Arthrodesis of the Distal Intertarsal Joint and the Tarsometatarsal Joint in the Treatment of Infectious Arthritis in Adult Cattle

From 2001 to 2005, seven Holstein-Friesian cows were diagnosed with fibropurulent arthritis of the distal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal joints including osteitis and osteomyelitis of the affected bones. Diagnosis involved clinical, ultrasonographic and radiographic examinations. The aim of this study was to compare arthrodesis including or excluding arthrotomy of the tarsocrural joint with the conservative treatment. While the former can be seen as a practicable alternative, the latter is often unsuccessful.
Before admission to the clinic, the animals (N=7) had been diseased for nine ± four days. Animals 1 and 2 underwent a conservative treatment (antibiotics, antiphlogistics). 29 days after the beginning of the treatment, animal 1 showed polyarthritis (gonitis and purulent tarsitis of both hind limbs). Both animals later developed endocarditis valvularis thromboticans (animal 1 after 85 days; animal 2 after 120 days). Animal 3 had already suffered from endocarditis valvularis thromboticans and had been treated with antibiotics before admission to ...