Abstract The study was conducted in six calves presented with septic arthritis belonging to diferent age, breed and sex. Among the six calves, three were afected with chronic stage of disease with joint contracture and non-weight bearing on the afected limb. Clinical signs of arthritis were noticed in all the cases. Radiography and goniometry provided information regarding response to treatment protocol adapted. Haematology and serum biochemistry were found to have limited diagnostic value. Treatment protocol formulated which contains, three stage lavaging, application of splint and empirical antibiotic therapy showed satisfactory results. The progression of the evaluation of joint disorder, efcacy of the diagnostic modalities and standardisation of treatment protocol was attempted in this study. Key words: Joint, Calves, Septic arthritis, Lavage, Splint. Neonatal period is the most crucial period in calves’ life and are susceptible to infections and development of malformations. Infectious and congenital afections of joints EVALUATION AND MANAGEMENT OF SEPTIC ARTHRITIS IN CALVES: A REVIEW OF SIX CASES Received: 13.08.2017 Accepted: 17.08.2017 H.G Vasanthkumar 1 , M.K Narayanan 2 , Sudheesh, S. Nair 2 , A.R Sreeranjini 3 and C.B Devanand 4 . Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University cause permanent joint deformities that result in higher culling rate and subsequent production loss in dairy cattle farming (Windeyer et al., 2014). Arthritis is more commonly seen in young calves and among which infectious arthritis predominates (Rohde et al., 2000). Septic arthritis in calves mainly occurs due to haematogenous spread of bacteria from umbilicus (Prasanna, 2003). The clinical signs in arthritis vary depending on the type, cause, severity of the condition and joint afected. Septic arthritis manifests more commonly in carpal joint, hock joint and stife joint in calves (Jackson, 1999). Physical examination and clinical signs help in early diagnosis of the condition. Radiographic changes, synovial fuid and joint angle of the afected joints provide early information to assess the severity and prognosis of condition and help to assess the efcacy of treatment. Even though there are various treatment protocols adopted based on the joint afection, there is a need by the veterinarian for formulation of a feld based protocol in management of joint afections in calves. 1. Vasanthkumar, H.G, M.V.Sc. Scholar, E-mail: vet.vasanth@gmail.com; Ph: 9448700325 2. Assistant Professors 3. Assistant Professor, Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Histology 4. Professor and Head 70 J. Vet. Anim. Sci. 2018. 49 (2) :70 - 73 Evaluation and management of septic arthritis in calves... ________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ REsEaRch aRtIclE