Bovine, Ovine, Porcine Lameness Flashcards

1
Q

How does lameness affect production and which cows in particular?

A

Milk yield + fertility

Higher yielding cows

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2
Q

What signs can you see with a lame cow?

A
  • Uneven weight bearing (look at dew claws)
  • Uneven step rhythm
  • Shortened strides
  • Head nod (rises on painful foot)
  • Abnormal foot placement
  • Arched back postures
  • Speed
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3
Q

What are the treatment options with severe bovine lameness?

A

Score lameness initially
THEN
Surgery
Culling or euthanasia

v painful - need to treat!

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4
Q

What questions do you need to ask when assessing a cow for lameness?

A
  • Which lactation? (heifer?)
  • How long calved? (should be 100-150d)
  • What previous foot problems?
  • Other problems? (chronic or complicated problem)
  • How long has she been lame for?
  • What treatment has she had?
  • Is she pregnant? Is she milking well? On cull list? (worth surgical tx?)
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5
Q

What is the lameness scoring called in cattle?

A

DairyCo mobility score

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6
Q

What is score 0 on the DairyCo mobility scale?

A

Cow walks with even weight bearing and rhythm on all four feet, with a flat back. Long fluid strides are possible

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7
Q

What is score 1 on the DairyCo mobility scale?

A

Cow’s steps are uneven (rhythm or weight bearing) or strides shortened; affected limb or limbs not immediately identifiable

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8
Q

What is score 2 on the DairyCo mobility scale?

A

Uneven weight bearing on a limb that is immediately identifiable and/or obviously shortened strides
(usually with an arch to center of the back)

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9
Q

What is score 3 on the DairyCo mobility scale?

A

Unable to walk as fast as a brisk human pace (cannot keep up with the healthy herd) and signs of score 2

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10
Q

Where can you see the highest % of lameness in a cow?

A

88% in feet-

and then 92% in hind feet

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11
Q

Before examining the foot what can you do if necessary? (name the method)

A

Thoroughly clean the foot

Perform a functional trim by Dutch 5 step foot trimming

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12
Q

What are the objectives for each of the 5 steps in the 5 step trim?

A
  1. Create a foot angle of 52 degrees
  2. Create balance between claws
  3. Transfer weight from sole into wall, toe, heel
  4. Remove weight from a painful claw
  5. Remove loose or sharp horn
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13
Q

What are the 5 steps to the Dutch foot trim?

A
  1. Trim toe to correct length (inner hind claw or outer fore claw (most normal)) - approx. 7.5cm (outer claw is usually longer)
    Correct sole depth, Better angle for P3
  2. Trim the second toe to match the other one
  3. Dish out ‘model’ at the ulcer site
    Corrective trim:
  4. Trim down to heel horn of affected claw (2/3) or fix a block to the healthy claw
  5. Remove loose horn, hard ridges
    (only caudal 1/3 of inner claw should be tidied and only back 2/3 of outer hind claw should be tidied)
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14
Q

What should you look out for in foot examination in regards to lameness?

A
  • Visible lesions - sole, wall, heel, skin
  • Heat
  • Pain on hoof testers/finger pressure
  • Feel + look in between claws
  • Softening of heel/ coronary band (where hoof starts)
  • Swelling above CB or in heel
  • Redness on skin
  • Odour

Haemorrhage in horn is approx. 2 months historic!

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15
Q

What are some common lesions that cause lameness?

A
  • Sole ulcer
  • White line disease
  • Digital dermatitis
  • Foul
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16
Q

What are some risk factors for infectious disorders causing lameness?

A
  • Wet underfoot conditions
  • Slurry
  • Large groups
  • High stocking density
  • Delayed treatments
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17
Q

What is a sole ulcer?

A

A sole ulcer is a lesion located in the region of the sole/bulb junction, usually nearer the axial (middle) than abaxial margin

  • Damage to the dermis is associated with a circumscribed zone of localized haemorrhage and necrosis
  • Exposed Corium - area corresponding to flexor process of coffin bone

Don’t really know aetiology of them

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18
Q

What is the full treatment for sole ulcers?

a) Prognosis?

