Coxofemoral joint radiography in standing cattle

The objective of this study was to establish a technique for radiographic examination of the coxofemoral joint and adjacent bony structures in standing cattle. Left (or right) 30° dorsal-right (or left) ventral radiographic views of the coxofemoral joint region of standing cattle (n = 10) with hind limb lameness were evaluated retrospectively. In addition, an experimental study of oblique laterolateral views of the coxofemoral joint region of a bovine skeleton at angles of 15-45° was carried out to determine the optimal position for visualization of the hip region. In the 10 clinical patients, the bodies of the ilium and ischium, the acetabulum and proximal third of the femur could be assessed. Six of these cattle had fractures of the body of the ilium and body of the ischium, five with and one without involvement of the acetabulum, two had craniodorsal and one caudoventral luxation of the femur and one had a femoral neck fracture. The described laterodorsal-lateroventral radiographs of the hip region in standing cattle were suitable for assessing the coxofemoral joint, the proximal aspect of the femur and parts of the ischium, ilium and pubis. After testing the optimal angle on the skeleton, it was seen that distortion and superimposition were minimized by positioning the X-ray beam at an angle of 25° to the horizontal plane. It can be concluded that the described technique improves the evaluation of injuries of the coxofemoral region in cattle. With the appropriate angle, the technique can also be applied in recumbent cattle.     

Traumatic atlanto-occipital dislocation in a calf

In a 7-week-old calf neurologic symptoms occurred after an accident in the feeding grid. The calf was alert but in left lateral recumbency. After having been placed on its right side it showed a sideward drift to the left. Following head movement, an asynchronous movement of the eyes could be observed. Lesions of the upper motor neuron system, N. vestibulocochlearis, Nn. oculomotorius, trochlearis and/or abducens as well as N. vagus were suspected. Radiological examination of the occipital region and cervical spine revealed an atlanto-occipital subluxation of the atlas. Based on all these findings, the diagnosis of traumatic atlanto-occipital dislocation was made and the calf was euthanized. The pathological findings confirmed this diagnosis.     

Haemorrhage caused by thrombocytopenia in 3 calves

The clinical findings and treatment of 3 calves with bleeding attributable to severe thrombocytopenia (1000 to 5000 platelets/microl) are described. The calves responded to treatment with whole blood transfusion, dexamethasone and other drugs. One calf was subsequently diagnosed with persistent bovine viral diarrhoea virus infection and was euthanased despite a favourable response to treatment. The other two calves were discharged after platelet counts had normalised and bleeding had stopped.