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Bovine spastic paresis (BSP) is a neuromuscular disorder characterized by hypertension and stiffness of hindlimb. Two Korean native cattle (Hanwoo) calves developed BSP or BSP-like symptoms, and a tenotomy of superficial tendon of medial head and deep tendon of lateral head of gastrocnemius muscle was performed for treatment. A cast was applied postoperatively to prevent muscle rupture and was removed three weeks later. The prognosis was evaluated at 3 weeks, 6 and 18 months postoperatively. Neither calf showed any other postoperative sequelae. This is the first case study to report the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of BSP in Hanwoo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lameness, mostly resulting from claw lesions, causes major welfare problems in the dairy industry. One way to prevent claw lesions is hoof trimming, but the overall effect and the optimal hoof trimming frequency are unknown. In a retrospective cohort study, we investigated the association between hoof trimming frequency in primiparous cows and hoof health and culling in the second lactation. We based our analysis on breed, calving, and culling data in the period 2015 to 2018 for 30,613 primiparous cows in 202 Swedish dairy herds. Of the cows enrolled, 20% were not hoof-trimmed, 30% were trimmed once, 34% were trimmed twice, 13% were trimmed 3 times, and 2% were trimmed ≥4 times. We used multivariable mixed-effect logistic and multivariable multinomial logistic regression models to investigate the association between trimming frequency and 2 outcomes: hoof lesions at first trimming occasion within 90 d from second calving and culling in the second lactation within 300 d after the second calving. In general, cows trimmed 2 or 3 times during the first lactation were at lower odds of having claw lesions compared with cows that were not trimmed (odds ratio [OR] = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.62-0.71 and 0.60, 95% CI = 0.55-0.66, respectively) or cows trimmed once (OR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.75-0.85 and OR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.66-0.79, respectively), and this beneficial effect was observed for most types of claw lesions. Moreover, cows trimmed 2, 3, or ≥4 times were at lower odds of being culled compared with cows that were not trimmed (OR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.65-0.77, 0.68, 95% CI = 0.61-0.76 and 0.70, 95% CI = 0.54-0.90, respectively) or trimmed once (OR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.71-0.83, OR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.66-0.82 and OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.59-0.97, respectively). In particular, 2 trimmings, compared with 1 or no trimming, lowered the relative risk ratio of dying or being euthanized on-farm, or being culled due to claw and leg disorders. More than 1 hoof trimming in the first lactation also reduced the relative risk ratio of being culled for other reasons. In conclusion, 2 or 3 hoof trimmings during the first lactation were generally beneficial for hoof health in early second lactation and survival in the second lactation. These findings can help improve animal welfare and production by reducing claw lesions, and thereby lameness, among dairy cows, which would increase the longevity of dairy cows and the sustainability of the dairy industry., (The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of the American Dairy Science Association®. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).)

Background: Desmitis of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon (ALDDFT) is a commonly reported injury. Despite the commonality of this injury, the literature is limited to small case series, with the reported success following treatment varying from 18% to 75%., Objectives: To identify the prognosis and factors associated with a return to work following ALDDFT injury., Study Design: Retrospective case series., Methods: Medical records of horses from four equine hospitals (January 2000 and December 2018) with a diagnosis of desmitis of ALDDFT were reviewed. Data retrieved included case detail, use, history, lameness treatment and follow-up. Success was defined as returning to work. Backward stepwise logistic regression was used to identify variables significantly associated with return to work., Results: Ninety-one horses were included. The mean age was 13.5 years (standard deviation 4.9 years). Thirty-four percent (28/91) of horses were sound at the initial presentation. Sixty-eight percent (62/91) of horses were managed using controlled exercise alone, 28% (29/91) were treated with intra-lesional injection, therapeutic ultrasound, extracorporeal shockwave therapy or desmectomy of the ALDDFT and 3% (3/91) were euthanased without treatment. Sixty-four percent (54/85) of horses returned to work. Horses that were lame at follow-up were less likely to return to work (odds ratio [OR] 107.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] 20.06-580.61, p < 0.001) than those that returned to soundness. Identification of adhesions on ultrasonography was also associated with having reduced odds for return to work when compared to horses without adhesions (OR 0.10, 95% CI 0.01-0.76, p = 0.03)., Main Limitations: Retrospective nature of the study, the potential of selection bias with regards to follow-up., Conclusion: Sixty-four percent (54/85) of horses returned to work following injury of the ALDDFT. Persistence of lameness and adhesion formation were significantly associated with a poor outcome., (© 2023 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.)

