BOVINE OSTEOCHONDROSIS

This article discusses the pathophysiology, predisposing factors, clin ical findings, treatment and prognosis of osteochondrosis in cattle. T he pathogenesis of bovine osteochondrosis is unclear. The two primary categories of the condition in cattle are osteochondritis dissecans an d subchondral bone cysts; The: most common predisposing factor associa ted with osteo-chondrosis is rapid growth. Such growth may. be related to genetic factors and/or nutritional management. Diet, age, breed, s ex, and environment have:been suggested but riot; completely proven to be predisposing factors far bovine osteochondrosis. Clinically, the c ondition is typically associated with young, male, purebred cattle tha t have clinical evidence of lameness. The radiographic locations of os teochondrosis:lesions in. cattle.are similar to those in horses. Asymp tomatic osteochondrosis lesions do occur in cattle; these lesions are associated with an absence of clinical signs but positive radiographic findings. Clinically, osteochondrosis in cattle is commonly associate d with radiographic evidence of concurrent degenerative joint disease. Osteochondritis dissecans and subchondral bone cysts have similar cli nical findings and outcomes but vary in their radiographic distributio n among joints. Clinically, osteochondrosis usually appears to be a un ilateral condition; during radiographic examination, however, bilatera l lesions are often discovered. Cattle with clinical osteochondrosis m anaged by conservative medical management have a high probability of b eing-drilled because of lameness:within 6 months of the diagnosis of o steochondrosis. Early diagnosis and surgical intervention may provide the best chance of minimizing the loss of productivity in cattle. In t he future, a more complete comprehension :of the pathophysiology and p redisposing factor of osteochondrosis in cattle will be necessary in d eveloping effective therapeutic regimens.