Lameness as a problem on sanctuaries – A case study

Objective

The keeping of cattle on so-called sanctuary farms is increasing in Germany. Dairy cows are "rescued" from slaughter, male calves are bought by animal welfare organizations, animal rights activists and private persons and are passed on to sanctuaries before being sold to fatteners. These males are castrated to prevent alleged aggressive behavior towards humans, but of course also to prevent mating. Often this is done very early at an age of a few months. As a result, these steers grow slower than uncastrated bulls, become very long-legged and sometimes very heavy. Often, these animals are treated like companion animals. Against this background, the question arises whether the housing conditions on these sanctuaries meet the needs of the animals, whether the care - including hoof care - is always appropriate and if adequate action can be taken in the event of disease. The following case study is presenting an example showing why these questions have high practical relevance and what measures can be taken, if the owner is willing to invest. 

Material and methods

On a sanctuary in Germany, a group of 10 cattle is kept in a compound with an approximately 100 sqm L-shaped shelter open on one side. The muddy 800 sqm run was renovated - inadequately - 1 year before the study took place. It is covered with a 20 cm thick layer of sand and the underlying drainage layer is not functioning. As soon as it rains, large puddles and muddy areas form, which freeze over into ice-slick surfaces in winter times. Under these conditions, an approximately 1400 kg steer with a shoulder height of about 2 m probably slipped at night and was found by staff the next day highly lame. An initial veterinary examination revealed high-grade swelling of the right knee, which was highly painful, and cracking sounds were perceptible when it was in motion. Under immediate pain therapy with meloxicam (0,5 mg/kg s.c.), the gait improves from LS 5 to LS 4 and the animal was reintegrated into the herd. To rule out damage to claws and other joints, the animal was examined in a suitable tilt table. A comparative ultrasound examination of both knees showed a strong filling of the right knee with echo-poor fluid, floating parts of the lateral meniscus and the collateral ligament in it. Based on these findings and the weight and size of the animal, the prognosis was considered unfavorable. Nevertheless, it was the owner's desire to continue to maintain this exceptionally friendly animal if pain control was possible. Under permanent medication with meloxicam, the so-called orthokine treatment of the knee was performed after 4 weeks. A blood sample of 100 ml was taken from the patient into commercially available serum vacutrainer (Orthokine vet syringe). After 12 hours of incubation at 36 °C blood cells are supposed to be stimulated to produce protective proteins that hold anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties. After puncture of the knee about 150 ml of serous fluid was drained. Then, using a sterile filter as a syringe attachment, 10 ml of prepared serum was applied intraarticularly. This was repeated after 3 weeks. [...]