The welfare of cull cows during transport to slaughter is a current concern in the Canadian dairy industry. Cull cows sold through auction often have a high prevalence of lameness, low BCS, hock lesions, and udder engorgement. To evaluate whether drying off and feeding cull dairy cows before transport can mitigate these challenges, 45 cows designated for culling were randomly assigned to either be fed for 60 d after being dried off (fed group; n = 24) or to serve as controls by being sent directly to slaughter (direct group; n = 21). Two fed group cows were removed for health reasons before completing the feeding period. Both fed group and direct group cows were assessed for locomotion (5-point scale), BCS (5-point scale), hock lesions (3-point scale), udder engorgement (3-point scale), and BW at the time of enrollment. Fed group cows, locomotion, BCS, hock, and udder engorgement scores were assessed weekly until slaughter. Weights of the fed group cows were measured again the day before slaughter. Mixed linear regression models were used to assess continuous outcomes BCS and weight. Mixed logistic regression models were used to assess dichotomous outcomes presence of hock lesions and lameness. Fed group cows gained an average of 116.9 kg over the feeding period (SE ± 8.20). Fed group cows had an average weight at slaughter of 834.2 kg, whereas direct group cows' average weight was 767.3 kg (SE ± 26.8). The fed group cows' average BCS at the start of the trial was 2.4, and at slaughter was 3.6, with an average gain of 1.2 BCS points. At slaughter, the proportion of udders involuted in the fed group was 45.1% (10/22) and in the direct group cows, was 0% (0/21). No differences were found in locomotion or hock lesions between the fed group and direct groups. It is important to weigh potential benefits for the fed group cows with the fact that direct group cows did not endure a drying off procedure, nor were they placed at risk of potential adverse health events. However, despite these potential limitations, due to the improved BCS and udder engorgement scores, cows fed for 60 d may be better prepared for the transportation to slaughter, as well as sell for a higher price due to increased BW and body condition., (The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of the American Dairy Science Association®. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).)

Research Highlights: Wire ramp model reproducibly induced lameness/BCO in broilers.Treatments did not affect growth, but phytase with stimbiotic significantly reduced BCO.Phytase increased circulating inositol, and wire flooring decreased bone inositol.

Objective: The objective of this prospective observational research project was to have dairy producers use and assess the utility of a cull cow evaluation form., Animals: Cull dairy cows., Procedure: Veterinarians were recruited to enrol a purposively selected group of dairy producers into a project to evaluate a cull cow evaluation form. Producers were provided with evaluation forms and asked to complete a form for every cow they culled from their herd from January to June 2017, inclusive., Results: A total of 44 producers used the form to record information on 323 cows prior to transport., Conclusion and Clinical Relevance: Despite the completion of 323 forms, only ~1/3 were completed fully, with compliance highest for body condition score, lameness, and temperature recordings (> 90% of forms). A cull cow evaluation form may improve the thoroughness and consistency of dairy producer assessment of cull dairy cows for fitness for transport., (Copyright and/or publishing rights held by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.)

Cattle lameness remains a significant concern, causing economic losses and compromising animal welfare. Claw horn lesions have been identified as a major cause of lameness in dairy cows, but their correlation with high-energy diets and ruminal acidosis remains unclear. Hence, the primary objective of this study was to assess the effects of a high-starch diet and a conventional diet on the rumen environment, acute-phase proteins, and metabolic alterations, with a particular focus on insulin resistance and the consequent implications for the histology of the hooves in Holstein steers. A total of 16 animals were divided into the high-starch (HS; 37% starch) and conventional (CON; 16.8% starch) groups. Glucose tolerance tests (GTT), blood analyses, rumen fluid analyses, and histological evaluations of the hoof tissue were conducted over a 102-d experimental period. The HS group showed a lower ruminal pH than the CON group, and with values indicating SARA. The plasma glucose and IGF-1 concentrations were higher in the HS group, suggesting an anabolic state. Both groups exhibited an increase in the insulin area under the curve (AUC) after the GTT on d 102. Histological analysis of the hooves showed a reduction in the length and width of the epidermal lamella in both groups. We found a significant negative correlation between the insulin AUC and the length and width of the epidermal lamella. Because both groups were similarly affected, the hypothesis that histological alterations were caused by the experimental diets still needs confirmation. Additionally, the development of SARA was not essential for the observed histological changes in the hoof. Further studies are warranted to thoroughly investigate the role of insulin and IGF-1 imbalances in claw health., (The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of the American Dairy Science Association®. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).)

Background: Detailed descriptions of clinical signs associated with radiological findings of the caudal cervical vertebral column are not available., Objectives/hypotheses: Describe the clinical features associated with neck pain or stiffness, neck-related thoracic limb lameness, proprioceptive ataxia consistent with a cervicothoracic spinal cord or nerve lesion, and their frequency of occurrence compared with control horses., Animals: A total of 223 Warmblood horses., Methods: Case-control study. Controls and cases were recruited prospectively. All horses underwent predetermined lameness and neurologic examinations. The frequency of occurrence of each clinical feature was compared between cases and controls and relative risk (RR) were calculated., Results: Ninety-six cases and 127 controls were included. Forty-seven (49%) of the cases were classified as neurologic, 31 (32.3%) had thoracic limb lameness, and 18 (18.7%) had neck stiffness or pain or both. Focal caudal cervical muscle atrophy (46, 47.9%), hypoesthesia (38, 39.6%), patchy sweating (16, 16.7%), hyperesthesia (11, 11.5%), and pain upon firm pressure applied over the caudal cervical articular process joints and transverse processes (58, 60.4%) were only observed in cases (P < .001). Sideways flexion of the neck was restricted in a higher proportion of cases (47/96, 49%) compared with controls (40/127, 31.8%; P = .009, RR 1.5). Hopping-type thoracic limb lameness was only observed in cases, (30, 31.6%). Deterioration in lameness after diagnostic anesthesia occurred in 13/31 (41.9%) cases., Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Systematic clinical evaluation using the methods described should enable clinical differentiation between horses with caudal cervical lesions and horses with other causes of gait abnormalities., (© 2024 The Author(s). Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.)

