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The objective of the present study was to describe the arthroscopic anatomy of the bovine fetlock joint using one palmar/plantar and three dorsal joint approaches. A comparative anatomic, ultrasonographic and arthroscopic study using 20 cadaveric feet from 13 non-lame adult dairy cows was performed. Arthroscopy was accomplished using a rigid arthroscope to view the synovial cavities with their synovial villi and parts of the following structures: the distal ends of the metacarpal/metatarsal III/IV bones with their trochleae and sagittal ridges, synovial grooves, the articular surfaces of the proximal sesamoid bones, the proximal aspects of the first phalanges, the lateral and medial collateral ligaments, the suspensory ligament and the interdigital ligaments as parts of the interosseus muscle, the cruciate sesamoidean ligaments, the communication site between the lateral and medial pouch in the palmar/plantar area, and dorsally the septum between the lateral and the medial pouch. The technique allowed a good overall view of most relevant structures in the sound cadaver joint. Further investigations are warranted to evaluate the diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic applications of these techniques in the treatment of septic arthritis.

Perivaginal fat protrusion is a complication of soft tissue laceration in cases of dystocia in cattle. The vaginal wall is able to heal around the perivaginal fat prolapse, leaving a pedunculated mass of fat covered with granulation tissue (Hull 1995). When the cow lies down or strains, this mass protrudes through the vulva, and the surface often becomes necrotic due to recurrent exposure. The prolapsed tissue usually originates from the lateral vaginal wall. Pedunculated masses of perivaginal fat are often misdiagnosed as tumours (Hull 1995). Arbeiter and Mayer (1967) have described fat tissue protrusion through the vaginal wall in primiparous as well as in multiparous cows. The protrusion was always located in the region of the hymen (Arbeiter and Mayer 1967). Each case described in their study had a history of assisted calving one to two weeks before being referred for treatment. Particularly at first calving, livestock owners underestimate the time needed for dilatation of soft tissue, leading to premature forced extraction. Different techniques are described for the excision of the protruded fat tissue: Arbeiter and Mayer (1967) propose an episiotomy and the excision of the fat prolapse with a scalpel and the tamponade of the wound cavity with a resorbable sponge (Spongostan Johnson & Johnson Medical GmbH). Hull (1995) proposed making small cuts in the surface of the protruded fat to produce a gradual protrusion of fat from the inside and then the stepwise excision of the fat tissue avoiding the risk of deep dissection and massive bleeding. Wolfe and Carson (1998) finally described the removal of the fat tissue with an emasculator. The aim of the present case series is to describe a novel surgical technique to easily and safely remove prolapsed perivaginal fat tissue. Six adult Eringer cows (numbers 1–6; number 6 was referred …

Helicobacter pylori and Campylobacter fetus are two spiral Gram-negative bacteria that have evolved lifestyles centred on long-term persistence in the mucus gel overlapping epithelial tissues. Since the discovery of H. pylori in 1983 there has been intense interest in this organism because of its relationship to ulcer disease, among other maladies. However, the pathophysiology of H. pylori infection is largely unknown. In this chapter I review the major points that have been learned about H. pylori pathogenesis, and then review what is known about the pathogenesis of C. fetus infection. It is hoped that bringing together information about these two different organisms that contend with parallel constraints can provide new insights.

Campylobacter fetus ss. jejuni has recently been recognised as a human enteric pathogen. Five cases of campylobacter enteritis are described. All five patients had abdominal pain and diarrhœa. Two of the five patients had bloody diarrhœa and relapses. All the patients had been in contact with young dogs which had had diarrhœa. Campylobacter fetus ss. jejuni was isolated from these dogs or from their litter-mates. Canine infection with Campylobacter fetus ss. jejuni may be an important source of infection causing diarrhœa in man.