Gorignak
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Post by Gorignak on Oct 12, 2013 8:46:03 GMT -5
Has anyone dealt with a case of septic arthritis? Our situation has been resolved, but I would trade info.There are several excellent British Veterinary books available ($75.-$125 ) online outlining early diagnosis and treatment. Without a keen eye and quick sense, the outcome is invariably fatal.Even quickly resolved, the animal will seldom recover capability to enter or be returned to breeding stock.
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Post by Olga on Oct 12, 2013 10:15:59 GMT -5
Oh no, was it one of yours? Was it the bull calf with damaged joint?
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Gorignak
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Post by Gorignak on Oct 12, 2013 11:05:33 GMT -5
No, Olga...it was our first love.....Sassy. We are completing a comprehensive necropsy now. The results are startling, ultra informative, well recorded, but only suitable for an adult audience. We have had a terrible, but ultimately heroic and balanced month. She exceeded all that could have been expected of her. The kids, Judy and I performed , at every step, at a Veterinary University level. Everyone has gone through all the stages of grief...and are now embracing the vast range of lessons learned.
This is NOT common, and by no means a Dexter problem. BUT....it is a problem that surfaces regularly, though infrequently in large Dairy and Beef herds......The car wreck (scours....pneumonia) is far more likely to kill you than lightning (Septic Arthritis). However, I have been hit by lightning several times (within 30 feet).....so, I tend to embrace worrying about the outliers. There is a 12 hour window, and no obvious symptoms before loss is certain.
We have a full spectrum of photos, and a full range of obscure links to references online. No need to trash the forum with the gory details....but I will provide them to ANY who want them...PM me.
Thanks Sassy...the best was such fun.
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Post by midhilldexters on Oct 12, 2013 12:34:55 GMT -5
So sorry for your loss. I'd be very interested in learning about it, you can send info to my email address Midhilldexters@yahoo.com
Losing a cow is hard on everyone, been there myself this year also so my thoughts are with you.
Carol K
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Gorignak
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Post by Gorignak on Oct 12, 2013 13:20:40 GMT -5
Thanks Carol. Rough month. In the middle of all this, Rocky Altic, of "Hillbilly Butter Making" fame, dropped dead. We helped load out THREE pickup loads of trophies from his house. There were two pickup loads of computer printed pedigrees. He was one of the best Flemish Giant Rabbit breeders in the world, and my twin daughters mentor. They inherited untold $$$ worth of his core breeding stock.
That's life....give a little, take a little.
I will collate our photos and write up a timeline. I will send the overview to all who are interested.Just let me know...here or email me. NOT that it is not a valid topic for discussion here. It is probably TOO obscure, and too unpleasant to take precedence over problem births, scours, pneumonia, bloat and the more common vehicles of grief that we all attend to daily.
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Post by legendrockranch on Oct 12, 2013 13:49:15 GMT -5
So sorry to hear of you and your families losses. It's never easy.
Did you take samples of the infection and run a pathology on them? I would also be interested in seeing the pictures.
Barb
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Post by ctownson on Oct 12, 2013 16:06:09 GMT -5
I would be very interested to learn more about this incident as well. Once you have your analysis together, please email me also. Sorry for such a difficult time! Charles@beavertreefarm.com
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Post by emgiger on Oct 12, 2013 16:16:45 GMT -5
Hi Mike,
I am so sorry for the losses you and your family have experienced lately. Septic arthritis.....wow, that is quite rare in cattle. If at some point you felt like documenting the diagnosis and the sequence of events that transpired it would be a good learning lesson for all. If you are not up to it, that is completely understandable as well. Do you know, was there an injury involved? Sometimes there is an injury that more or less attracts or captures the bacteria from the bloodstream, sometimes there is no explanation for why bacteria seeded an area. Other causes could be M. Bovis, pneumonia, etc. It would be interesting to know the necropsy results and if they cultured anything from the joint. RIP Sassy, sounds like you were much loved!
Eileen kande.giger@gmail.com
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Post by ssrdex on Oct 12, 2013 16:52:30 GMT -5
Sorry Mike, seems the whole dexter experience has been rough for you guys, you've certainly had you share of problems. I'd appreciate being sent all you have as well. jmdowty67@gmail.com Joel
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Post by carragheendexters on Oct 12, 2013 17:38:36 GMT -5
So sorry to hear this news Mike. It always happens to your favourites. Murphy's Law! It is so hard to treat, and you have to be at it quickly and aggressively to have any chance, and costs big dollars to if you go the road of joint lavage and debridement. Which joint did she have it in? Had she had a previous injury?
We have had it in calves and lambs (joint ill) but never in an adult animal. We have usually saved the calves and lambs (currently treating a lamb now, had diarrhoea) but they can still end up with chronic problems that means their demise.
It sounds that you are going to get all of your problems in cattle in your first year or 2, hopefully that means you are going to get years of trouble free sailing to come. regards Louise
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Post by Olga on Oct 13, 2013 0:44:32 GMT -5
Sassy, is that one of this year's calves? So sorry to hear it! You know how I like to learn, Mike, so yes, please, send it me the details. I'm getting pretty good at identifying conditions and since this one's deadly should add it to my list. Once again, condolences on the loss. I mourned the loss of Lila, our first cow, and of her potential as a breeding animal for a very long time........
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Gorignak
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Post by Gorignak on Oct 14, 2013 9:09:50 GMT -5
Will have all the info and pictures arranged in a day or two, and send them out to all who requested.
45 lbs at birth.....315 lbs at 111 days... Is that too fast growth She was nursing, grazing, and had just started some alfalfa pellets and Calf Manna in prep for weaning.
Thanks all for the thoughts. Louise.....your "outback" familiarity has me on the road to consider general environmental insults. Few on this forum understand what a remote, varied and rugged environment we deal with daily. First examination was for telltale fang marks. BIG timber rattlers here. A few Western Diamondbacks, and plenty of Pygmy Rattlers. Drop your guard around my farm and you are .....well, in a trick......fast. About 20 copperheads killed around the house this summer....a neighbor killed.....118.....Not that. X ray revealed no break....of course, soft tissue damage, muscle tears, or other "crash, bang" insults would not show up...BUT, the calf never limped. Have you ever isolated a cause, Louise. Right shoulder/elbow, Point of elbow were the focus of the worst. Unfortunately, necropsy revealed.........well........."To be Continued".
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Post by Morning Star Farm on Oct 14, 2013 9:24:57 GMT -5
Hi Mike, sorry for your loss. We have a calf that we treated for join ill not sure if this is the same issue? This is the first time in 7 years that we had any issues with a calf so I would consider ourselves very fortunate. I would also like to get the information when you have time to get it together. thanks Carole
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Post by wvdexters on Oct 14, 2013 22:05:56 GMT -5
Mike, I'm so sorry to hear about Sassy. What a loss. She was a beautiful young heifer. And your daughters' friend also. You all have really been through it.
I've never even heard of septic arthritis. Yes, I would also like to see your information when you have it available. Thanks
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Post by Fran on Oct 15, 2013 13:33:34 GMT -5
So sorry for your loss! I would also like to see your info when you have it available. sfrollingacresfarm@gmail.com Thanks!
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