Student Case Presentation
Management of Traumatic Septic Bursitis in a Brahman Cow with Long-Term Intravenous Regional Limb Perfusion
| Date/Time: |
8/27/2026 Poster 03
|
| Presenter: |
Loren Hobbs |
| Veterinary School: |
TN |
Abstract:
This retrospective case report titled “Management of Traumatic Septic Bursitis in a Brahman Cow with Long Term Intravenous Regional Limb Perfusion” describes a unique and challenging case in a bucking stock, managed at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. Clinical evaluation revealed significant soft tissue swelling, exudate pockets, and bone exposure. Radiographs and cultures (Trueperella pyogenes, Proteus vulgaris) confirmed progressive osteomyelitis of the calcaneus. Subtendinous calcaneal bursitis is infrequently reported in the bovine literature and poses a significant therapeutic challenge. This case was complicated by the patient’s fractious temperament and the need to maintain the pregnancy.
Treatment involved multiple surgical debridements of the calcaneus with systemic antibiotics, pain management, and sedated wound care. Despite initial progress, the wound developed progressive osteomyelitis. Adopting a multimodal systemic approach involved placing an extended catheter for long-term intravenous regional limb perfusion (IVRLP), thereby enabling high local antimicrobial concentrations. In bovines and equines, RLPs are used for local anesthetics and antimicrobials to treat local abscesses and distal limbs and bone infections. The cow showed significant improvement with a comprehensive treatment approach that included IVRLP, parenteral antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, surgical debridement, and cryotherapy. Despite an initially guarded prognosis and fluctuating lameness, the wound transitioned to healthy granulation tissue by day 48. The cow was discharged for continued monitoring and successfully calved the following year.
This case demonstrates that aggressive, multimodal medical and surgical approach can yield favorable outcomes even with chronic bone and tendon involvement. The use of IVRLP is particularly relevant for bovine practitioners, as it offers an alternative to daily systemic injections while supporting antibiotic stewardship. Additionally, this report demonstrates that intensive wound management and repeated sedation can be safely executed in pregnant cattle without inducing abortion. It highlights how to manage high-value or high-performance cattle when traditional, conservative treatments may fail.
