Transient radial paralysis occurring in a Belgian White Blue bull undergoing general anaesthesia for claw amputation

Abstract

A four-year-old, 973 kg Belgian White Blue bull was presented for further evaluation of a persistent right hindlimb lameness. The physical and radiographic examinations revealed osteitis of the medial second phalanx of the right hindlimb. A claw amputation was performed under general anaesthesia. The bull was premedicated with 0.17 mg/kg xylazine intramuscularly and general anaesthesia was induced with 2 mg/kg ketamine administered intravenously. During the recovery phase, the bull could not bear any weight on his left thoracic limb. Further examinations revealed left radial nerve paralysis. Treatment consists of a bolus of dexamethasone (0.05 mg/kg) intravenously in order to decrease the inflammation; fluid therapy in an attempt to improve muscle perfusion and to replace the fluid losses and cold showers to decrease the rise in temperature. After 90 minutes from the end of general anaesthesia, the radial paralysis resolved spontaneously without any major consequences.