Systemic Links: Identifying lameness as a sign of non-musculoskeletal issues (e.g., gangrenous mastitis causing altered gait).
Localization: Visual gait assessment followed by detailed examination of all four limbs.
Hoof Inspection: Trimming excess horn to reveal puncture wounds, abscesses, or "sled-runner" deformities from neglect.
Palpation: Checking for heat, swelling, muscle atrophy, and joint pain.
Advanced Diagnostics:
Arthrocentesis: Sampling synovial fluid to differentiate between septic arthritis (neutrophils) and CAE (mononuclear cells).
Imaging: Radiography to confirm fractures, epiphysitis (growth plate changes), and CAE (calcium deposits).
Serology: ELISA testing for CAE antibodies (noting potential interference from colostral antibodies in neonates).
Infectious Etiologies:
Caprine Arthritis and Encephalitis (CAE):
Neurologic Form (Kids 2–4 months): Progressive paresis and incoordination leading to paralysis.
Arthritic Form (Adults > 1 year): Chronic, progressive swelling and degeneration, typically in the carpal joints; often leads to "kneeling" while eating.
Septic Arthritis (Joint-Ill):
Pathogenesis: Hematogenous bacterial entry via the umbilicus (omphalitis), respiratory tract, or skin breaks.
Clinical Signs: Acute heat, pain, and non-weight-bearing swelling in joints like the carpus, hock, or stifle.
Management: Prompt systemic antimicrobials (florfenicol/macrolides) and joint lavage; hygiene and umbilical dipping (7% iodine) for prevention.
Mycoplasmosis:
Presentation: Severe lameness with multiple hot joints, pyrexia, and weight loss in kids 2–4 weeks old.
Complexity: High morbidity (up to 90%) and variable mortality depending on the strain.
Nutritional and Metabolic Disorders
Copper Deficiency:
Enzootic Ataxia (Swayback): In utero deficiency causing permanent spinal cord myelin degeneration and paralysis in kids.
Bone Fragility: Post-neonatal deficiency leading to abnormal growth and increased risk of long bone fractures.
Epiphysitis (Bent Leg/Windswept Legs):
Cause: Ca:P imbalance (>1.4:1 ratio), Vitamin D deficiency, or excessive protein/growth rates.
Presentation: Medial/lateral bowing of the radii, arched back, and painful joint swelling.
Management: Correcting the diet, slowing growth rates, and regular hoof trimming.
White Muscle Disease:
Pathogenesis: Nutritional myodegeneration from Selenium and Vitamin E deficiency.
Signs: "Sawhorse stance," firm/painful hind limb muscles, or sudden death from cardiac damage.
Congenital and Inherited Conditions:
Contracted Tendons:
Sporadic/Idiopathic: Occurs globally in all breeds.
Genetic (Angoras): Autosomal recessive trait in Australasia; kids walk on fetlocks or cannot stand.