Cause Of Lameness Research Articles

A prospective cohort study of digital cushion and corium thickness. Part 1: Associations with body condition, lesion incidence, and proximity to calving

Claw horn disruption lesions (CHDL) are a major cause of lameness in dairy cattle and are likely a result of excessive forces being applied to the germinal epithelium that produces the claw horn. The digital cushion is a connective tissue structure, containing depots of adipose tissue, that sits beneath the distal phalanx and has been shown to be thicker in fatter cows. Body condition score (BCS) loss is a risk factor for CHDL, and one possible explanation is that fat is mobilized from the digital cushion during negative energy balance, causing the digital cushion to thin and lose force-dissipating capacity, leading to disruption of claw horn growth. This prospective cohort study investigated the association between measures of body fat and sole soft tissue (SST) thickness (a combined measure of the corium and digital cushion beneath the distal phalanx) in a longitudinal manner. The SST of 179 cows in 2 high-yielding dairy herds were measured at 5 assessment points between 8 wk before and 35 wk postcalving. The BCS, back fat thickness (BFT), and lesion incidence were recorded. Data were analyzed in a 4-level mixed effects regression model, with the outcome being SST thickness beneath the flexor tuberosity of the distal phalanx. Data from 827 assessment points were available for analysis. The overall mean of SST was 4.99 mm (standard deviation: 0.95). The SST was thickest 8 wk before calving (5.22 mm, standard deviation: 0.91) and thinnest 1 wk postcalving (4.68 mm, standard deviation: 0.87), suggesting an effect of calving on SST. The BFT was positively correlated with SST in the model with a small effect size (a 10 mm decrease in BFT corresponded with a 0.13 mm decrease in SST), yet the nadir of BFT was 11.0 mm at 9 to 17 wk postcalving (when SST was ∼4.95 mm), rather than occurring with the nadir of SST immediately after calving. The SST also varied with other variables [e.g., cows that developed a sole ulcer or severe sole hemorrhage during the study had thinner SST (-0.24 mm)], except when a sole ulcer was present, when it was thicker (+0.53 mm). Cows that developed lesions had a thinner digital cushion before the lesion occurrence, which became thickened with sole ulcer presence, perhaps representing inflammation. Furthermore, although BFT was correlated with SST over time, SST may also have been influenced by other factors such as integrity of the suspensory apparatus, which could have a major effect on CHDL. Measures of body fat likely contributed to having thin SST, but other factors including calving, herd, and lesion presence also had an effect.

INJURIES OF THE SAGITTAL GROOVE OF THE PROXIMAL PHALANX IN WARMBLOOD HORSES DETECTED WITH LOW-FIELD MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING: 19 CASES (2007-2016).

Sagittal groove injuries of the proximal phalanx are an important cause of lameness in performance horses. The purpose of this retrospective case series study was to describe standing low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of these injuries in a group of Warmblood horses. Horses with an MRI diagnosis of sagittal groove injuries involving the proximal phalanx and that had follow-up MRI and clinical outcome information were included. Findings from clinical examinations, diagnostic tests, and other imaging modalities were recorded. All MRI studies were retrieved for re-evaluation by an experienced, board-certified veterinary radiologist. A total of 19 horses met inclusion criteria. All horses had MRI lesions consistent with unilateral or bilateral sagittal groove injuries of the proximal phalanx and abnormal mineralization of the sagittal ridge of the third metacarpal/metatarsal bone. Fifteen horses (79%) had concurrent osteoarthritis of the affected metacarpophalangeal/metatarsophalangeal joint. Eighteen horses received conservative therapy and all horses still had osseous abnormalities detected at the time of follow-up MRI. Thirteen horses (68.5%) were still lame at the time of follow-up, whereas the other six horses (31.5%) had become sound and returned to the previous level of exercise. Findings indicated that, for mature Warmblood horses, acute or chronic injuries of the sagittal groove of the proximal phalanx may have variable standing low-field MRI characteristics. Based on this sample of 19 horses, findings also indicated that the prognosis for performance soundness in horses diagnosed with sagittal groove injury of the proximal phalanx and concurrent osteoarthritis is poor.