Background: Previous research showed that deviations in longitudinal data are heritable and can be used as a proxy for pigs' general resilience. However, only a few studies investigated the relationship between these resilience traits and other traits related to resilience and welfare. Therefore, this study investigated the relationship between resilience traits derived from deviations in longitudinal data and traits related to animal resilience, health and welfare, such as tail and ear biting wounds, lameness and mortality., Results: In our experiment, 1919 finishing pigs with known pedigree (133 Piétrain sires and 266 crossbred dams) were weighed every 2 weeks and scored for physical abnormalities, such as lameness and ear and tail biting wounds (17,066 records). Resilience was assessed via deviations in body weight, deviations in weighing order and deviations in observed activity during weighing. The association between these resilience traits and physical abnormality traits was investigated and genetic parameters were estimated. Deviations in body weight had moderate heritability estimates (h 2  = 25.2 to 36.3%), whereas deviations in weighing order (h 2  = 4.2%) and deviations in activity during weighing (h 2  = 12.0%) had low heritability estimates. Moreover, deviations in body weight were positively associated and genetically correlated with tail biting wounds (r g  = 0.22 to 0.30), lameness (r g  = 0.15 to 0.31) and mortality (r g  = 0.19 to 0.33). These results indicate that events of tail biting, lameness and mortality are associated with deviations in pigs' body weight evolution. This relationship was not found for deviations in weighing order and activity during weighing. Furthermore, individual body weight deviations were positively correlated with uniformity at the pen level, providing evidence that breeding for these resilience traits might increase both pigs' resilience and within-family uniformity., Conclusions: In summary, our findings show that breeding for resilience traits based on deviations in longitudinal weight data can decrease pigs' tail biting wounds, lameness and mortality while improving uniformity at the pen level. These findings are valuable for pig breeders, as they offer evidence that these resilience traits are an indication of animals' general health, welfare and resilience. Moreover, these results will stimulate the quantification of resilience via longitudinal body weights in other species., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Treponema spp. are associated with infectious lameness in livestock and wild ruminants. While extensive research has been conducted on cattle, investigations in wild ruminants are scarce. Hoof disease is common in caribou populations (Rangifer tarandus), but investigations are limited due to the remoteness of the Arctic. Our study aimed to assess the presence of Treponema spp. associated with bovine digital dermatitis in caribou. DNA was extracted from coronary band tissues from forty-eight caribou without visible hoof lesions and analyzed using two PCR methods (qPCR and nPCR). Treponema spp. were detected in low copy numbers/mg of tissue (3.6 to 6.6 × 10 1 ). T. phagedenis was the most prevalent and abundant species in 58% of samples by qPCR, followed by T. medium (44%), and T. pedis (10%). The qPCR and nPCR agreement ranged between 65% and 75% (Cohen's kappa 0.22-0.51). Sanger sequencing of thirteen nPCR products confirmed that treponemes in caribou are remarkably similar to those found in domestic ruminants and wild elk. Our study highlights the colonization of treponemes in healthy hooves of a wild ruminant in the Arctic, where there is no presence of livestock, and expands knowledge on the host range and distribution of treponemes. These findings also emphasize the need for further research into the multifactorial nature of treponema-associated hoof diseases and the putative role of treponemes in infectious lameness affecting caribou., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Our objective was to investigate associations of postpartum health with serum progesterone (P4) concentrations after first artificial insemination (AI), expression of interferon-stimulated genes (ISG) in blood leukocytes, and serum pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) during early pregnancy in dairy cows. In this observational study, Holstein cows (n = 475) from 2 commercial herds were enrolled 3 wk before expected parturition. Body condition score (BCS) and lameness were assessed at enrollment, and total Ca, haptoglobin, and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) were measured in serum at 2 and 6 ± 2 d in milk (DIM). Blood β-hydroxybutyrate and metritis were evaluated at 4, 8, 11, and 15 ± 2 DIM, and purulent vaginal discharge (PVD) and endometritis based on endometrial cytology were diagnosed at 35 DIM. Onset of cyclicity was assessed by biweekly P4 measurements. The BCS was assessed at enrollment and at 63 DIM, and lameness at enrollment and at 21 and 49 DIM. First AI was based on estrus detection until ∼75 DIM, or synchronization for timed AI thereafter. Serum P4 was measured at d 8 and 12 after first AI; expression of ISG (ISG15 and RTP4) in blood leukocytes was assessed at d 19; and PAG in serum of pregnant cows was measured at d 29, 33, and 40. Multivariable linear regression models were built including health variables (with metabolites categorized via receiver operating characteristic curve analysis) and covariates (season, milk yield, AI method, DIM), accounting for pregnancy status (for ISG and PAG models), repeated measures (for P4 and PAG models), and herd as random. Results are reported comparing cows affected versus unaffected by each predictor. Serum P4 concentrations were lesser at d 8 after AI in cows that had total Ca ≤2.09 mM (3.6 vs. 4.0 ± 0.2 ng/mL) at 2 DIM or a clinical disease (3.7 vs. 4.0 ± 0.2 mg/mL), and P4 tended to be lesser at d 8 in cows that had PVD (3.6 vs. 4.0 ± 0.2 ng/mL) or any uterine disease (3.7 vs. 4.1 ± 0.2 ng/mL). Among cows pregnant at d 29, relative ISG15 expression (fold change) at d 19 was greater in cows that had lameness (5.10 [4.18-6.18] vs. 3.14 [3.10-3.19]) but tended to be lesser in cows that had endometritis (3.20 [2.89-3.54] vs. 4.29 [4.20-4.35]), and relative expression of RTP4 tended to be lesser in cows that had displaced abomasum (1.02 [0.62-1.67] vs. 1.75 [1.73-1.78]). Serum PAG was lesser at d 29 (3.8 vs. 4.2 ± 0.2 sample-to-positive ratio [S:P]) in cows that had NEFA ≥0.73 mM at 6 DIM, and lesser at d 33 (3.9 vs. 4.5 ± 0.2 S:P) and 40 (3.1 vs. 3.7 ± 0.2 S:P) in cows that had prepartum BCS ≥3.75. These findings suggest long-term effects of metabolic or reproductive tract disorders on luteal function after first AI, pregnancy recognition signaling, and placental function during early pregnancy. These associations may partially explain some of the pathways linking postpartum health and fertility in dairy cows., (The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of the American Dairy Science Association®. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).)

Transarticular external skeletal fixation (TESF) is repeatedly used for temporary stabilisation of tarsal joint in cats. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the use of temporary modified type II TESF for management of talocrural instability (TCI) in cats without joint arthrodesis and to rate short-term outcomes and complications. Medical records of all cats treated for TCI between January 2012 and December 2021 were reviewed. Information was collected including signalment, degree of lameness, type of TCI, accompanying soft tissue and bone injuries, and post-operative follow-up assessment including time of frame removal, complications, degree of lameness, range of joint motion and ankylosis. Surgical management didn't involve debridement of the articular cartilage. Eighty-five percent of cats had satisfactory joint stability at the time of frame removal. Eighteen cats exhibited minor complications, six cats had major complications, and 8 cats showed persistent lameness. All cats showed reduction of joint motion range by 20°-30° directly after frame removal while returned to normal in 79% of cats 4 weeks later. Variable degrees of joint ankylosis were reported. In conclusion, this study supports the use of temporary modified type II TESF for management of TCI in cats without joint involvement as an excellent alternative to tarsal arthrodesis., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Objective: To describe the short-term outcome of acute arthroscopically assisted ulnar shortening (AUS), to treat short radius syndrome in dogs., Study Design: Case series., Animals: Eleven client owned dogs., Methods: Records of dogs that had undergone AUS for treatment of short radius syndrome were reviewed for inclusion. Reporting data included among others pre- and postoperative radioulnar, humeroradial and humeroulnar distances, lameness scores, surgical times, complications and clinical outcome., Results: Following AUS, radiohumeral articulation was improved in all dogs. Median presurgery radioulnar, humeroradial and humeroulnar values were 4.5, 3.2, and 2.2 mm and were improved with surgery by a median of 3.2, 1.8, and 1.2 mm, respectively. Median surgery time was 140 min. Median time to bone healing was 8 weeks (range: 4-14). Median time to last follow-up was 9 weeks (4-468). Median lameness score (scale 0-4) improved from 2 to 1. No major complications were reported. Short-term clinical outcome was graded by the surgeons as full function in four cases and acceptable function in seven., Conclusion and Clinical Relevance: Radiographic and arthroscopic radiohumeral articulation were improved and short-term clinical improvement was documented following AUS in all 11 dogs., (© 2024 American College of Veterinary Surgeons.)

Background: Lameness affects approximately one-third of the national dairy herd, impacting welfare and production. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the main analgesic available, but use is variable. The aims of this study were to describe how members of the mobility team perceive pain and use NSAIDs for conditions causing lameness in dairy cows., Methods: A questionnaire was distributed online to UK farmers, veterinarians, veterinary technicians (VTs) and foot trimmers (FTs). Respondents were asked to describe factors affecting their NSAID use and to score pain associated with 16 scenarios, including diagnoses, conditions and procedures associated with lameness in cows., Results: Of 210 respondents, 81 (38.6%) were farmers, 80 (38.1%) were veterinarians, 34 (16.2%) were FTs and 15 (7.1%) were VTs. For most conditions, farmers scored pain lower than veterinarians and VTs and were less likely to use or recommend NSAIDs than veterinarians, VTs and FTs. Farmers rated cow comfort as more important (p < 0.001) and the cost of drugs as less important (p < 0.001) in using NSAIDs than veterinarians predicted., Limitations: There were fewer VTs and FTs than farmers and veterinarians, limiting generalisation. Response and social acceptability biases may have affected the findings., Conclusion: All members of the mobility team have different perceptions and areas of expertise around lameness. Increasing collaboration and harnessing of skills and knowledge within the team could improve detection and treatment of lameness, with consequent benefits to cow welfare and production., (© 2023 The Authors. Veterinary Record published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Veterinary Association.)

