Idiopathic septic gonitis in five Holstein-Friesian heifers

Abstract

Five cases of gonitis in young cows are reported. In all cases lameness was severe with no weight bearing on the affected limbs. The joints were swollen. No organisms were isolated from the fluids aspirated from the joints but cytological examination showed large numbers of neutrophils, and biochemical analysis showed increases in the activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase.