[Diagnostic procedures and treatment of a ventromedial coxofemoral luxation in sheep - Surgery and open reposition of a ventromedial coxofemoral luxation with a toggle-pin and iliofemoral sling fixation]. / Diagnostik und Therapie bei der Hüftgelenksluxation des Schafes.

A 2.5-year-old female Valais black-nosed sheep was referred to the University Clinic for Ruminants at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, with a history of sudden lameness after shearing. The sheep showed a moderate mixed lameness of the right hind limb, the hip joint area was painful on palpation; the pelvic limb was presented as stretched as possible. After the clinical examination, the suspected diagnosis of a right-sided hip joint dislocation was made, which was subsequently confirmed radiologically (luxatio ossis femoris dextra to caudoventral and medial). An open, manual reposition was performed under general anesthesia. A toggle pin was used as a prosthetic ligament replacement for the femoral head ligament, further stabilization was achieved by means of an iliofemoral loop fixation within the fascia of the gluteal muscles.The movement possibilities of the sheep during the postoperative healing phase were severely restricted and 8 weeks of stall rest were ensured. The healing process was uncomplicated. Telephone enquiry 6 months following the surgical intervention revealed that the sheep was free of lameness, kept up with the herd, and displayed a normal general condition.The success of surgery and the use of the procedure in livestock practice is limited by the necessity of rapid intervention after the trauma has occurred, the willingness of the animal owner to bear the costs associated with the operation under general anesthesia as well as to ensure the long post-operative follow-up care with controlled restriction of movement.

[Surgery site healing disorder following laparotomy in cattle: a retrospective study]. / Wundheilungsstörungen nach abdominal-chirurgischen Eingriffen beim Rind: eine retrospektive Studie.

OBJECTIVES: Wound healing processes in consequence to bovine abdominal surgery performed from 2007 to 2016 at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna were retrospectively assessed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of wound healing complications following abdominal surgery in cattle during this 10-year-period as well as to identify possible risk factors such as elevated temperatures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Surgical procedures finding inclusion comprised ileus, left and right abomasal displacement, caecal dilation or displacement (right flank laparotomies), foreign body syndrome (left flank laparotomy), and umbilical surgery. Additionally, weather data during the study period were collected in order to investigate the possible association between ambient temperatures and wound healing disorders. RESULTS: During this period 1365 abdominal surgical procedures were performed. The majority (68.6 %) of the cattle were Simmental cows, followed by 19.6 % Holstein Friesians. Female animals were overrepresented (73.0 %), and 24.0 % of the patients were calves. In 156 cases (11.7 %), a postoperative wound healing disorder (WHD) occurred. The majority of the laparotomies were performed from the right side; of these 21.4 % were left abomasal displacements and 21.7 % ileus surgeries. Left abomasal displacements (24.4 %) and surgery in the umbilical region (21.2 %) were associated with a higher occurrence of WHDs than other abdominal surgical procedures. Animals with right abomasal displacement developing WHDs were significantly younger than those without a WHD. A significant association between WHD frequency and higher temperatures could not be demonstrated. A total of 34.6 % WHD occurred during the summer months (June-September). However, the probability of developing WHDs increased significantly starting at an environmental temperature of 12.5 °C. Most WHD were observed in May (17.1 %) followed by July (15.6 %) and June (15.3 %). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The occurrence of WHDs is influenced by numerous different factors such as age of the animal, disease, and type of the surgical procedure. The environmental temperature may increase the risk to develop a WHD but is only one parameter of a multifactorial process.

Effect of rain on absorption after transdermal application of flunixin in calves.

Flunixin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that has anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, and analgesic effects. Recently, a novel transdermal formulation was developed (Finadyne® Transdermal, MSD Animal Health) and is now the first NSAID registered to be administered as a pour-on product in cattle. According to the manufacturer's instructions, the pour-on product should be applied only to dry skin and exposure to rain should be avoided for at least 6 hr after application. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of simulated exposure to light or heavy rain on flunixin absorption and bioavailability within the first 4 hr after administration. Therefore, an isocratic HPLC method was developed to quantify flunixin concentrations in bovine serum by UV detection. Light rain decreased flunixin absorption only when rain started immediately after flunixin administration, while light rain starting more than 30 min after administration of flunixin had no effect on absorption. Absorption and bioavailability of flunixin was impacted under simulated heavy rain conditions, when exposure to rain occurred within one hour after the application of the pour-on formulation, but not later.