A
  • Dutch 5 step
  • Don’t amputate granulation tissue or burn off with copper sulphate
  • Relieve weight: block the SOUND claw
  • Trim collar of horn and thin down sole around ulcer
  • Spray with antibiotic
  • Inject with antibiotic if swelling
  • Anti-inflammatory pain killer
  • Nursing and clean yard
  • Promote wound healing; nothing that burns!

a) Prognosis: generally okay, recurrence at next lactation possible, reduce fertility + lifespan

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19
Q

What should never be tampered with in a sole ulcer?

A

Granulation tissue!! Need to reduce strangulation and swelling on the prolapsed ‘quick’. Trim and thin to allow protruding corion to recover. Also, rest and NSAIDs helps

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20
Q

What are effective ways to reduce lameness due to solar ulcers?

A
  1. Pre- and post-calving transition management group
  2. Heifer comfort group (esp. in autumn calving herds)
  3. Reduce time shut away from cubicles
  4. Improve lying comfort
  5. Increase routine foot trimming
  6. Cubicle training
  7. Pre-calving heifers on concrete feed barrier
  8. Improve feeding! Decrease concentrate, crude protein, and increase dry matter (drier dung)
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21
Q

What is white line lesion?

A

also known as white line separation, white line disease

-Diseased horn affecting the junction between sole and wall
-includes
1. bruising (haemorrhage)
2. separation (fissuring)
3.abscessation
4. ulceration
These are considered stages of a diseased process

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22
Q

What is the etiology of white line disease?

A

Not much research on the development of lesions; theories include weak horn, wet conditions, thin soles (heifers?), PIII movement (due to thin soles), shearing forces

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23
Q

What is the full treatment for white line disease?

A
  • Drain pus/infection from painful site = pare out with sharp knife
  • Dutch 5 step trimming
  • Relieve weight; block the sound claw
  • Spray with antibiotic (Oxytetracycline spray)
  • Inject antibiotic if swelling above the coronary band
  • Anti-inflammatory pain killer
  • Remove loose or under-run horn (1-2 weeks after an abscess)
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24
Q

What is the prognosis for white line disease after tx?

A

Usually good unless infected with Treponemes

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25
Q

What are some effective interventions for white line disease?

A
  • Biotin
  • Reduce risk for SARA in the herd
  • Decrease standing times
  • Improve cow flow
  • Cow friendly under-foot surfaces
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26
Q

What is Digital dermatitis?

A

also known as - hairy heel warts, Mortellaro disease
A well circumscribed infection of skin - usually between the heel bulbs or palmer, plantar pastern area

  • Lesions start as:
    1. exudative epithelial erosions/ulceration
    2. then granulation
    3. hyperkeratosis
    4. scab formation (final stage)

Intervention of 3 different types of Treponeme - entry from hair follicles

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27
Q

What are the different stages of Digital dermatitis?

A

M1: Ulcerative 2cm
M3: Regressing
M4.1: Reactivating
M4: Hyperkeratotic

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28
Q

What is the appropriate tx for all the different stages of DD?

A

M1: clean, dry (paper towel), topical oxytetracycline spray (3 consecutive days) - in between claws

M2: as above but debride with gauze/paper towel + consider bandaging with antibacterial agent
(Dutch 5 step foot trim)

M3: clean, debride/debulk (under local as necessary), bandage with antibacterial agent

M4: as M3

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29
Q

What are effective interventions for digital dermatitis?

A
  • Foot bathing
  • Slurry management
  • (biosecurity)
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30
Q

What are the 7 ways of preventing/controlling lameness due to digital dermatitis?

A
  1. Improve foot hygiene - yards and tracks
  2. Improve foot bathing (incl. DCs)
  3. Biosecurity (no new strains)
  4. Rear heifers free of DD
  5. Treatment of new or persistant cases - clean, dry, 3 treatments
  6. Be hygienic at foot trimming
  7. Improve lying comfort
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31
Q

What is foul (in the foot)?

A

also known as Footrot, phlegmon - interdigital phlegmon, interdigital necrobacillosis

Acute bacterial infection of subcutaneous tissues of the interdigital space

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32
Q

What is foot rot usually associated with?

A

Foreign body or sand between the toes

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33
Q

What bacteria causes foul?

A

Fusobacterium necrophorum

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34
Q

What are the clinical signs of Foul?

