Vol. 10, Issue 9, Part D (2025)

Author(s): Ch Mallikarjuna Rao, BN Nagaraja, RV Suresh Kumar, MS Vasanth and Suguna Rao

Abstract: This study aims to evaluate the changes in synovial fluid and compare treatment protocols for calves affected by septic arthritis. Among 2,412 bovine cases examined, 36 were diagnosed with septic arthritis, representing an incidence rate of 1.49%. Of these, twelve calves were selected and randomly assigned into two groups of six. Each group received an intra-articular chitosan-based drug delivery system, one impregnated with ceftiofur sodium and the other group with honey. At the time of presentation, most synovial fluid samples were purulent, opaque and turbid, containing suspended fibrinous material. By day 14, improvements were observed in both groups, with the synovial fluid becoming noticeably clearer and more viscous. Parameters such as total protein, total white blood cell (WBC) count, polymorphonuclear (PMN) cell count and synovial fluid or joint discharge were significantly elevated at presentation but returned to normal levels by day 28 in both treatment groups.

DOI: 10.22271/veterinary.2025.v10.i9d.2559