In our clinic diseases of the locomotion system in young calves show a
high prevalence. Beside congenital deformities (contracted flexor ten
dons and spastic paresis) there are mainly calves with acquired lamene
ss either without other diseases in the anamnesis or associated with p
neumonia or omphalitis. Later on, however, these calves show unilatera
l lameness, anorexia, unthriftiness, unwillingness to stand and theref
ore consequently decubitus in most cases. Palpation of the affected ar
ea is painful including other signs of inflammation. Fever is rare. Th
e radiographic diagnosis shows circumscript rarefaction (nodules of hy
perlucency) mainly in the epiphyseal areas of fore- and hindlimbs. All
other clinical signs are rare. In some cases biopsies were taken for
histopathological examination. The high value of the calves for the fa
rmers forced us to therapy trials. Diseased calves received a long-ter
m antibiotic therapy and double-fold vitamin D-3 application. Under co
ntinued radiographic examination the course of disease was controlled
and recorded. From 1993 to 1995 there were 35 cases for stationary the
rapy. Our clinic cases could be cured in over 50 per cent followed by
radiological normalization of the osteomyelitis and returning to the o
wner. Besides clinical and hematological follow-up investigations the
good prognosis of these cases is out. The profitableness of therapy is
demonstrated.