[Ultrasonographic findings of disorders of the tarsal region in 97 cattle--arthritis, bursitis, tenosynovitis, periarticular abscess and vein thrombosis]. / Sonographische Befunde bei Erkrankungen der Tarsalregion bei 97 Rindern--Arthritis, Bursitis, Tendovaginitis, periartikulärer Abszess und Venenthrombose.

The clinical, radiographic, ultrasonographic and centesis findings of 97 cattle with disorders of the tarsal region (arthritis, bursitis, tenosynovitis, abscess, vein thrombosis) were reviewed (1994-2006), and the typical ultrasonographic findings of different tarsal disorders in cattle are presented. The following criteria were assessed: echogenicity, echopattern, size, shape, appearance of the borders of synovial or other cavities. Ultrasonographic findings were compared with the clinical, radiographic and arthrocentesis results and with intraoperative and/or necropsy findings. 50 cattle suffered from one tarsal disease only, in 47 cattle--up to three different--concurrent disorders in one tarsal region were identified. The afflicted synovial cavities and abscesses were definitely differentiated ultrasonographically in all cattle suffering from tarsal disorders a comprehensive diagnosis could be achieved due to the easy and rapid ultrasonographic differentiation of the incriminated soft tissues.

[Congenital malformation of the front limbs in a llama (Lama glama): polydactyly in combination with arthrogryposis]. / Kongenitale Extremitätenmissbildungen bei einem Lama (Lama glama): Polydactylie kombiniert mit Arthrogryposis.

A male, 10 month old llama with malformation of both front limbs was presented. Both front limbs had one more digit located medially. The distal phalanx of this additional digit at the left front limb reached the ground by the tip of the keratinzed pad and the toenail. The accessory digit at the right front limb was bent in a 90 degree angle caudolateraly. Beside the digital bones of the accessory digits the second metacarpal bone and the first carpal bone could be detected in both front limbs by radiological examination. Secondary a bilateral slight carpal valgus deformity could be seen.

Ultrasonographic examination of important aspects of the bovine shoulder--physiological findings.

The left and right shoulder region of 19 healthy cattle and the left and right shoulders of six bovine cadavers were examined ultrasonographically using a 7.5 MHz linear and a 3.5 MHz convex transducer. The lateral shoulder muscles were successfully imaged in all cases; the joint space appeared as a funnel shaped interruption of the hyperechoic bone surfaces of the distal part of the scapula and the proximal and lateral part of the humeral head. In healthy cattle, the synovial cavities of the scapulohumeral joint, the bicipital bursa and the infraspinous bursa could not be clearly defined. After experimental filling with water, the synovial cavities could be differentiated as discrete anechoic zones. In this study, the normal ultrasonographic appearance of the soft tissue structures and bone surfaces of the scapula and proximal humerus is presented, providing basic reference data for the ultrasonographic evaluation of the bovine shoulder region.

Chondrosarcoma in a simmental cow: Clinical, ultrasonographic, radiographic and pathological findings.

Clinical, ultrasonographic, radiographic and pathological findings of a chondrosarcoma diagnosed in an 8-year-old Simmental cow are reported. The primary site was located in the cartilage of the right scapula at the angulus cranialis. The tumour had already spread to the lungs at the time of diagnosis. This is the first report of a bovine scapula chondrosarcoma.

[Measurement of temperature generation in the corium of bovine claws during claw trimming with an angle grinder using different grinding and cutting disks]. / Temperaturentwicklung an der Sohlenlederhaut des Rindes während der Klauenpflege mit dem Winkelschleifer unter Verwendung verschiedener Schleif- und Messerscheiben.

