Case study: acute joint sepsis in a pedigree Charolais bull calf

Sepsis of the distal interphalangeal joint is a commonly encountered problem in bovine practice. Treatments include conservative management, joint resection and digit amputation; however all of these options are associated with poor long-term outcomes. Referral for arthroscopic treatment may be an economically viable option for certain selected cases. This article describes such a case in detail.