A

Symmetrical swelling
Separation of claws
Interdigital skin necrosis (necrotic discharge)
Pungent odour

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35
Q

What is the treatment for foul?

A
  • Check interdigital space for foreign bodies
  • Wash and flush with plenty of clean water
  • Debride necrotic tissue, use of topical antibiotics (?)
  • Parenteral antibiotics (need to think about milking, beef, cost and withdrawal) - licensed injectable Ab
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36
Q

What are some antibiotics available to treat foul?

A
  • Oxytetracycline
  • Penicillin
  • Penicillin/streptomycin combo
  • Tylosin
  • Ceftiofur
  • Sulphamethoxypyridazine
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37
Q

What is the prognosis of foul?

A

Good if treated early; but can get deep digital sepsis

38
Q

How can you prevent foul?

A
  • Improve underfoot conditions (muck out)

- Formalin foot baths

39
Q

What is ‘super foul’?

A

It is a more aggressive and severe form of foul that quickly invades the deeper structures of the foot. Requires early and aggressive therapy
-mixed bac infection

40
Q

What is the treatment for ‘super foul’?

A
  • Clean, debride, and flush
  • Pack with antibiotic (NOT clindamycin) and bandage
  • Systemic antibiosis until signs resolve
  • Monitor footbath, can be the source
41
Q

What is corkscrew claw?

A

Bony swelling deep to abaxial (lateral) coronary band

-Reshape foot as best as possible

42
Q

What possible other problems can a dairy farmer face?

A

Toe necrosis
Deep digital sepsis
Interdigital hyperplasia
Wall Ulcer

43
Q

What is the etiology of sole bruising?

A
  • Sharp turn on a hard surface (can be the result of bullying)
  • Soft bedding to rough concrete
  • Soft feet (from standing in water or slurry)
  • Dismounting (bulls and cows)
  • Laminitis
  • Thought to be the precursor of sole ulcers
44
Q

What are the clinical signs of sole bruising?

A

Low grade lameness

45
Q

How long does it take a sole bruise to show?

A

Up to 2 months

46
Q

What is the treatment of sole bruising?

A

Conservative only; trim claws to decrease pressure, keep on soft bedding, may consider blocks and NSAIDs

47
Q

How can sole bruising be prevented?

A
  • Routine foot trimming
  • Optimal underfoot conditions
  • Standing times/lying times
48
Q

What types of foreign bodies can penetrate the sole?

A
  • Nails
  • Cast teeth
  • Glass
  • Stones
49
Q

How is foreign body penetration treated in the cow?

A

Same as white line disease;

  • Drain pus/infection from painful site
  • Relieve weight; block the sound claw
  • Spray with antibiotic
  • Inject antibiotic if swelling above the coronary band
  • Anti-inflammatory pain killer
50
Q

What is ‘slurry heel’?

A

Heel horn erosion; it is caused by standing in wet corrosive feces and silage effluent.
Usually it is asymptomatic

51
Q

What is the treatment for heel erosion/slurry heel?

A
Formalin foot baths to harden feet
Routine trimming (restore foot balance, remove loose horn, do not remove healthy heel horn)
52
Q

What is horn necrosis?

A

It is an emerging disease; infection of the wall/toe of the claw (usually with treponemes, probably a secondary infection to other claw capsule disease)

Treatment requires repeated resection and antibiotics OR claw amputation. Prognosis is guarded

53
Q

What is deep digital sepsis?

A

It is usually a complication of other disease (sole ulcers, WLD, foul, horizontal and vertical fissures)

Infection gains entry to deeper structures of the claw Unable to recover unless necrotic tissue is removed and allowed to drain (salvage procedure)

54
Q

What is the surgical option for deep digital sepsis?

A

Claw, digit amputation

55
Q

How would you select a cow for surgery?

A
Sound medial claw?
Is she placing foot normally or on back of heel?
Sound on other feet?
Barren? going to be culled anyway?
Can farm cope with aftercare?
56
Q

How would you prefer patient for surgery?

A
Antibiotics
Analgesia
Anaesthesia (iv regional anaesthesia)
-Tourniquet
-Butterfly
-20ml procaine
-Test interdigitial space (+local if needed)
57
Q

What do you need for a claw amputation?

