Eitrige Klauengelenksentzündung beim Rind

In a randomised prospective study, it has been the aim of this thesis to compare resection of the coffin joint as a means to retain the claw with amputation of the claw in cattle affected with purulent arthritis of the coffin joint. The study was undertaken among 52 patients of the Clinic for Cattle Diseases, Foundation School of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, which were diagnosed with purulent arthritis of the coffin joints of the hind limbs. On a randomised basis, one half of the animals had one of their claws amputated as an exarticulation in the pastern joint with preservation of the coronary groove. The other half of the animals underwent a resection of the coffin joint through plantar approach and a resection of the distal sesamoid bone. Here the strain was taken off the operated claw via a wooden block fixed under the healthy claw, further a tipping claw prevention according to CLEMENTE (1986) was done. To diagnose purulent arthritis of the coffin joint, both clinical and radiological examinations were necessary. The radiological examination was especially important to determine the extent of osseus changes. As an additional diagnostic aid a sonographic examination was used in order to detect changes of the common synovial sheath of flexor tendons. The postoperative healing process was free of complications in 38 of the 52 animals (73,1 %). 28 days post operationem, healing was significantly advanced in animals with resection of the coffin joint as compared to animals after amputation of the claw. Six animals with claw amputation and eight animals with coffin joint resection showed postoperative complications of different kinds. All complications were cured. Within 360 days post operationem, animals with coffin joint resection showed significantly more new claw diseases of the other limb than animals with claw amputation. Here the probable reason is that animals go lame for a longer time after coffin joint resection and therefore overwork the other limb. Until day 28 post operationem, animals with coffin joint resection showed a significantly higher degree of lameness than animals after claw amputation. In eight cases of animals with claw amputation, the partner claw became damaged. Of these, two animals were culled due to this disease. The others were able to be cured, but only with high and economically questionable expenditure. There was just one case where the partner claw became diseased among animals with coffin joint resection. Here the operated claw was the problem with twelve cases of infection. Reasons suggested were faulty strain on the operated claw and the missing shock absorbent pad cushion. After 180 days, 52,9 % and after 300 to 660 days, 20 % of the animals with coffin joint resection showed tipping claws on the operated ones despite tipping claw prophylaxis. In total, after coffin joint resection only three animals showed complete osseus ankylosis of the coffin joint. For animals with coffin joint resection, postoperative expenditure was higher than for animals after claw amputation. Animals after coffin joint resection needed significantly more changing of bandages during the first 360 days post operationem. Postoperative milk yield and the number of new calvings did not show any statistically provable difference between coffin joint resection and claw amputation. During the first 360 days post operationem, cullings did not significantly differ between the two groups (coffin joint resection 53,8 %; digital amputation 46,2 %). Various factors such as age, reproductive status, stabling, pasturing, additional claw diseases, and quality of claw horn did not show any influence on the average life span. The higher intra- and postoperative expenditure for cattle with resection of the coffin joint cannot be compensated for by a longer life span of these animals. Yet a problematic point is that among animals with claw amputation the partner claw becomes more frequently diseased. This often leads to culling of the animal. Thus for young valuable cattle, which justify higher expenditure, a coffin joint resection should be recommended.