22.5.2: Common causes of foot lameness

Question 1

Describe the aetiology of sole ulceration

Answer 1

• Flexor tendon is attached to caudal edge of the pedal bone (this is a bony protrusion)
• Movement of P3 and/or claw overgrowth and/or external pressure lead to pinching of the corium and the germinal epithelium between P3 and the hoof capsule
• Changes in structure of the digital cushion may lead to poor/inadequate cushioning
• The formation of new bone on P3 may exacerbate the problem

Question 2

Which of the following would be the most appropriate treatment for a sole ulcer?
a) therapeutically trim both claws and apply copper sulphate and a bandage to the affected claw
b) therapeutically trim both claws and apply a block to the sound claw
c) therapeutically trim both claws and administer a course of broad spectrum parenteral antibiotics for 5 days
d) apply copper sulphate and a bandage to the affected claw

Answer 2

b) therapeutically trim both claws and apply a block to the sound claw

Question 3

Answer 3

Sole ulcer/ haemorrhage

Question 4

Treatment of sole ulcer/ haemorrhage

Answer 4

Corrective trimming + block + NSAIDs
* Antibiotics only indicated if infected
* Place on deep straw if severe

Question 5

Answer 5

Deep digital sepsis
* Can follow untreated sole ulcer/ white line disease or foreign body e.g. nail
* Normally lots of swelling around the coronary band, possibly draining pus

Question 6

Answer 6

White line disease

Question 7

Clinical signs of white line disease

Answer 7

• Moderate to severe lameness (depends on position and extent of abscess)
• Lateral claw more commonly affected
• Leg abducted to bear weight on the medial claw (more so than with a sole ulcer)
• Swelling if advanced ± large abscess

Question 8

Diagnosis of white line disease

Answer 8

• Pain if you tweak the claw
• White line impaction and abscess if trimmed and explored
• Small pin prick sized hole to large areas of impaction on the white line (these are black)

Question 9

Treatment of White Line Disease

Answer 9

Question 10

Answer 10

Digital dermatitis

Question 11

How is digital dermatitis transmitted?

Answer 11

• Direct: foot-to-foot contact
• Indirect: via fomites in the environment e.g. cubicles, foot trimming equipment. Thought to also be via slurry but hard to demonstrate

Question 12

Answer 12

M1 DD lesion

Question 13

Answer 13

M2 DD lesion
Acute and painful with strong smell

Question 14

Answer 14

M3 DD lesion
Healing stage that occurs 1-2 days after topical treatment
Acute lesion has covered itself with firm scab material

Question 15

Answer 15

M4 DD lesion

Question 16

Answer 16

M4.1 DD lesion

Question 17

Animal types for digital dermatitis

Answer 17

Question 18

Answer 18

Question 19

Answer 19

Question 20

Answer 20

Question 21

Treatment of digital dermatitis

Answer 21

Question 22

Herd treatment of digital dermatitis

Answer 22

Question 23

Answer 23

Interdigital necrobacillosis a.k.a. foul, lewer
* Causative agent: Fusobacterium necrophorum ± secondaries e.g. *A. pyogenes, Strep spp. *

Question 24

Clinical signs of foul

Answer 24

Question 25

Treatment of foul

Answer 25

• Check interdigital space for FBs
• Wash and flush with plenty of clean water
• Debride necrotic tissue if present
• Apply topical antibiotics
• Parenteral antibiotics for 3-5 days e.g. oxytetracycline, penicllin and streptomycin