Management of septic arthritis in a calf — a case report

Abstract

A 4-month-old male calf was presented to the S. A. Quadery Teaching Veterinary Hospital, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University. The complaint was recorded as lameness and swelling of the joint. On the clinical examination, the calf had dehydration (7%), pyrexia, swelling of the right hind fetlock joint. The joint had a foul-smelling wound characterized by purulent exudates. Jugular venipuncture was performed to collect samples for hematology and blood chemistry. Based on the history, physical examination, and laboratory findings, the case was diagnosed as septic arthritis. The treatment plan for this calf included fluid therapy using 500ml of Lactated Ringer’s solution intravenously for 3 days SID, dressing of the wound using 1% povidone iodine solution daily for 10 days, and topical application of penicillin-streptomycin BID for 10 days. Systemic antibiotic oxytetracycline (20mg/kg) was administered intramuscularly at a 72-hour interval for 2 times. Flunixin meglumine (1mg/kg) as NSAID was administered intramuscularly TID for a duration of 5 days, whereas Dexamethasone (1mg/kg) as a steroidal was administered intramuscularly at a 72-hour interval for 2 times. On the 12th day of post-treatment, the prognosis of the case was good, and the calf was bright and alert with good appetite, and the swelling of the joint was resolved and healed. The case report highlights the clinical management of septic arthritis in a calf.