Bovine Musculoskeletal Disease, Pt. 2 Flashcards
What are sole abscesses? In what cattle are they most common?
area of subsolar infection, often found between the old and new sole
mature dairy cattle (relatively common in beef and young dairy)
How are sole abscesses diagnosed?
- follow black tracts and observe drainage
- hoof testers can help localize the area affected
What are the major signs of sole abscesses?
- lameness varies from mild to severe
- no swelling above the hoof unless a long duration
What are 5 important aspects of sole abscess treatment?
- paring out black tracts
- Kopertox
- bandage - not necessary if drainage is possible
- block good claw
- NSAIDs and antibiotics
What 3 things does the prognosis of sole abscess treatment depend on? When should improvement be seen?
- number of feet affected
- severity of the lesion and extension into deeper tissues
- amount of sole or wall removed
within 1-2 days
How can it be determined how far down a black tract can be pared out?
apply thumb pressure and pare out to the extent of the hardness —> sole is hard, as the cornium is reached it will become soft
- too deep = bleeding = difficult to see
In what direction should a black tract be pared out?
away from the sole
- toward the wall so that drainage is not blocked
What is circled in this picture?
black tract leading to a sole abscess
What technique is recommended when paring out black tracts?
leave as much of the walls of the hoof as possible to leave a larger surface for weight-bearing
In what shape should a black tract be pared out?
spatulate out with smooth edges, don’t leave a pit that can get plugged back up with dirt
What is an under-run sole? What is the most common color of the normal sole?
place where an abscess already burst through, allowing dirt, manure, and rocks to pack in between old and new soles
manure will stain it black/brown
Sole abscess, under-run sole:
rock was between false and new sole
What is the best means of controlling sole abscesses? What else is done?
regular hoof trimming every 6 months, especially in diary cows
- maintain a clean, dry environment
- proper feeding
- avoidance of bruising
What are 5 predisposing factors associated with sole abscesses?
- unsanitary conditions
- whiteline disease
- bruises (rock lodged in sole)
- laminitis
- puncture wounds
What is the pathogenesis of sole abscess formation?
- hole or crack in the horny sole becomes packed with dirt/manure
- this creates an environment for anaerobic, abscess-forming bacteria
- as the abscess enlarges, it dissects through the tissue until it finds a way out
- this causes pain due to pressure buildup
What should be the next step when seeing this sole?
pare out black tract
Where are vertical cracks of hooves most common? What should be done if it is an incidental finding on a routine hoof trim?
dorsal abaxial wall
open it up so it doesn’t pack with dirt
When does lameness occur with vertical cracks of the hoofs? How are they treated?
when it causes erosion into the coronary band or sensitive lamina
- trim and clean to allow drainage if infected
- horizontal grooving to stop crack extension
- natural oils
What 5 conditions predispose to vertical cracks? In what cattle is it most common?
- dry conditions (common in desert areas of the Southwest)
- poor nutrition
- trauma
- laminitis
- high selenium (not common in coastal US)
range > confined = more exposure to dry, sandy, and windy environments that can remove the natural oils, stratum extornum, and water of the hoof = BRITTLE
What are horizontal cracks? How are they treated?
cracks parallel to the coronary band —> laminitis type cracks, hardship grooves —> stress causes hair in hoof to stop growing for a period of time, leaving a weak spot
- pare out
- regular hoof trims
- control metabolic disease
When do horizontal cracks cause lameness?
when it develops into erosion of the sensitive lamina
Horizontal crack:
hardship groove
What is the pathogenesis of horizontal hoof cracks? How quickly do the claws grow?
- metabolic disturbance/stress results in temporary stoppage of horn growth
- space occurs between old and new horn
- “hang nail” develops as horn grows out
10-15 cm/year (1/4 in) —> measurement from groove to coronary band can estimate time point of development
Proper management of a sole abscess in a dairy cow may involve all of the following except…
a. bandage
b. Kopertox
c. long-term antibiotics
d. paring to allow drainage
e. wood block
C —> dairy cows = worry about residues
What is a major rule out for all types of lameness? How do they present?
laminitis
warped growth of hooves upward cause the appearance of slipper-like feet —> commonly the initial cause of other hoof diseases, like ulcers
What is indicative of a septic coffin joint? How is it confirmed? What differentials should be considered?
severe, three-legged lameness
radiographs
fractures and tenosynovitis
What is a common secondary event following the development of a septic coffin joint?
red area = rupture above the coronary band due to joint fluid buildup
What 3 treatments are preferred for septic coffin joints? Why?
- slaughter
- toe amputation
- arthrodesis (fuse joint)
conservative treatment with antibiotics and NSAIDs unlikely to work
What is prognosis for septic arthritis like?
- antibiotics and NSAIDs = poor
- toe amputation = depends on age, size, weight, and conformation
How is septic coffin joints controlled?
control of other foot diseases, like footrot, that can extend into the joint space