OSTEOMYELITIS IN CALVES

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.