[Polyarthritis in calves (author's transl)].

The development of polyarthritis was studied in thirty-six calves. Thirty patients were from two to eleven days of age; six animals were older than eleven days. Besides clinical studies, the synovial fluid was examined both biochemically and bacteriologically in addition, a blood culture was made. When the synovial fluids of twenty-six calves were studied bacteriologically, P. multocida was isolated in ten cases, P. haemolytica in two cases, E. coli in ten cases, streptococci in three cases and D. pneumoniae in one case; bacteriological examination of the synovial fluid was negative in ten cases. Blood cultures were positive in twenty animals (P. multocida in five cases, P. haemolytica in two cases, E. coli in eleven cases, S. subacidus in one case and D. pneumoniae in one case). Twenty-five calves were treated by intra-articular as well as intramuscular injection of kanamycin (sulphate); six animals were treated with similar injections of ampicillin. Treatment with ampicillin was initially instituted in five calves; after some time, however, kanamycine (sulphate) was substituted for this medication. Twenty-seven calves recovered completely.