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Calf arthritis
Calf arthritis is the infection of one or more joints by bacteria arriving through the blood. It is almost never an isolated problem: it signals the passage of bacteria into the circulation, most often from the navel, the intestine during d...
What is it?
Calf arthritis is the infection of one or more joints by bacteria arriving through the blood.
It is almost never an isolated problem: it signals the passage of bacteria into the circulation, most often from the navel, the intestine during diarrhea, or the lungs.
It mainly affects calves in the first weeks and is first seen on the large joints of the limbs, which swell and become painful.
Key point
A swollen joint in a calf is never a common sprain. It is most often an infection: have it examined the same day, not the following week.
Commonly observed signs
These signs are neither exhaustive nor specific. Only a veterinarian can establish a diagnosis.
Related signs — each one links to its page:
Rapid onset lameness, sometimes on several limbs at once.
One or more joints visibly swollen, hot, tense and painful on palpation: knee, hock, fetlock.
The calf is reluctant to get up, remains lying down, moves around dragging.
In advanced forms, it no longer rises at all.
Fever, depression, loss of appetite, calf sucking sluggishly.
General stiffness, round back.
Poor growth, pitted hair in calves whose infection lasts.
Often, the calf has previously presented with an infected navel, diarrhea or respiratory problems: this link is a key element for the veterinarian.
When to consult without delay
This list does not replace veterinary advice. It gathers situations that justify a prompt consultation.
Causes and risk factors
Bacteria passed into the blood from an initial source: most often infected navel, but also intestine damaged by diarrhea, infected lungs, or wound.
They are deposited in the joints, where they multiply protected from general defenses.
Mycoplasmas may also be involved, particularly in calves with respiratory problems; these forms often affect several joints and respond poorly to usual treatments.
A lack of transfer of colostral immunity is the ground which makes this transition possible: it is almost always the starting point of the story.
Failure to take colostrum: the most determining factor.
Untreated navel infection or navel not disinfected at birth.
Severe neonatal diarrhea.
Episode of bronchopneumonia.
Calving in dirty premises, damp and soiled bedding.
Overcrowding and mixing of ages.
Distribution of milk from treated cows or poorly preserved milk, linked to mycoplasma forms.
Transmission
It is not a direct contagion from one calf to another: each calf develops the infection from its own source.
On the other hand, the causes which created it - soiled navel, diarrhea in the flock, degraded respiratory environment - concern the entire breeding: several simultaneous cases must lead us to look for a common cause.
Mycoplasma forms are transmitted between calves through the respiratory route or through contaminated milk.
Diagnosis and care
Diagnosis is the veterinarian's responsibility, based on clinical examination and laboratory tests. Care is decided case by case.
The veterinarian precisely identifies the affected joint(s) and looks for the source of origin: navel, lungs, history of diarrhea.
A puncture of the joint allows the fluid to be analyzed, the infection to be confirmed and the bacteria to be identified in order to guide the choice of antibiotic.
X-rays or an ultrasound assess the damage to the bone and cartilage and the age of the lesions.
A blood test can confirm a lack of transfer of colostral immunity: this information goes beyond the case of the calf, it concerns the management of the herd.
The veterinarian also examines the other calves in the group: a case often reveals a collective flaw.
Treatment
The treatment combines an antibiotic chosen by the veterinarian and an anti-inflammatory to control pain and limit the destruction of cartilage.
It must be started as early as possible and continued for a long time: the joints are difficult to access for drugs, and shortened treatment allows the infection to resume.
The veterinarian can carry out a washing of the joint or an evacuation puncture, gestures which clearly improve the chances of recovery in established cases.
The original site must be treated at the same time, otherwise the joint becomes reinfected: an infection of the navel may require surgery.
Comfortable care is essential: thick, dry bedding, individual box, water and food within reach of the lying calf, help getting up if necessary.
A calf that no longer gets up must be turned regularly to avoid bedsores and respiratory problems.
Treatment depends on the cause and the animal's condition: it must be determined by a veterinarian. No self-medication.
Prevention
Everything depends on birth: quality colostrum given as early as possible, and disinfection of the navel.
Calve in a clean, dry and disinfected box between two cows.
Treat any infected navel, diarrhea and respiratory problems without delay: this is where arthritis starts.
Monitor the calves' gait every day, at meal time: beginning lameness can be seen at this time.
Maintain abundant and dry litter, which also protects the joints from shock and humidity.
Do not feed calves milk from sick cows or poorly preserved milk.
Avoid overcrowding and mixing of ages.
Possible complications
Destruction of cartilage and bone, with permanent lameness and deformed joint.
Affected by several joints, calf which no longer gets up.
Sepsis: general spread of infection.
Significant growth retardation, early culling of affected animals.
Bed sores and respiratory problems in calves that lie down for a long time.
Chronic pain lastingly altering the animal's well-being.
When to see a veterinarian
Your calf limps, even slightly: call immediately, every day counts for the cartilage.
A joint is swollen, hot or painful.
He has difficulty getting up or lies down more than usual.
He has a fever or a weak breast in addition to limping.
He recently had an infected navel, diarrhea or a cough: the link is common, report it to the veterinarian.
Several calves are lame in the same group: there is a common cause to identify.
Prognosis
Arthritis treated in the very first days can heal without after-effects.
As soon as the cartilage is affected, the lameness often becomes permanent even if the infection is controlled.
Multiple infections and mycoplasma forms have a guarded prognosis.
In certain situations, when the pain can no longer be controlled, the veterinarian suggests euthanasia: it is an animal welfare decision, to be taken with him.
Frequently asked questions
My calf has been limping since yesterday, is it urgent?
Yes. In a young calf, lameness with a swollen joint is an infection until proven otherwise. The cartilage is destroyed within a few days: the earlier the treatment begins, the more likely the calf is to walk normally.
Why does my calf have arthritis even though it was not injured?
Because bacteria arrive through the blood, not through a joint wound. The starting point is often an infected navel, diarrhea or lung damage, which sometimes goes unnoticed.
Is an anti-inflammatory sufficient since the calf is in pain?
No. It relieves but does not treat the infection, and it may mask worsening. The basic treatment belongs to the veterinarian, which combines antibiotics and anti-inflammatory.
How can I prevent this from happening again in my farm?
By acting at birth: colostrum given early and in sufficient quantity, navel disinfected, clean calving box. Most calf arthritis is the late consequence of a defect at this precise time.
References
WOAH — Organisation mondiale de la santé animale (ex-OIE)
ANSES — Agence nationale de sécurité sanitaire (France)
Content reviewed by the TunisieVet editorial team · Updated 09 August 2026
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