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Long Term Outcome of Conservative Management or Surgical Treatment of Bovine Spastic Paresis: 79 Cases
Author(s) -
De Vlamynck Caroline,
Pille Frederik,
Vlaminck Lieven
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
veterinary surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1532-950X
pISSN - 0161-3499
DOI - 10.1111/vsu.12432
Subject(s) - medicine , paresis , neurectomy , surgery , spastic , cerebral palsy , pathology , physical therapy , alternative medicine
Objective To report the long term clinical outcome of calves treated surgically or managed conservatively for bovine spastic paresis of the gastrocnemius (BSP‐G), quadriceps femoris muscle (BSP‐Q), or mixed muscle involvement (BSP‐M). Study Design Retrospective case study. Animals Calves (n = 79) with bovine spastic paresis. Methods Medical records of calves treated by partial tibial neurectomy or managed conservatively for bovine spastic paresis were analyzed for sex, breed, lineage history, and the onset, duration, and severity of clinical signs. Cases were classified as unilateral or bilateral BSP‐G, BSP‐Q, or BSP‐M. Long term follow‐up information was obtained by telephone questionnaire. Results The study group included 26 BSP‐G (33%), 16 BSP‐Q (20%), and 37 BSP‐M (47%) calves. BSP‐M and BSP‐Q calves were significantly more bilaterally affected compared to BSP‐G calves. Twenty‐five of 26 BSP‐G calves were treated surgically; 86% had complete resolution of clinical signs. Twenty‐nine of 37 BSP‐M calves were treated surgically; 81.5% improved, but none completely recovered. In all of the conservatively managed BSP‐M calves, clinical signs gradually worsened. None of the BSP‐Q calves were treated surgically; in 66.7%, clinical signs gradually worsened and 33.3% of calves spontaneously improved. Conclusion Partial tibial neurectomy is advocated for the treatment of BSP‐G and in selected cases of BSP‐M. However, only partial resolution of clinical signs should be expected for BSP‐M. No surgical treatment exists for BSP‐Q calves, although spontaneous improvement is possible.