Читать книгу Bovine Reproduction - Группа авторов - Страница 252

Many practices now have digital radiography and digitally enhanced imaging to allow the practitioner the opportunity to clearly identify problems that could only be guessed at a few years ago. It can be a bit challenging to position the animal to get a good image of some areas, but with experience and sometimes sedation of the patient, a good study can be performed.

Ultrasound is used to evaluate soft tissue injury of ligaments, menisci, and tendon sheaths. Proper technique and an experienced skill set are necessary to fully appreciate abnormalities associated with lameness. An inexperienced operator or one with less than optimal knowledge of bovine anatomy may lead to misdiagnosis of some conditions.

Arthrocentesis is another valuable diagnostic tool for evaluation of lameness directly associated with a joint. Color, viscosity, protein content, and cellularity are used to diagnose the health of the joint and can offer a reasonable prognosis. This procedure can be performed in most practices with laboratory access. Evaluation of cell types and protein level found within the synovial fluid is most important. Cellularity should be less than 1000 cells/μl, and protein should be less than 2.5 g/dl in the normal joint.