A report of the Maquet procedure for the management of cranial cruciate ligament rupture in a dog - a case report

Cranial cruciate ligament rupture is the major cause of lameness and degenerative joint disease in the canine stifle. The cause of this disease is multifactorial, especially involving degenerative and inflammatory changes. Many techniques have been described for the management of this condition, and current recommendations include the use of corrective osteotomies, most recently using the Maquet (or modified Maquet) procedure. This technique is fundamentally similar to the classical tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA), but without the use of the bone plate. The main advantages of using this technique are a shorter operative time and less use of implants. The main complication of this technique is an increased risk of tibial crest fracture. This report describes the Maquet technique for the treatment of a three-year-old male West White Terrier dog with rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament. Cruciate ligament rupture was diagnosed by a positive cranial tibial drawer test. Mediolateral stifle radiography performed under anesthesia with the stifle in 135° of extension demonstrated a tibial plateau angle of 22°. A cage of six millimeters was necessary to allow advancement. The Maquet technique produced excellent post-operative results, including early weight-bearing and neutralization of the cranial tibial drawer. The consolidation time of the osteotomy was 63 days.

Clinical study evaluating the accuracy of injecting the distal tarsal joints in the horse.

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the centrodistal (CD) and tarsometatarsal (TMT) joints is a common cause of lameness in horses. Intra-articular diagnostic anaesthesia and/or therapeutic injection are relied upon to help diagnose and treat many horses with OA of these joints. The objective of this study was to determine the accuracy of arthrocentesis of the CD and TMT joints using a sample population of equine surgeons and surgery residents. Randomised experimental study. Six operators each injected four CD and four TMT joints in 12 sedated horses. The operators were randomly assigned to inject either the left CD and right TMT or the right CD and left TMT on four randomly assigned horses. The joints were injected with a 4 ml solution of contrast medium (2 ml), sterile saline (1.5 ml) and amikacin (0.5 ml). A minimum of two radiographs of each joint was obtained to evaluate the presence of contrast medium within the target joint. The TMT joint was successfully injected in 23/24 joints (96% accuracy). The CD joint was successfully injected in 10/24 joints (42% accuracy). Communication between the TMT and CD joints was visible in 26% of successful TMT injections. Communication between the CD and TMT joints was visible in 20% of successful CD injections. Despite specific requests to do so, we were unable to standardise the injection technique across all operators. The accuracy of injecting the TMT and CD joints of sedated horses was 96 and 42%, respectively. The CD joint was frequently missed with contrast medium being placed in the periarticular tissues. These data support the clinical impression of the difficulty of injecting the CD joint and suggests that practitioners should utilise ancillary methods, such as radiographs, to ensure proper needle placement.

Incidence of lameness and association of cause and severity of lameness on the outcome for cattle on six commercial beef feedlots.

OBJECTIVE To describe the incidence of specific causes of lameness and the associations of cause and severity of lameness on the outcome for cattle on commercial feedlots. DESIGN Dynamic population longitudinal study. ANIMALS Cattle on 6 commercial feedlots in Kansas and Nebraska during a 12-month period (mean daily population, 243,602 cattle; range, 223,544 to 252,825 cattle). PROCEDURES Feedlot personnel were trained to use a standardized diagnostic algorithm and locomotion score (LMS) system to identify and classify cattle by cause and severity of lameness. Information regarding lameness cause, severity, and treatments was recorded for individual cattle. Cattle were monitored until they left the feedlot (ie, outcome; shipped with pen mates [shipped], culled prematurely because of lameness [realized], or euthanized or died [died]). Incidence rates for various causes of lameness, LMSs, and outcomes were calculated. The respective associations of cause of lameness and LMS with outcome were evaluated. RESULTS Lameness was identified in 2,532 cattle, resulting in an overall lameness incidence rate of 1.04 cases/100 animal-years. Realized and mortality rates were 0.096 cattle/100 animal-years and 0.397 deaths/100 animal-years, respectively. Injury to the proximal portion of a limb was the most frequently identified cause of lameness followed by undefined lameness, septic joint or deep digital sepsis, and interdigital phlegmon (foot rot). As the LMS (lameness severity) at lameness detection increased, the percentage of cattle that died but not the percentage of cattle that were realized increased. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results provided clinically useful prognostic guidelines for management of lame feedlot cattle.

Luxación coxofemoral en un pony Shetland: descripción de un caso

Coxofemoral luxation is a relatively rare cause of lameness in horses, observed in foals and miniature horses. As causes of luxation, severe trauma, ilium fractures, violent overextension and patellar fixation, have been described. A case of a Shetland pony is described, referred to the Complejo Hospitalario Veterinario de Corozal- Universidad de Panama, which had a 4/5 lameness of the left hind limb and muscle atrophy of the biceps femoris and gluteus. It was decided to perform a simple digital radiography of the pelvis, and a coxofemoral joint luxation was observed. Once made the diagnosis, it was decided to perform surgical treatment, in terms of an ostectomy and excision of the femoral head. The prognosis is reserved in these lesions, but in our case, monitoring was carried out for 5 months, where less muscle atrophy was observed, but still remained 2/5 degree lameness.

The Major Cause of Lameness and Associated Risk Factors in Working Donkey in and around Hawassa Town, Ethiopia

Across sectional study survey of the major work related lameness in donkey in and around Hawassa was under taken to determine the main causes of lameness in working donkeys and associated risk factor s. A total of 205 lame donkeys have been examined and their owners were interviewed to assess the possible cause of lameness and the type of management conditions. The result reveal that donkeys found in study area mainly cart pulling donkeys (96.5%) and about 99.5% of working donkeys are male. The result of questioner survey and visual study reveal that the main causes of lameness in donkey are ;28.3% is muscular and tendon problem,21.5% is joint problem,5.4% is bone problem, 20.0% is tendon problems,13.2% is hoof problem and 27.0% is other associated risk factor were shown to cause lameness in working donkey with the extreme significant (p<0.0001).the major types of lameness encountered during the study was supportive leg lameness (47.3%) and with the least of non weight bearing lameness were encountered with the significant of (p<0.0001).the result of this study suggested that in spite of varies use of donkey; they are confronted by series of health and welfare problem. Joint problem, tendon problem, hoof problem, bone problem and other relative risk factor; abusing, over loading, over working and unnecessary neglect and general maltreatment that are causing lameness are still prevalent health and welfare problem. The public veterinary clinic is almost lacking medical equipment and medicine; meant foot treating of lame donkey, therefore, further study on lameness and welfare constraints hindering the efficient use of donkey in region is of paramount importance.

Signal changes in standing magnetic resonance imaging of osseous injury at the origin of the suspensory ligament in four Thoroughbred racehorses under tiludronic acid treatment.

ABSTRACTProblems associated with the proximal metacarpal region, such as an osseous injury associated with tearing of Sharpey’s fibers or an avulsion fracture of the origin of the suspensory ligament (OISL), are important causes of lameness in racehorses. In the present study, four Thoroughbred racehorses (age range, 2–4 years) were diagnosed as having forelimb OISL and assessed over time by using standing magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI). At the first sMRI examination, all horses had 3 characteristic findings, including low signal intensity within the trabecular bone of the third metacarpus on T1-weighted images, intermediate-to-high signal intensity surrounded by a hypointense rim on T2*-weighted images, and high signal intensity on fat-suppressed images. Following the sMRI examination, all horses received 50 mg of tiludronic acid by intravenous regional limb perfusion once weekly for 3 weeks. Attenuation of the high signal intensity on T2*-weighted and fat-suppressed images was observed on follow-up sMRI in 3 horses. Following rest and rehabilitation, these 3 horses successfully returned to racing. In contrast, the other horse that did not show attenuation of the high signal intensity failed to return to racing. To our knowledge, this is the first report of OISL in Thoroughbred racehorses assessed over time by sMRI under tiludronic acid treatment. Our findings support the use of sMRI for examining lameness originating from the proximal metacarpal region to refine the timing of returning to exercise based on follow-up examinations during the recuperation period.

The therapeutic efficacy of allyl isothiocyanate in cows with bovine digital dermatitis.

Bovine digital dermatitis (BDD) is the most prevalent infectious cause of lameness in cattle. Because Treponema infection is a major etiology of BDD, the most common treatment of BDD is an antibiotic. Nonetheless, dairy cows require a withdrawal period after antibiotic treatment before their milk can be marketed. To address the problem, in this study, we tested whether 3 nonantibiotic agents (used separately)—allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), sodium alginate, and calcium hydroxide—alleviate BDD lesions in dairy cows. The AITC treatment improved the BDD lesions, whereas the sodium alginate and calcium hydroxide treatments did not. Therapeutic efficacy of AITC was similar to that of lincomycin, a topical antibiotic prescribed for BDD. These results suggest that AITC is a promising nonantibiotic agent for BDD treatment in dairy cows.

Clinical management of foot rot in goats: A case report of lameness

Objective: Foot rot is one of the most important causes of lameness and economic losses in sheep and goats world-wide. This case report described the clinical management of lameness due to foot rot in two female Boer goats aging 4-year both from two different farms in Selangor, Malaysia. Materials and methods: The goats were presented with the complaint of non-weight bearing lameness of the right forelimbs. The hoof was broken and the interdigital space was filled with dirt and exuding a foul smelling odor. Results: On clinical examination, the goats were looking as dull and isolated with body condition scores of 2.5/5 (case 1) and 3/5 (case 2), respectively. The goats had a rectal temperature of 38.8°C and 40.4°C, pulse rate of 80 and 100 beats per minutes, and respiratory rate of 44 and 24 cycles per minute, respectively. Blood sample was collected for complete blood count and serum biochemistry from case 1 only. The hoof was thoroughly washed and disinfected. Parenteral administrations of Flunixin meglumine (dosed at 2.2 mg/kg bwt, IM) thrice daily and Oxytetracycline (dosed at 20 mg/kg bwt, IM case 1) once and Sulfadiazine+trimethoprim (dosed at 1 mL/16 kg bwt, IM case 2) for 3 days. Topical oxytetracycline was applied to the area for 5 days. Conclusion: The prognosis was very good as there was a significant improvement in the hoof injury of both animals. The goats were recovered after 7 days of treatment. http://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2017.d195

Subclinical ultrasonographic abnormalities of the suspensory ligament branches in National Hunt racehorses.

Suspensory ligament branch (SLB) desmopathy is a common cause of lameness and an important cause of lost training in the Thoroughbred racing industry. Studies have assessed the impact of insertional injuries of the SLB on the careers of flat racehorses and established the prevalence of subclinical ultrasonographic SLB abnormalities in this population, but little work has investigated SLB injury in National Hunt (NH) racehorses. To investigate the prevalence of subclinical ultrasonographic SLB abnormalities in NH racehorses with no clinical signs or history of SLB injury and to establish the cross-sectional area (CSA) of SLBs in this population. Cross-sectional study using data collected from horses on an NH yard. Ultrasonographic examination of forelimb SLBs in 62 horses on a single NH yard was performed. Images were graded according to a previously reported system. CSA measurements were obtained from transverse images. Nineteen of 62 horses had at least one SLB with grade 2 ultrasonographic abnormalities. Grade 2 ultrasonographic abnormalities occurred more frequently in the medial than the lateral SLB (P = 0.05). The medial SLB insertional CSA was significantly larger (P<0.001) than that of the lateral SLB. Length of time on the yard (and therefore available veterinary history) is variable in this population. One in three NH racehorses without history or clinical signs of SLB injury had at least one SLB with a grade 2 ultrasonographic abnormality. The medial branch was over-represented. The medial SLB insertional CSA is larger than the lateral and thus comparison with the corresponding branch in the contralateral limb is recommended to avoid misdiagnosis of medial SLB enlargement.

Histological Changes in the Deep Branch of the Lateral Palmar Nerve of Horses With Induced Proximal Suspensory Desmitis

Desmitis of the proximal aspect of the suspensory ligament, or interosseus medius muscle, of the pelvic or thoracic limb is a commonly diagnosed cause of lameness of performance horses. Despite medical treatments available for horses with proximal suspensory desmitis (PSD), most horses treated medically for PSD of a pelvic limb remain persistently lame; this persistent lameness may be the result of a neuropathy caused by compression of nerves by an enlarged suspensory ligament. Few horses with PSD of a thoracic limb remain persistently lame. Based on the results of reports citing successful treatment of horses chronically lame because of PSD of a pelvic or thoracic limb, by excising a portion of the deep branch of the lateral plantar or palmar nerve (DBLPlN/DBLPaN), we theorized that persistent lameness of horses caused by PSD of a thoracic limb may also be due to compression of nerves that supply the ligament. The aim of this study was to determine if histological signs of compression neuropathy of the DBLPaN are present in horses with PSD in a thoracic limb. To test this hypothesis, we induced PSD by instilling collagenase into the ligament and then examined the DBLPaN after harvesting this nerve 2 months later. We found that the DBLPaNs of all treated limbs showed histologic changes suggestive of nerve compression. We conclude that studies examining the DBLPaN of horses with naturally occurring PSD for histological evidence of neuropathy are warranted.

Deep sequencing metagenomic analysis of experimentally induced bovine digital dermatitis lesions

Bovine digital dermatitis (DD) is a leading cause of lameness in both dairy and beef cattle in the US and much of the world. Previous work by our laboratory and others has demonstrated that metagenomic analysis of naturally occurring digital dermatitis biopsies yields evidence of a complex polymicrobial disease process. We have demonstrated that lesions develop through a systematic progression of morphologic changes that are each associated with significantly different microbial communities. While these studies have provided insights into the pathogenesis of the disease process, they are often complicated by confounding associated with temporal differences in the time or season of biopsy collection, chronicity of the lesion, and the lack of baseline metagenomic data for each foot prior to lesion development. The goal of this study was to utilize a recently developed and highly reliable experimental lesion induction model of digital dermatitis to collect a large number of metagenomic samples with minimal confounding.

Metagenomic evaluation of the dairy farm environment and facilities for evidence of digital dermatitis-associated bacteria

Bovine digital dermatitis is a common polybacterial disease process and a leading cause of lameness in dairy and beef cattle. Mature lesions are associated with a very high abundance of Treponema spp organisms, while developing lesions have a larger diversity with different populations of organisms. This study was designed to utilize 16S-based phylogenomics to evaluate a variety of environmental samples obtained from various areas of a dairy farm for the presence of bacterial organisms associated with digital dermatitis lesions.

Bacterial isolates and factors associated with infection and outcome in calves with septic arthritis

Lameness is an important problem in cattle and is often associated with an important economic loss in beef and milk production. Because of the pain, it is becoming an important welfare issue and represents 1 of the major culling causes in dairy herds. The joint is the second most important cause of lameness after the digit.&#x0D; There is in an important lack in the literature regarding prognosis and factors associated with septic arthritis in calves. The objective of the study is to determine clinical characteristics, clinicopathologic data, and bacterial culture results associated with septic arthritis in calves less than 180 days old and to establish long-term prognosis of the condition.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Guided Treatment of Equine Distal Interphalangeal Joint Collateral Ligaments: 2009-2014.

To determine the outcome of treating distal interphalangeal joint collateral ligament (DIJCL) desmopathy using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided ligament injection. Medical records of 13 adult horses diagnosed with DIJCL desmopathy using low-field MRI and treated by MRI-guided ligament injection of mesenchymal stem cells and/or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) were reviewed. Information collected included signalment, MRI diagnosis, treatment type, time to resolution of lameness, and level of exercise after treatment. Collateral ligament inflammation was diagnosed as a cause of lameness in 13 horses. MRI was used to guide the injection of the injured DIJCL. All lameness attributed to DIJCL desmopathy resolved with the resulting level of performance at expected (10) or less than expected (3). Injection of the DIJCL can be safely completed in horses standing in a low-field magnet guided by MRI as previously demonstrated in cadaver specimens. The positive response in all horses suggests that administration of stem cells or PRP along with rest and appropriate shoeing may be a safe and useful treatment for DIJCL desmopathy.

Radiographic localisation of the entheses of the equine stifle

Injury to the tendons and ligaments of the equine stifle is a common cause of lameness in horses. Individual radiographic localisation of each tendon and ligament of the stifle has not been previously reported or demonstrated in multiple radiographic projections. To create a series of radiographs identifying the origins and/or insertions of the tendons and ligaments of the equine stifle. Descriptive study of radiographic anatomy. The location of all entheses were determined by gross dissection. The proximal tibia and fibula, distal femur, patella and menisci were isolated from one horse and used as a template. A series of 4 radiographs was obtained with each enthesis identified with barium paste. The radiographic landmarks for each enthesis were described and the best projection(s) for evaluation of each structure of interest identified. Forty-eight radiographic images were produced that demonstrated the best radiographic projections to define each enthesis. Radiography is the imaging modality most frequently used to evaluate the equine stifle. The images presented here will serve as a guide for evaluating radiographs of the equine stifle, particularly identifying avulsions and enthesopathies of ligamentous and tendinous origins and insertions.

Inter-observer agreement for clinical examinations of foot lesions of sheep

In sheep, the diagnosis of foot lesions is routinely based on physical examination of the hoof. Correct diagnosis is important for the effective treatment, prevention and control of both infectious and non-infectious causes of lameness. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the level of inter-observer agreement for clinical examination of ovine foot lesions. Eight observers of varying experience, training and occupation performed foot examinations on a total of 1158 sheep from 38 farms across North England and Wales. On each farm, a group of two to four observers independently examined a sample of 24 to 30 sheep to diagnose the presence or absence of specific foot lesions including white line lesions (WL), contagious ovine digital dermatitis (CODD), footrot (FR), inter-digital dermatitis (ID) and toe granuloma (TG). The inter-observer agreement of foot lesion assessments was examined using Fleiss kappa (κ), and Cohen's κ examined the paired agreement between the test standard observer (TSO) and each observer. Scoring differences with the TSO were examined as the percentage of scoring errors and assessed for evidence of systematic scoring bias. With the exception of WL (maximum error rate 33.3%), few scoring differences with the TSO occurred (maximum error rate 3.3%). This suggests that observers can achieve good levels of reliability when diagnosing most of the commonly observed foot conditions associated with lameness in sheep.

CORRELATION OF ARTICULAR CARTILAGE THICKNESS MEASUREMENTS MADE WITH MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, MAGNETIC RESONANCE ARTHROGRAPHY, AND COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC ARTHROGRAPHY WITH GROSS ARTICULAR CARTILAGE THICKNESS IN THE EQUINE METACARPOPHALANGEAL JOINT

Osteoarthritis of the metacarpophalangeal joint is common cause of lameness in equine athletes, and is hallmarked by articular cartilage damage. An accurate, noninvasive method for measuring cartilage thickness would be beneficial to screen for cartilage injury and allow for prompt initiation of interventional therapy. The objective of this methods comparison study was to compare computed tomographic arthrography (CTA), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) measurements of articular cartilage thickness with gross measurements in the metacarpophalangeal joint of Thoroughbred horses. Fourteen cadaveric, equine thoracic limbs were included. Limbs were excluded from the study if pathology of the metacarpophalangeal articular cartilage was observed with any imaging modality. Articular cartilage thickness was measured in nine regions of the third metacarpal bone and proximal phalanx on sagittal plane MRI sequences. After intra-articular contrast administration, the measurements were repeated on sagittal plane MRA and sagittal CTA reformations. In an effort to increase cartilage conspicuity, the volume of intra-articular contrast was increased from 14.5 ml, to maximal distention for the second set of seven limbs. Mean and standard deviation values were calculated, and linear regression analysis was used to determine correlations between gross and imaging measurements of cartilage thickness. This study failed to identify one imaging test that consistently yielded measurements correlating with gross cartilage thickness. Even with the use of intra-articular contrast, cartilage surfaces were difficult to differentiate in regions where the cartilage surfaces of the proximal phalanx and third metacarpal bone were in close contact with each other.

Tips and tricks when faced with a non-localisable lameness

The non-localisable lameness is one of the most frustrating conditions encountered in veterinary orthopaedics. This article focuses on three techniques achievable in primary care practice that may assist in locating the source of the problem, in addition to a cost-effective referral option in cases where the cause remains elusive. Neurological examination should be employed in cases where an initial orthopaedic examination does not localise the lameness. Should a neurological cause be suspected, a significantly different diagnostic process may be required when compared to orthopaedic causes of lameness. Arthrocentesis and intra-articular anaesthesia can be useful diagnostic tools when faced with a case of non-localisable lameness, and are easily performed in the primary care environment with minimal associated risks and costs. In cases where the source of lameness remains unknown, nuclear scintigraphy represents an under-utilised option that may assist in lameness localisation.