The use of ultrasound diagnostics and infrared thermography in diagnosis of limb diseases in cattle

Abstract

Diseases of the locomotor system of cattle, such as: arthritis, tendinitis, tenovaginitis, bursitis/hygromas and abscesses, have a significant role in the health and production status of animals, because in addition to directly impairing the health of animals, they cause and also lead to drop in milk production, drying off the animals due to the need for treatment, and to the permanent exclusion from the production process and economic exploitation of animals. According to all above, it could be easily concluded that right time diagnosis is one of the most important prerequisites for the adequate treatment of sick animals, and therefore their retention in the production process. The aim of this study was to establish the advantages and disadvantages of ultrasound diagnostics and infrared thermography in the diagnosis of some locomotor diseases in cattle, in field working conditions. This study was conducted on commercial dairy farms, on cows previously clinically diagnosed with some of the following diseases of the locomotor system: arthritis, abscesses and hygromas/bursitis. According to the aim of this study, two most important results could be singled out: 1. Performing infrared thermography represents a more simple and faster diagnostic procedure, without direct contact with the examined animal, which also reduces the level of stress in the animal. However, thermography can detect anatomical, topographic and functional changes, but not the exact localization or a closer characterization of the process itself; 2. When performing an ultrasound examination in the evaluation of exudative diseases of the locomotor system of cattle, taking into account certain criteria of the ultrasound examination (anatomical location of the lesion, echogenicity of present structures, the size of the lesion, the characteristics of the edges of the lesion and the cavity filled with exudate, the presence of overflow phenomena and acoustic artifacts), it is possible to obtain certain data on the amount, type and content of the present exudate, and in this way more closely characterize the nature of the pathological process, as well as the possibilities of treatment.