Cervico-thoracic vertebral osteomyelitis in 14 calves.
Fourteen cases of cervico-thoracic (C-T) vertebral osteomyelitis in calves were investigated over a 6 year period. The onset of clinical signs was between 2 and 9 weeks of age. There was no breed or sex predisposition. The clinical history prior to referral extended from 5 days to 8 weeks (mean 20 days). The most common clinical presentation was difficulty in rising with a tendency to knuckle or kneel on the forelimbs which displayed hypotonia and hyporeflexia. In over half the cases pain could be elicited on manipulation of the neck. The lesion in all cases involved one or more of the vertebrae from C6 to T1. The diagnosis was confirmed by radiology and/or at post mortem. Four animals were discharged after treatment, 10 animals were humanely destroyed. Salmonella dublin was isolated from the vertebral lesion in eight of the 10 calves at post mortem.
Healy
A M
AM
Department of Large Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Ballsbridge, Ireland.
Doherty
M L
ML
Monaghan
M L
ML
McAllister
H
H
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular / Q000662:veterinary; D007275:Injections, Intravenous / Q000662:veterinary; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011859:Radiography; D012475:Salmonella / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012481:Salmonella Infections, Animal / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D013413:Sulfadoxine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D014295:Trimethoprim / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003907:Dexamethasone; D013413:Sulfadoxine; D014295:Trimethoprim