Septic arthritis of the distal interphalangeal joint in cattle: comparison of digital amputation and joint resection by solar approach.
OBJECTIVE
To determine in cattle with septic arthritis of the distal interphalangeal joint (SADIJ) the efficacy of resection of the distal interphalangeal joint (JRES) as a digit salvage technique compared with digital amputation (DAMP).


METHODS
Prospective, randomized clinical study.


METHODS
German Holstein-Friesian dairy cattle with SADIJ of 1 hind limb (n=52).


METHODS
SADIJ diagnosis was based on clinical examination and radiography. Cows were randomly assigned with owner consent to DAMP (n=26) or JRES (n=26). After JRES, a wooden block was fixed to the partner claw in combination with a tipping claw prophylaxis.


RESULTS
After surgery, degree of lameness improved significantly faster after DAMP than after JRES. New claw diseases in the opposite limb occurred more frequently after JRES (n=6) than after DAMP (n=1). New claw defects developed in the partner claw on the operated limb in 6 cows after DAMP compared with 1 after JRES. Tipping claw was observed in 50% of JRES cows at day 180. Mean life span between groups was not significantly different (DAMP=13.5 months, JRES=10.9 months).


CONCLUSIONS
Higher surgical and postsurgical expenditures for JRES were not counterbalanced by a longer productive life; however, frequent disease of the partner claw of cows after DAMP should be considered a critical point, as this generally leads to culling.


CONCLUSIONS
The higher expenditure for JRES can be justified only for young, valuable cattle.
Starke
A
A
Clinic for Cattle and the Institute for Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Germany.
Heppelmann
M
M
Beyerbach
M
M
Rehage
J
J
D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006724:Hoof and Claw / Q000601:surgery*; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D023821:Limb Salvage / Q000662:veterinary; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014033:Toe Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome