxations be avoided?

A
  1. “clunk” sound hear upon traction (constant traction can fatigue muscles!)
  2. greater trochanter in normal position and leg can be flexed easily
33
Q

What treatment of coxofemoral is available for calves?

A

femoral head osteotomy = salvage

34
Q

In what 2 ways can coxofemoral reluxations be prevented?

A
  1. confinement to a location with excellent footing
  2. hobbles
35
Q

In what large animals is osteochondrosis dissecans most common? What are 4 predisposing factors?

A

rapidly growing, young cattle and hogs (6-18 months) —> outgrow cartilage

  1. hard floors
  2. minimal excercise
  3. “hot” nutritional rations (grain!)
  4. genetics

(seen anywhere - humeral head, distal radius, femoral trochlear ridges, femoral condyles, tarsal joints)

36
Q

How is osteochondrosis dissecans diagnosed?

A
  • joint tap = ~2000 WBCs, no bacteria
  • radiography
  • arthroscopy
37
Q

How do most patients with osteochondrosis dissecans present? Treated?

A

chronic, intermittent, less severe lameness

  • stall rest
  • correct diet with less grains
  • arthroscopy with curettage if above fails

(good prognosis with no complicating factors, like DJD)

38
Q

What is a hygroma? Where are they most commonly found?

A

cystic swelling containing serous fluid due to chronic irritation of joints (epidermis, dermis, subcutis), commonly lacking lameness

tarsus and carpus (periarthrosis), not commonly involving the actual articular surface

39
Q

Hygroma:

A
40
Q

What is the most common cause of hygroma development?

A

repeated trauma (rubbing), most common in free stalls with concrete edges (hocks!) or insufficient bedding

41
Q

What are common differentials for hygromas? How do they differ? What is commonly used to differentiate?

A
  • septic arthritis
  • periarticular abscess

hygroma = much less obvious lameness and pain associated

U/S, sterile tap

42
Q

What is a unique cause of hygromas in buffalo?

A

Brucellosis

43
Q

What treatment is recommended for hygromas?

A

most commonly - NOTHING

  • more appropriate bedding —> pasture!
  • antibiotics/anti-inflammatories may not be necessary
  • lance and flush if abscessed
  • bandaging and surgical removal is tough —> complications of entering joint that is not infected or incomplete removal
44
Q

How can hygroma development be avoided?

A

provide excellent bedding and housing

45
Q

How do cases of contracted tendons present?

A

walking on pastern joints

(splints for correction!)

46
Q

What congenital causes can contribute to developing contracted tendons? How can size affect development?

A

arthrogryposis or lupine toxicity (crooked calf disease)

more common in smaller calves —> may have tendons shorter than bones

47
Q

How are contracted tendons treated? What does not work in calves?

A
  • splint and stretch to speed up recovery
  • extreme case + valuable calf = surgery to transect superficial flexor tendon with cast application
    may grow out of it - provide good footing

IV oxytetracycline

48
Q

How do patients with spastic paresis (Elso Heel) present?

A

tripod - one leg hovering and not weight bearing, commonly a hind leg

49
Q

What ultimate genetic cause has been linked to spastic paresis? When are signs seen?

A

Elso II (bull)

clinical between 2-9 months —> occurs in both hindlimbs, but one is commonly worse than the other

50
Q

What treatment is available for spastic paresis?

A
  • slaughter as soon as possible
  • tibial nerve transection - not as helpful, other leg will the become stiff
51
Q

What is the most common cause of extremity cellulitis? What sign is indicative?

A

unsanitary injections

  • extensive cellulitis and abscess tracking
  • extremely swollen limb
  • lameness due to pain and swelling
52
Q

What treatment is recommended for extremity cellulitis?

A
  • drain
  • flush
  • antibiotics
  • repeat
53
Q

How do patients with syringomyelia present?

A

calves with hopping gait

54
Q

What is indicative of perosomus elumbis?

A

agenesis of lumbosacral spine and vertebra causes rear leg arthrogryposis (front legs normal!)

55
Q

What is indicative of spinal dysraphism?

A

arrested development of spinal cord with cavitations results in a hopping gait similar to syringomyelia

Large Animal Medicine (34 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions