Abstract
We reported on the examination and treatment of osteochondrosis with subchondral bone deficit in a Japanese black calf. The 41-day-old calf had severe pain, swelling and heat sensation in the right forelimb carpus, and it could not bear weight on the limb. The calf showed a radiolucent area of diameter about 1cm from the proximal end of the third metacarpal bone of the right forelimb in X-ray examination. The synovial fluid was turbid, but bacteria were not observed. Based on these results, we diagnosed osteochondrosis with subchondral bone deficit. On Day 3 after admission, the joint was washed with saline solution, and an anti-inflammatory drug was injected into the joint, but this did not alleviate the symptoms. As an enlarged lesion was observed in X-ray examination on Day 39, curettage and washing were performed through arthroscopic surgery, and intra-articular weekly injections of hyaluronate sodium were adminis tered for 1 month. After the arthroscopic surgery, there was gradual improvement in the symp toms, and repair and osteogenesis in the lesion were seen in X-ray examination on Day 67.