Objectives: To report the short-term clinical and radiographic outcomes in cats with femoral capital physeal fractures stabilised with transcervical pinning., Materials and Methods: Medical records of cats diagnosed with femoral capital physeal fractures and treated with transcervical pinning were reviewed. The collected data included signalment, weight, time from lameness to surgery, reported trauma, affected side, concomitant orthopaedic injuries, radiographs, osteoarthritis, femoral neck osteolysis, proximal femoral epiphysis to femoral neck ratio, fracture reduction, implants, complications and clinical evaluation results. An owner questionnaire was used for long-term follow-up., Results: Nineteen cats with a total of 21 fractures met the inclusion criteria. Fifteen of the 19 cats showed no signs of lameness at the 1-month follow-up. Major and catastrophic complications occurred in 9.5% and 23.8% of the fractures, respectively. All catastrophic complications occurred in fractures with a high preoperative osteolysis grade (2 or 3)., Clinical Significance: In our study, transcervical pinning was found to be a reliable fixation method for the treatment of femoral capital physeal fractures in cats with minimal preoperative femoral neck osteolysis. High rates of implant failure with loss of fracture reduction were observed in cats with high-grade preoperative osteolysis., (© 2023 British Small Animal Veterinary Association.)

Our objective was to describe associations of postpartum health with pregnancy and pregnancy loss (P-LOSS) from d 19 to 40 after first postpartum artificial insemination (AI) in lactating Holstein cows. In 2 commercial dairy herds in Ontario, Canada, 468 Holstein cows were enrolled 21 ± 3 d before expected parturition when body condition score (BCS) and lameness were assessed. Serum total Ca, haptoglobin (Hp), and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) were measured at 2 and 6 ± 2 d in milk (DIM). Blood β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) measurement and metritis detection were done at 4, 8, 11, and 15 ± 2 DIM. Cows were examined for endometritis (ENDO; ≥11.5% polymorphonuclear cells in endometrial cytology) and purulent vaginal discharge (PVD) at 35 ± 3 DIM. Lameness was assessed again at 21 and 49 ± 3 DIM and BCS at 63 ± 3 DIM. First postpartum AI occurred primarily (86%) based on detection of estrus by activity monitors, on average (± standard deviation) at 65 ± 9 DIM, and the remaining cows received timed AI at 86 ± 18 DIM. Serum progesterone (P4) was measured on d 8 and 12 after AI, and pregnancy at first AI (P/AI) was estimated by the expression of ISG15 in peripheral blood leukocytes at d 19 after AI and by pregnancy-associated glycoprotein in serum at d 29, 33, and 40 after AI. Each metabolite (Ca, Hp, NEFA, and BHB) was categorized above or below a cut-point identified with receiver operating characteristic curve analysis associated with P/AI confirmed by ultrasound at d 33 from a larger data set. Data were analyzed using multivariable mixed logistic regression models, accounting for parity, health variables, covariates (season at calving and at AI, milk yield at first Dairy Herd Improvement Association test [categorized into terciles], AI method, and DIM), and herd. The proportions of cows classified pregnant at d 19, 29, 33, and 40 after AI were 64%, 54%, 50%, and 45%, respectively. At d 19 after AI, P/AI was less likely in cows diagnosed with ENDO (52% vs. 69%) or PVD (54% vs. 67%). At d 29, P/AI was less likely in cows with Hp ≥1.54 g/L at 2 DIM (38% vs. 55%) or PVD (35% vs. 56%). Both metritis and ENDO were associated with decreased P/AI at d 40 after AI. Cows diagnosed with metritis had greater risk of P-LOSS from d 19 to 29 (43% vs. 22%) or from d 33 to 40 (37% vs. 7%) than cows without metritis. From d 29 to 33, the risk of P-LOSS was greater in cows with NEFA ≥0.73 mM at 2 DIM (13% vs. 5%) or BCS ≤2.75 at 63 DIM (14% vs. 5%). The concentration of P4 on d 8 after AI was positively associated with P/AI at d 29, 33, and 40, and negatively associated with P-LOSS from d 19 to 29. Postpartum health disorders, particularly reproductive tract disease, can have detrimental effects on early pregnancy establishment and on pregnancy maintenance from d 19 to 40 after AI., (The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. and Fass Inc. on behalf of the American Dairy Science Association®. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).)

