Interpretation of specialty exams

        Other than the bacterial culture the clinical pathology 
results were unimpressive.  Both E.coli and Staph were isolated but 
both are normal flora that have now become opportunistic pathogens. 
Although these pathogens were isolated and there is inflammation the 
leukocyte count was normal.  In cattle you would look for a 
hyperfibriniogenimia and a lymphocytosis because in cattle 
lymphocytes predominate but no hyperfibrinogenemia was reported and the  lymphocyte count was normal.  We think that the CBC is normal because the infection is not systemic.
        There is a simple metaphyseal fracture of the left forelimb. 
Although there is a limited range of motion in the 
metacarpal/phalangeal joint the fracture does not appear to involve 
this joint.  There is also callous formation around the fracture 
site.  This has led us to believe that we have a hypertrophic viable 
delayed union. The radiographs also showed a metacarpal/phalangeal 
valgal deformity.