Field Experiences in Surgical Treatment of Digital Flexor Tendons Sepsis in Cow

Deep digital sepsis are quite frequent in cattle and are a cause of economic losses and anticipated culling. An early and precise diagnosis permits also in field condition to adopt adequate therapeutic measures to get back to production the affected cows. A retrospective study on clinical cases of deep digital sepsis involving deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT), superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and flexor tendons sheaths (FTS) was undertaken .

Material and methods
In total, 79 cases of deep digital sepsis were diagnosed in bovines of different ages and breeds, since January, 1, 2004 to December, 31 2005 in 109 farms of northern Italy. 20 cows were affected by digital flexor tendons tenosynovitis ; 12 were submitted to DDFT , SDFT and FTS resection; 3 cows were submitted to antibiotic and anti-inflammatory systemic therapy and 5 cows were culled. In 19 cows DDFT was affected ...