Histiocytic sarcoma (HS) is a common tumour in flat coat retrievers (FCRs) often affecting periarticular tissues and joints. Palliative-intent radiotherapy, seeks to achieve local tumour control, pain relief and improve limb function. However, the effect of palliative-intent radiotherapy on analgesic levels of dogs with localised HS has not been studied. We hypothesised that palliative-intent radiotherapy could improve lameness in dogs affected by localised HS. This study aimed to assess the impact of palliative-intent radiotherapy on lameness of FCRs with localised HS. A retrospective cohort single institution study was performed. Medical records of FCR dogs with HS that received external beam radiotherapy between 2003 and 2022 were reviewed and included demographic, staging, severity of baseline lameness, therapeutic management and outcome data. Descriptive statistics, McNemar's chi-squared test, Fisher's exact test and Kaplan-Meier analysis were used for statistical analysis. Thirty-nine dogs were included with a median age of 7.2 years, 25 were male and 14 were female. HS was most commonly located in the forelimb (29 dogs, 74.3%), affecting the shoulder joint (19 dogs, 48.7%). Staging was performed in all 39 dogs with 22 (56.4%) dogs having localised HS, six (15.3%) dogs had localised HS with node metastasis and 11 (28.2%) dogs had localised HS with systemic metastasis. All dogs received palliative-intent hypo-fractionated radiation therapy, 32 (82%) dogs showed improvement in lameness. In conclusion, palliative intent radiation treatment has an analgesic effect reducing lameness or clinical signs associated with affected tumour-bearing joints., (© 2023 The Authors. Veterinary and Comparative Oncology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background/aim: Effective treatment of nonunion fractures is challenging as it requires a biological and mechanical environment to promote sufficient osteogenesis. Herein, we present a case series in which we evaluated the clinical efficacy of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2)-loaded alginate microbeads and allografts in two dogs with nonunion fractures., Case Report: A 3-year-old, 2.3-kg, spayed female Pomeranian (Case 1) presented with intermittent lameness of the left forelimb after radial and ulnar fracture repair 8 weeks prior. A 4-year-old, 4.8-kg, spayed female Pomeranian (Case 2) was referred for non-weight-bearing lameness of the left hindlimb due to implant failure following left tibial fracture repair. Both dogs had atrophic bone ends and no bridging calluses at the fracture site on radiographs, and were diagnosed with nonviable nonunion fractures of the radius/ulna and tibia, respectively. The surgical approach involved implant removal, debridement, and fracture gap reconstruction. BMP-2 was loaded into alginate microbeads for a prolonged release with bone allograft chips in both cases. In Case 1, bead grafts were applied directly at the fracture site, while in Case 2, they were implanted inside a frozen cortical bone allograft as a scaffold to fill the large gap. Postoperative radiography revealed excessive callus formation, early radiographic bone union, and cortical bone remodeling, in line with improved lameness scores. At the final follow-up, gait was improved and the desired bone length and shape were achieved in both cases., Conclusion: Simultaneous use of osteoinductive BMP-2 alginate microbeads and osteoconductive bone allografts yielded functionally and structurally favorable outcomes in canine nonunion fractures, without major complications., (Copyright © 2024, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.)

Objective: To describe an arthroscopically guided technique for lag screw placement across subchondral bone cyst (SBC) in the medial femoral condyle (MFC) and to compare postoperative racing performance with corticosteroid injection and cyst debridement., Study Design: Retrospective cohort study., Animals: One hundred twenty-three horses with 134 MFC SBCs undergoing treatment at a single referral hospital in the UK between January, 2009, and December, 2020., Methods: Sex, age, limb affected, radiographic cyst dimensions, preoperative and postoperative lameness, surgical technique (lag screw placement, cyst debridement, intralesional corticosteroid injection), and, where applicable, screw positioning were recorded retrospectively. A ratio was calculated using measurements from preoperative and postoperative radiographs. Outcome was assessed by resolution or improvement in lameness, reduction in cyst size, and starting one race after treatment. Outcome data was compared between treatment groups., Results: Twenty-six of 45 (57.8%) horses that underwent transcondylar screw placement raced postoperatively, at a median of 403 days between surgery and first postoperative race. There was no difference between treatment groups with regard to racing or preoperative and postoperative lameness. Cysts treated with transcondylar screw placement had a greater reduction in cyst size and a reduced period of convalescence in comparison with those that underwent debridement; the results were similar to those treated by intralesional corticosteroid injection., Conclusion: Postoperative racing rates were similar for all techniques. Convalescence was reduced for lag screw placement and corticosteroid injection compared to debridement., Clinical Significance: The arthroscopically guided technique results in radiographically consistent screw placement and cyst engagement and offers a viable alternative to other treatments., (© 2023 American College of Veterinary Surgeons.)

This study investigated the impact of calcium (Ca) and vitamin D supplements on bone metabolism, bone measurement, lameness, and selection rate in gilts fed 5 dietary treatments. Two Ca levels (6.85/6.42 [adequate; ACa] or 8.99/8.56 [high; HCa] g/kg) were combined with either 856 IU/kg vitamin D3 (Danish feeding standards; adequate; AD3) or 50 μg/kg 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (high; HHyD) to create ACaAD3, HCaAD3, ACaHHyD, and HCaHHyD diets. The values 6.85/6.42 and 8.99/8.56 g/kg correspond to adequate and high Ca supply for gilts weighing 32 to 100 and 100 to 180 kg body weight (BW), respectively. The fifth diet was a combination of HCa and 2,000 IU/kg vitamin D3 (high; HD3) to create HCaHD3. Two hundred gilts were phase fed the dietary treatments from 32 to 100 and 100 to 180 kg BW until they were slaughtered, either at 100 or 180 kg BW. The gilts were weighed fortnightly, and plasma and urine samples were collected at 100 and 180 kg BW. At slaughter, the 2nd and 3rd metacarpal bones were collected for bone parameters measurements. Lameness and selection rate were assessed within the last 7 d at 100 and 180 kg BW. Dietary treatments did not affect gilts' growth performance and plasma concentration of Ca, but the urinary concentration of Ca was greater in HCa-supplemented gilts at both 100 (P = 0.003) and 180 (P = 0.05) kg BW. Plasma concentration of vitamin D3 (P < 0.001) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (P < 0.001) showed dose-dependent responses at both 100 and 180 kg BW. Bone-specific alkaline phosphatase was greater (P = 0.02) in the plasma sample collected at 180 kg BW in gilts fed the HCaHD3 diet and tended to be greater in gilts fed the ACaAD3 diet (P = 0.06). The bone ash content (P = 0.02) was greater in gilts fed the HCaAD3 diet and slaughtered at 100 kg BW compared with gilts fed the ACaAD3 and ACaHHyD diets. However, bone weight, length, thickness, dry matter, and mineral content did not differ among the dietary treatments at both 100 and 180 kg BW (P > 0.05). Neither lameness nor selection rate was affected by the dietary treatments. The average daily gain of gilts weighing 32 to 100 and 100 to 180 kg BW showed a positive correlation with bone strength (r = 0.37; P < 0.001) and bone ash content (r = 0.24; P = 0.02), respectively. In conclusion, higher Ca and vitamin D3 supplementation slightly increased bone ash content but had no effect on the lameness or selection rate of the gilts compared to those fed according to the Danish nutrient standards., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science.)

