30 SPECIAL CATTLE THERAPY 



ACUTE ARTHRITIS 



Acute arthritis is seen quite frequently in cows. 

 The most common seat is the hock. A causative factor 

 in its localization in the hock joint is an excessively 

 deep gutter, especially of cement construction, in 

 dairy barns. 



The symptoms of acute arthritis here are great 

 lameness in the affected leg and swelling of the region 

 of the hock. This swelling is sharply circumscribed, 

 is hot to the touch and xerj painful on pressure. The 

 affected leg is held up in extreme flexion and usually 

 spasmodic jerk}^ movements are gone through, very 

 much as in the horse. 



The temperature is raised considerably and the cow 

 refuses her feed. If the condition is not treated at 

 this time, the acute sjanptoms gradually disappear. 

 A hard, firm swelling, osseous in consistency, remains 

 in the hock and the muscles on the affected side from 

 the hip down, slowly atrophy. Apparently this form 

 of arthritis in cows takes the form of what w^as for- 

 merly spoken of as arthritis deformans. Pus forma- 

 tion is unknoAvn. 



In my experience the best results in treatment have 

 come from blistering. No matter whether the acute 

 or sub-acute stage, a good, sharp blister, repeated as 

 necessary, gives fairly satisfactory results. While the 

 hock usually remains enlarged to some extent, it does 

 not seem to cause any trouble later. Some of these 

 cases recur at intervals. A tonic should always be 

 given in these cases and a box stall provided until 

 lameness disappears. When the blister is applied to 

 the hock, care must be taken to properly protect the 

 udder from the "iDlister. Also w^hen recovery has taken 



