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Bovine Reproduction


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and 16.6). Most hydraulic tilt chutes only allow the animal to be placed in a single position. Animal restraint on a tilt table is also easier due to the application of belly bands for support and leg ropes used to restrain limbs on the table. Leg ropes should also be used with a tilt chute, especially the down forelimb (Figure 16.7).

Photo depicts bull prepared for placement in lateral recumbency on hydraulic tilt table. Photo depicts bull in lateral recumbency on hydraulic tilt table. Observe the leg restraints applied to this case. Photo depicts the down forelimb tied in a tilting hydraulic chute to discourage repositioning of the animal while restrained in the chute. Photo depicts evidence of rumen tympany and/or regurgitation of rumen contents should lead to immediate removal of animal from lateral recumbency.

Photo depicts vascular perfusion used for local anesthesia as well as treatment.

      In beef cattle with forelimb lameness, if the cause does not appear to be in the hoof, it is often in the shoulder. This is suspected to be due to inadvertent abduction during mounting or due to falls and displacement of the limb laterally. Rear limbs can be difficult to evaluate and require more patience and effort to examine. The coxofemoral joint must not be overlooked as a cause of lameness in the rear limb. These too can be injected with anesthetics to rule in or out lameness.

      The back is often forgotten as a cause or contributor to lameness, particularly in the bull. Close evaluation may lead to subtle findings such as a shuffling of the rear limbs or muscle atrophy of the lumbar muscles. Pelvic injuries can happen in both sexes of cattle, and sacroiliac injuries supporting ligamentous injuries and fractures to the ilium and ischium are possible [1]. Diagnostic anesthesia in the lower back is rarely effective due to the involvement of multiple structures in most back injuries. Acupuncture and chiropractic examinations may be of value in isolating the problem. Since most radiographic equipment available in practice cannot penetrate the body mass of most mature cattle, radiographs of the spine are of little value. Sometimes, all we can do is make an educated guess and come up with a conservative therapeutic plan.

      Many practices now have digital radiography and digitally enhanced imaging to allow the practitioner the opportunity to clearly identify problems that could only be guessed at a few years ago. It can be a bit challenging to position the animal to get a good image of some areas, but with experience and sometimes sedation of the patient, a good study can be performed.

      Arthrocentesis is another valuable diagnostic tool for evaluation of lameness directly associated with a joint. Color, viscosity, protein content, and cellularity are used to diagnose the health of the joint and can offer a reasonable prognosis. This procedure can be performed in most practices with laboratory access. Evaluation of cell types and protein level found within the synovial fluid is most important. Cellularity should be less than 1000 cells/μl, and protein should be less than 2.5 g/dl in the normal joint.

Photo depicts acute laminitis in a Hereford bull on self-feeder.