A number of facial expressions are associated with pain in horses, however, the entire display of facial activities during orthopedic pain have yet to be described. The aim of the present study was to exhaustively map changes in facial activities in eight resting horses during a progression from sound to mild and moderate degree of orthopedic pain, induced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) administered in the tarsocrural joint. Lameness progression and regression was measured by objective gait analysis during movement, and facial activities were described by EquiFACS in video sequences (n = 348, total length 892.5 min) of the horses obtained when resting in their box stalls. Predictive modeling identified 16 action units and action descriptors, related to ears, eyes, and lower face. Lower lip depressor (AU16), lips part (AU25), half blink (AU47), single ear forward (SEAD101) and single ear rotator (SEAD104) were selected as co-occurring significantly more in horses with pain than in horses without pain. The major change in co-occurring facial activities occurred in the transition from no pain to mild pain. In conclusion, resting horses with induced orthopedic pain showed a dynamic upper and lower facial repertoire and the relationship between level of pain intensity and facial activity appears complex., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

This report describes the diagnosis and treatment of a benign renal cyst in an adult, female golden eagle ( Aquila chrysaetos ) presented for unilateral leg lameness. A cyst at the cranial division of the left kidney was diagnosed by computed tomography and was suspected of compressing the lumbosacral nerve plexus, resulting in limb lameness. The renal cyst was incompletely excised because the cyst wall was closely adhered to the kidney parenchyma and local blood supply. Fluid analysis and surgical biopsy of the cyst and left kidney confirmed the diagnosis of a benign renal cyst. No evidence of an infectious, inflammatory, or neoplastic etiology was noted. Postoperatively, the eagle's lameness resolved and the bird was ultimately released following recovery. During treatment for the renal cyst, the eagle was concurrently found to have increased serum titers on elementary body agglutination for Chlamydia psittaci and a positive titer for Aspergillus species antibody testing. The bird was administered doxycycline, azithromycin, and voriconazole for treatment of these potential pathogens prior to release. Unfortunately, the eagle was found dead 86 days postrelease due to an unknown cause. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of a golden eagle with a benign solitary renal cyst causing unilateral lameness secondary to nerve compression that was resolved with surgical excision.

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess lameness in dogs with advanced osteoarthritis of the hip and knee joints after a single autologous point-of-care transplantation of the Stromal Vascular Fraction (SVF) into the affected joint., Materials and Methods: During a minilaparotomy, 10 g of falciform fat was removed from each patient for each joint to be treated. A modern and time-saving procedure (ARC TM System, InGeneron GmbH, Houston, USA) was used for the in-house preparation of the SVF, so that the isolated cells could be applied to the respective joint within 2 h after fat removal. In total, five knee joints of five patients and seven hip joints of four patients were treated., Results: Improvement in lameness according to owner questionnaires was seen in 3 of 5 patients with knee joint arthritis and 2 of 4 patients with hip joint arthritis. Based on gait analysis, only one dog with gonarthrosis and one dog with coxarthrosis showed improvement up to a maximum of 3 months after surgery., Conclusion: This is the first case series on the treatment of osteoarthrosis of the knee or hip joint using point-of-care transplantation of the SVF. In individual cases, this method may represent a therapeutic approach for the treatment in dogs with advanced cox- or gonarthrosis, although only a short-term effect can be expected, which calls into question the effort and costs involved., (© 2023 The Authors. Australian Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Australian Veterinary Association.)

Background: Osteochondral fragment removal is commonly performed but there are little scientific data supporting this procedure in the absence of clinical signs. More information is needed to facilitate clinical decision-making regarding fragment removal of the metacarpo-/metatarsophalangeal joint., Objectives: To assess prevalence of cartilage injury in the equine metacarpo-/metatarsophalangeal joint and its association to fragment size, location, age and lameness., Study Design: Retrospective observational study., Methods: Clinical records, including radiographs of 823 metacarpo-/metatarsophalangeal joints (640 horses) that underwent arthroscopic fragment removal, were reviewed. Fragment size, intra-articular fragment location and cartilage injury score were recorded. Presence of synovitis was retrospectively evaluated in 157 joints. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used for group comparisons, and Dunn's post hoc test was applied for multiple comparisons. Linear regression analysis was used to assess strength of association between age and mean cartilage score. Univariable regression analysis was performed and variables with p < 0.2 were used in the final mixed-effects multivariable model to which backwards stepwise selection was applied. Significance level was p < 0.05., Results: Cartilage injury was present in 28.8% (95% CI = 25.8-32.0) of joints. Lameness was not associated with fragment location or fragment size. Fragment size was not associated with cartilage injury. Age (OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.22-1.48, p < 0.001) and lameness (OR = 5.03, 95% CI = 2.27-11.68, p < 0.001) were associated with cartilage injury as well as fragment location (palmar/plantar, OR = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.13-0.38, p < 0.001), with dorsal fragments being more likely to be associated with cartilage lesions than palmar/plantar fragments. There was a significant association between age and mean cartilage score (b = 0.18, 95% CI = 0.14-0.22, p < 0.001)., Main Limitations: The series included a heterogenous group of horses of different breed, sex, age and use. Data were collected retrospectively and could, in parts, not be fully evaluated., Conclusions: Early fragment removal, especially in joints with dorsal fragmentation, can be beneficial to avoid future cartilage injuries in equine athletes., (© 2023 EVJ Ltd.)

