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Clinical signs
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Sudden onset of lameness, unthriftiness, stiffness, painful gait and posture are the first characteristic signs of osteofluorosis often observed by the farmer.
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Lameness is observed in both the fore limbs and hind limbs.
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It is moving and diagonal, observed first in one leg and then in other leg.
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Most marked effects are observed in loins, hip joints and hind limbs.
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Bones are palpably and visibly enlarged and thickened.
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Such lesions are observed on the medial surface of the proximal third of metatarsal bones followed by thickening and enlargement of mandible, deformation of the jaw, sternum, metacarpal, ribs and spine.
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Pressing of affected limb bones give indication of pain.
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Thickening of the periosteal layer results in lateral exostoses of long bones of the legs.
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Articular surfaces are not involved, there is spurring and bridging of joints leading to rigidity of the spine.
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Other bone lesions are hyperostosis, osteoporosis, enlargement, chalky white appearance and roughening with intermittent limping.
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Bones become more prone to fractures.
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As the condition worsens, there is cachexia and death.
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Other supplementary general signs of fluorosis are loss of weight, intermittent diarrhoea, polydipsia, polyuria, poorly concentrated urine, aplastic anaemia due to diminished bone marrow cavity, reduction in milk and wool production, anestrous etc.
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Though, fluoride ions are known to cross the placental barrier, but no apparent toxic effects on the foetus are known.
Post mortem lesions
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Normal ivory colour of bones is changed to chalky white, surfaces of bones are roughened, diameter enlarged and lateral exotoses of the long bones.
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Mottling, cavities on teeth, which are unevenly broken
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Bone marrow cavity is diminished and shows gelatinous degeneration and aplastic anaemia
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Microscopically, bony trabeculae are thickened and have a dense appearance with sharp heavy outlines. Degenerative changes are observed in kidneys, liver, adrenal glands, heart muscles and central nervous system. In kidneys, degeneration and disintegration of the tubular epithelium, slight glomerular changes, thickened arterioles and fibrosis are also observed.
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There is atrophy of spongiosa, defective and irregular calcification of newly formed osseous tissue, hypoplasia of enamel and dentine.
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Severe gastroenteritis is absent.
Diagnosis
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History
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Clinical signs
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Post mortem findings.
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X-ray examination reveals sclerosis, perosis, hyperostosis or a combination of these. There is increased density of abnormal porosity, periosteal feathering and thickening
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