Osteochondrosis, degenerative joint disease, and vertebral osteophytosis in middle-aged bulls.
Twenty-five middle-age (65 +/- 18 months) dairy bulls sent to slaughter for nonmedical reasons were evaluated for joint disease in the stifle and the lumbar vertebrae. Fourteen bulls had degenerative joint disease and 3 had osteochondrosis (osteochondritis dissecans) of the distal end of the femur. These lesions predominantly involved the lateral trochlear ridge. Twenty-one bulls had vertebral osteophytosis. Degenerative joint disease and vertebral osteophytosis were common in these middle-aged bulls and, even when severe, were rarely associated with lameness.
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D005269:Femur / Q000473:pathology; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000662:veterinary*; D007596:Joints / Q000473:pathology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D010007:Osteochondritis / Q000662:veterinary*; D013128:Spinal Osteophytosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D013264:Stifle / Q000473:pathology