34th Annual Scientific Meeting proceedings

Objectives:

Subchondral bone lysis in calves with septic arthritis is linked to poor outcomes. This retrospective study investigates prognostic factors and treatment outcomes in 42 calves with septic arthritis, specifically exploring the association between subchondral bone lysis and adverse outcomes observed in previous studies. 

Methods:

Medical records of calves diagnosed with septic arthritis at OVC were reviewed and included based on clinical presentation, radiographic or ultrasonographic changes, and positive bacterial culture from synovial fluid.

Results:

Of the 59 septic joints identified, 38% involved multiple joints, with carpal joints (n=19) and stifles (n=16) being the most commonly affected. Concurrent pathologies were present in 55% of cases. Synovial fluid analysis revealed 51 bacterial isolates, predominantly gram-positive cocci (n=12) and Enterobacteriaceae (n=11).

Forty percent of calves (17/42) were euthanized due to poor prognosis or high treatment cost without surgical intervention. Repeated arthroscopic or needle flush increased the odds of survival by 1.58 times (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.23-2.17, p < 0.0001). Additionally, the addition of intraarticular antibiotics or regional perfusion to joint flush, with or without arthrotomy, resulted in 3.3 times greater odds of survival (CI 95% 1.73-9.19, p < 0.001). Notably, osteolysis on radiographs in 32 out of 42 calves was not predictive of survival. Among the 25 surgically treated calves, 56% were discharged.

Conclusions:

In conclusion, prompt aggressive treatment, including systemic and local antibiotics, and repeated needle and/or arthroscopic lavages, can lead to favorable survival outcomes in calves with septic arthritis and subchondral bone lysis.