Bovine hooves

Question 1

solid but moveable, slightly painful lesion on the interdigital of a cow’s foot

Answer 1

• aka “corn” , OR “ interdigital hyperplasia”, OR “interdigital fibroma”

Question 2

What causes a corn/ interdigital hyperplasia/ interdigital fibroma on a cows foot

Answer 2

• laxity of the interdigital ligament
• –> excessive wear and stretching of the tissues between the claws –> predisposes cow to trauma in the area –> development of a corn
• condition can also be heritable
• (dairy breeds) : chronic dermatitis leads to hyperplasia and corns due to damp/ moist environments

Question 3

Treatment of a corn/ interdigital hyperplasia/ interdigital fibroma on a cows foot

Answer 3

• non painful = no tx

- painful = surgical removal