The objective of this prospective observational study was to investigate associations of postpartum health with estrus detection (ED) by activity monitors and pregnancy outcomes in dairy cows. A total of 1,743 Holstein cows from 2 commercial dairy herds in Ontario, Canada were enrolled 3 wk before expected parturition and examined for health variables until 9 wk postpartum. Body condition score (BCS) and lameness were measured at 3 wk prepartum, and serum concentrations of total Ca, haptoglobin (Hp), and nonesterified fatty acids were measured at 2 and 6 ± 2 d in milk (DIM), and blood β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and metritis were assessed at 4, 8, 11, and 15 ± 2 DIM. Cows were examined for purulent vaginal discharge (PVD) and endometritis (ENDO) by endometrial cytology at wk 5, for lameness at wk 3 and 7, for BCS at wk 9 postpartum, and for time to onset of cyclicity by biweekly serum progesterone (P4) measurements. Additional disease data were obtained from farm records. Reproductive management for first AI was primarily based on ED by activity monitors until at least 75 DIM, and cows not detected in estrus were synchronized. Data were analyzed in multivariable logistic or Cox proportional hazards regression models including blood markers, health variables, potential covariates, and herd as a random effect. Estrus was detected in 77% of primiparous and 66% of multiparous cows between 50 or 55 DIM and 75 DIM. In 1,246 cows, the model-predicted probability of ED (percentage point difference) was lower in cows that had retained placenta (-14%), ENDO (-7%), PVD (-8%), delayed cyclicity (no P4 > 1 ng/mL by wk 9; -12%), or ≥0.5-point BCS loss (-14%) compared with cows without each of these risk factors, and it was negatively associated with blood BHB at 15 DIM. Considering only variables measured on farm (not requiring laboratory analysis), the probability of ED was lower (56 vs. 81%) in cows with >1 risk factor compared with cows without risk factors. The predicted probability of pregnancy at first artificial insemination (percentage point difference) was lower in cows that had ENDO (-7%) or PVD (-7%), and negatively associated with serum Hp at 6 ± 2 DIM. In cows detected in estrus by 75 DIM (n = 888), risk factors for reduced pregnancy rate by 250 DIM (adjusted hazard ratio (AHR); 95% confidence intervals) included difficult calving (AHR: 0.67; 0.45 to 1.00), metritis (AHR: 0.79; 0.61 to 1.01), PVD (AHR: 0.79; 0.65 to 0.97), or lameness (AHR: 0.79; 0.62 to 1.01), and it was negatively associated with serum Hp at 6 ± 2 DIM. Monitoring postpartum health may be used to identify cows that are more or less likely to be detected in estrus by activity monitors and to become pregnant in a timely manner. This would support a selective reproductive management program with targeted interventions., (© 2023, The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. and Fass Inc. on behalf of the American Dairy Science Association®. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).)

Avian tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) is a skeletal disease affecting fast growing chickens, resulting in non-mineralized avascular cartilage. This metabolic disorder is characterized by lameness and reduced growth performance causing economic losses. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of baicalin against TD caused by thiram exposure. A total of two hundred and forty (n = 240) one day-old broiler chickens were uniformly and randomly allocated into three different groups (n = 80) viz. control, TD, and baicalin groups. All chickens received standard feed, however, to induce TD, the TD and baicalin groups received thiram (tetramethylthiuram disulfide) at a rate of 50 mg/kg feed from days 4-7. The thiram induction in TD and baicalin groups resulted in lameness, high mortality, and enlarged growth-plate, poor production performance, reduction in ALP, GSH-Px, SOD, and T-AOC levels, and increased AST and ALT, and MDA levels. Furthermore, histopathological results showed less vascularization, and mRNA and protein expression levels of Sox-9, Col-II, and Bcl-2 showed significant downward trend, while caspase-9 displayed significant up-regulation in TD-affected chickens. After the TD induction, the baicalin group was orally administered with baicalin at a rate of 200 mg/kg from days 8-18. Baicalin administration increased the vascularization, and chondrocytes with intact nuclei, alleviated lameness, decreased GP size, increased productive capacity, and restored the liver antioxidant enzymes and serum biochemical levels. Furthermore, baicalin significantly up-regulated the gene and protein expressions of Sox-9, Col-II, and Bcl-2, and significantly down-regulated the expression of caspase-9 (p < 0.05). Therefore, the obtained results suggest that baicalin could be a possible choice in thiram toxicity alleviation by regulating apoptosis and chondrocyte proliferation in thiram-induced tibial dyschondroplasia., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)