Bovine Lameness in the Foot - Common Causes

Question 1

What are the four main causes of lameness in the cow?

Answer 1

Sole ulcers
White line disease
Digital dermatitis
Foul in the foot

Question 2

Describe the aetiology of sole ulcers:

Answer 2

Disruption of claw horn formation
Pinching of corium between bone and hoof capsule
Pressure on corium causes degeneration ‘coriosis;

Question 3

Describe how disruption of claw horn formation causes sole ulcers

Answer 3

Weight of cown borne through suspension of P3 in hoof capsule.
Relaxation of supporting structures around calving. Bony ‘flexor process’ at plantar/palmar edge P3.
Claw overgrowth causing shallow dorsal wall angle.

Question 4

List three things that compound the incidence of sole ulcers

Answer 4

Standing on concrete
Thin cows (thin digital cushion)
Poor foot conformation/insufficient routine foot trimming

Question 5

Describe the appearance of mild sole ulcers

Answer 5

Incorporation of blood into horn.
Sole haemorrhage

Question 6

Describe the appearance of severe sole ulcers

Answer 6

Horn production completely arrested
Sole ulcer

Question 7

Describe the treatment of sole ulcers

Answer 7

Reduce the pressure on pinched corium
Corrective trimming and reduced height of affected claw and dish
Remove underrun horn and granulomas if present
Foot blocks
NSAIDs

Question 8

List two ways to control coriosis

Answer 8

Regular foot trimming to prevent overgrowth
Good underfoot

Question 9

Describe the aetiology of white line disease

Answer 9

Junction of sole and wall - area of weakness.
Coriosis causes a softening and widening.
Dirt and stones impact so there is infection carried through the corium.
White line seals over, infection is trapped and pus is produced, creating pain.
Usually under sole, occasionally up the wall
Eventually pus breaks out, usually at heel or coronary band

Question 10

What are the clinical signs of white line disease? Include which claw is more commonly affected.

Answer 10

Moderate to severe lameness (position and extent of abcess)
Lateral claw more commonly affected
Swelling - advanced +/- large abscess
Leg abducted to bear weight on medial claw

Question 11

Describe how you would treat white line disease

Answer 11

Trim and balance both claws
Explore impacted white line
If up wall remove entire section
Foot blocks
Parenteral antibiotics
NSAIDs

Question 12

List three methods of prevention of white line disease

Answer 12

Control coriosis
Underfoot conditions
Avoid walking long distances on hard surfaces or rough tracks
Biotin in the diet

Question 13

What the aetiology of foul in the foot? Include the main causative pathogen.

Answer 13

Acute necrotising inflammation of interdigital skin
Fusobacterium necrophorum
Damage to skin

Question 14

Describe the clinical signs of foul in the foot

Answer 14

Sudden onset moderate to severe lameness
Swelling of the soft tissues around the coconary band and between the digits
Swollen, hot, inflamed and painful to the touch
Split which discharges pus and lumps of necrotic tissue

Question 15

List the methods for the treatment of foul in the foot

Answer 15

Check interdigital space for FB’s
Wash and flush with plenty of clean water
Parenteral antibiotics
NSAIDs

Question 16

List two methods of prevention of foul in the foot

Answer 16

Improve underfoot conditions
Formalin foot baths

Question 17

Describe the clinical signs for digital dermatitis

Answer 17

Interdigital area behind the heel bulbs
Small circular (1-4cm) moist browny grey exudative areas of epidermal liquefaction + matting of surrounding hair
Raw dermal granulation tissue if diphtheritic debris cleaned - Intensely painful
‘Papilliform’ or ‘hairy warts’ form

Question 18

How would you treat an indivdual with digital dermatitis?

Answer 18

Clean/dry
Apply topical treatment
Repeat

Question 19

How would you treat digital dermatitis at a herd level?

Answer 19

Footbaths: 2-5% solutions of copper sulphate or formalin, 2-7days per week, every week

Question 20

Describe how you could prevent digital dermatitis

Answer 20

Improve winter hygiene
Hygiene of foot trimming equipment
Foot bathing
Disinfectant
Quarantine new stock