Name Surname: Giorgia Fabbri Cycle: XXXIII
Contacts:
E-mail: giorgia.fabbri@phd.unipd.it
Lab Address: Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health (MAPS)
University of Padova (Italy)
Viale dell'Università 16 - 35020, Legnaro (PD), Italy.
Tutor: Prof. Matteo Gianesella
Research Area (SSD): VET/08
Thesis: Diagnostic imaging evaluations of the bone and joint disorders in fattening bulls limbs.
Brief Description of the PhD Project:
Lame animals are frequently suffering from chronic pain, especially if lameness remains undetected for long periods. These animals tend to exhibit reduced productivity and decreased feed intake, which results in economic losses for beef cattle industry. An immediate on-field imaging diagnosis is important to detect specific locomotory pathological events and to provide a clinical well-timed management.The aim of this research is to evaluate radiographic, ultrasonographic and thermographic changes in bone and joint lesions of fattening bulls limbs during the first stage of breeding cycle.
20 animals per farm will be selected randomly from at least 5 fattening bulls farms.Clinical evaluations will be performed within the first
50 days of breeding.
On the clinical evaluation will be assessed the presence of lesions or pain in the limbs, in the metatarsal/metacarpal - phalangeal joint and in the phalanges; painful or hyperthermia of the area; rapid weight loss; difficulty in keeping the standing position.
For each animal the following evaluations will be performed on field:
1. Clinical evaluation and Locomotion Score.
2. Radiographic, ultrasonographic and thermographic evaluation of the locomotory system.
3. Data collection of productivity (mean weight gains), management (housing practices), diet (composition and food amount) and health status (eventual prophylactic vaccinations and/or therapies) data collection.