Category: Bones and Joints

𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐛 𝐬𝐲𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐞 is a type of 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐲𝐬𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐚, or irregular development of cartilage. In particular, this disease causes several skeletal abnormalities that give the lambs the appearance of a long-legged spider.

𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐲𝐝𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐲𝐥𝐲 is an increase in the number of digits on one limb or multiple limbs. This can range from one extra digit, most often seen in cloven hooved animals, to multiple extra toes, often seen in cats.

𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐲𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐬 literally means crooked joint, which is a pretty accurate description of this disease! In this condition, an animal is born with joints that cannot straighten, and occasionally entire limbs that cannot straighten.

𝐑𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬 is a disease of the skeleton in growing animals, that results in abnormal formation of bone at the growth plates, as well as poor quality bone in general.

𝐇𝐲𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐜 𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐲 is characterized by 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, meaning proliferation of bone on the outside of existing bones. This proliferation affects the long bones of the limbs primarily.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐡𝐲𝐫𝐢𝐚 is a red to brown discolouration of the bones and teeth, starting from birth, due to the accumulation of 𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐡𝐲𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐬 (compounds that bind metals, such as heme in red blood cells). The name porphyrin derives from the Greek word prophyra, which means purple, and tells you a bit about what colour these compounds are!

𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐲 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 actually refers to two different conditions in chickens, somewhat confusingly. Both of these diseases result in similar clinical signs, hence being grouped under the same name.

𝐋𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐣𝐚𝐰 or more scientifically known as 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐲, is a disease where the bones of the jaw and skull proliferate, causing enlargement and an irregular surface. Interestingly, the enlargement is usually 𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 (affecting both sides of the head equally).

𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐮𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐧𝐢 is a bacterial disease of cattle that can cause a wide range of lesions throughout the body! Its primary role is as a respiratory pathogen, however.

𝐋𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐲 𝐣𝐚𝐰 is probably one of the more descriptive veterinary disease names, being literally a disease causing a lumpy jaw! This is a type of 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐦𝐲𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬, or a bacterial infection of the mandibular bone.