On 80 bovine hindclaws from slaughtered cows a correct functional claw trimming (sole horn thickness 5 mm; group 1) and on further 80 hindclaws a standardised, incorrect claw trimming (sole horn thickness 2 mm; group 2) was performed using 4 different disks (one cutting, three grinding disks). Two thermocouples were inserted into the solar corium and the heat production on the corium was measured during claw trimming. During correct functional claw trimming with each of the 4 disks a temperature increase in the corium with a median of < or = 0.3 degrees C was calculated. During incorrect claw trimming (2 mm sole horn thickness) a temperature increase with a median of < or = 0.3 degrees C for the first three disks was determined. During claw trimming using the abrasive semiflexible plastic disk a median of 1.3 degrees C temperature increase was calculated. Comparison of the temperatures measured in the claws from group 1 and 2 showed a statistically significant difference between all four disks. Comparison of the temperature increase within each group (group 1 and 2) revealed a statistically significant difference between the cutting disk with steel blades and the abrasive, semiflexible plastic disk in both groups. The highest temperatures measured were 41.5 degrees C in group 1 using the disk with 70% amount of fitted hard metal granulate, and 42.2 degrees C in group 2 (temperature increase of 10.6 degrees C) using the abrasive semiflexible plastic disk. Under the experimental conditions of this study, only a very slight thermogenesis was found when a functional and correct claw trimming using the 4 tested disks was performed. This slight thermogenesis should not be able to cause thermic injury of the corium. By trimming the sole horn incorrectly (2 mm) the measured heat generation in the corium was minor, without danger of thermic insult, excepted for using the disk with a 70% amount of fitted hard metal granulate and the abrasive semiflexible plastic disk. Even, it is unlikely that a short term temperature increase of 10.6 degrees C can cause thermic insults of the solar corium.

[Treatment of infected wounds and abscesses in bovine limbs with Ligasano-polyurethane-soft foam dressing material]. / Behandlung von infizierten Wunden und Abszessen an den Gliedmassen des Rindes mit Ligasano-Polyurethan-Weichschaumstoff-Wundauflage.

The objective of this report is to present the most important indications for the use of Ligasano-polyurethane-soft-foam dressing material in the treatment of infected wounds in cattle. For this study, 28 cattle were selected, which were treated at the clinic (2000-2003) for infected cut, puncture and laceration wounds on the limbs, purulent tarsal hygromas, large abscesses in the tarsal, crural and thigh regions, and purulent tenosynovitis of the digital flexor tendon sheath caused by penetrating puncture wounds. After routine wound cleansing, debridement or adequate surgery with wound lavage, Ligasano-polyurethane-soft-foam (Ligamed Medical Produkte, Cadolzburg-Wachendorf, Germany) was applied as a primary wound dressing instead of the conventional cotton gauze swabs or as drainage material in all these wounds. The porous surface structure of this material caused subtle wound debridement and mechanical stimulation of the wound surface increasing exudation and decreasing fibrinous adhesions. The pores ensured good drainage, reduced infection, avoided the accumulation of exudate and the following destruction of the wound surface. In all these indications, except abscesses and purulent hygromas, no or only slight purulent exudation of the treated wounds was observed. Especially in the treatment of purulent tenosynovitis of the digital flexor tendon sheath with tendon resection a rapid healing of these large surgical wounds--often within 2 weeks--was found. The therapeutic effect of Ligasano-polyurethane-soft-foam as a primary wound dressing was so convincing in these bovine patients, that it is now used exclusively as primary wound dressing material for treatment of infected wounds.

[Bilateral avulsion fracture (apophyseolysis) of the calcaneal tuber in a heifer]. / Beidseitige Abrissfraktur (Apophyseolyse) am Tuber calcanei bei einem Jungrind.

This case report describes the clinical, radiographic, ultrasonographic and histopathological findings of a six-month-old heifer, suffering from bilateral fracture of the calcaneal tuber caused by osteochondrosis. The young cattle was admitted to the clinic for the evaluation of a left hindlimb lameness, having persisted for several weeks. Orthopaedic examination revealed a highly stilted gait with a lameness of the left hind limb, so severe that the heifer was only able to put some weight on the tip of the toe. The calcaneal region on both hindlimbs showed a diffuse swelling, palpation being very painful. The radiological examination revealed a fracture of the calcaneal tuber (apophyseolysis) of both hindlimbs.