A

Parenteral AB
NSAIDS and IVRA (regional anaesthesia)

PREP
Incise into interdigital space - 2-3cm, skin fold
Embryotomy wire - up than obliquely outwards
Curette + remove excess tissue
Melolin +pressure dressing
Redress every 48hours, 96 hours, 7d then leave open
Block on unaffected digit

58
Q

What can be a cause of porcine lameness in piglets?

A

Arthritis (rarer in outdoor pigs)

59
Q

What sporadic opportunistic pathogens can invade the wounds in piglet arthritis?

A

E.coli, Staphs, Streps - through wounds (tail, teeth, skin wounds, navel)
Group outbreaks of Strep suis - via tonsils

60
Q

What is the clinical presentation of arthritis in piglets?

A
  • 2d weaning
  • can’t stand - dog sitting
  • Enlarged joints
  • Death - starved, laid upon
61
Q

How would you diagnosis and treat porcine arthritis?

A

Bacteriology (from discharge or pm material)

Treatment:
Penicillin
Ampicillin
Lincomycin
Ketoprofen

Euthanasia if no response

62
Q

What is a common cause of lameness in growers?

A

Injury - fractures
Osteochondrosis dessicans (excess cartilage in joints)
Infectious causes- Mycoplasma hyosynoviae, Mycoplasma hyopneumonia, hyorhinis polyarthritis (and pneumonia), Erysipelas (zoonosis - diamond shape skin lesions)

63
Q

How would you diagnosis lameness in growers (to distinguish cause)?

A

History
Examination
PM
Paired serology

64
Q

What is the treatment for infectious causes of lameness in growers?

A

Tiamulin
Tylosin
Lincomycin

65
Q

What are the 3 categories for lameness in adult pigs?

A

Physical lameness
Infectious arthritis
Septic laminitis

66
Q

What are the causes of physical lameness in pigs?

A
  • Cartilaginous pathology (osteochondrosis, osteochondritis, dyschondroplasia or degenerative joint disease (DJD))
  • bony pathology leading to weakness and fracture (osteomalacia)
67
Q

What are the causes of Infectious arthritis?

A

Erysipelas

Mycoplasma spp

68
Q

What are the causes for septic laminitis?

A

Bush foot due to bac infection

TREATMENT: Lincomycin + NSAIDS

69
Q

What would you consider if a pig has no visible abnormalities but with sudden onset?

A
Acute leg weakness OCD
Back muscle necrosis
Broken back
Calcium phosphorus deficiencies
Fractures
Laminitis
Muscle tear
Muscular dystrophy
Trauma
70
Q

What would you consider if a pig has no visible abnormalities but with gradual onset?

A
Abscesses
Erysipelas
Mycoplasma arthritis
Leg weakness OCD
Rickets
71
Q

What would you consider if a pig has visible abnormalities with sudden onset?

A
Back muscle necrosis
Erysipelas
Fractures
Haematoma
PSS
Streptoccal infections
Vesicular diseases
72
Q

What would you consider if a pig has visible abnormalities but with gradual onset?

A
Bursitis
Bush foot
Erysipelas
Glässers Disease 
Mycoplasma arthritis
Vesicular disease
73
Q

What are the 6 common causes of lameness in sheep?

A
  1. SCALD - Interdigital dermatitis
  2. Foot rot
  3. CODD - Contagious ovine digital dermatitis
  4. Shelly hoof - White line degeneration
  5. Foot abscess
  6. Toe granuloma
74
Q

What does SCALD look like?

A

Red, interdigital space
May be white/grey pasty scum
Loss of hair in interdigital space

Caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum which is in faeces ie ubiquitous + Dichelobacter nodosus

70% of lame sheep with this issue!

75
Q

What does Foot rot look like?

A

Separation of horn from underlying live tissue
Starts between claws
Foul smelling greyish oozing pus

Dichelobacter nodosus

76
Q

What does CODD look like?

A

Loss of hair above coronary band (hair line)
Separation of horn from coronary band
Blood with some grey scum, no sig smell
May be complete detachment of hoof horn

Treponemes

77
Q

What does Shelly hoof look like?

A

Some separation of horn from wall
Pocket impacted with soil
half moon appearance

78
Q

What does a foot abscess look like?

A

Sheep is v lame
Swelling of skin/pus oozing above coronary band
Hoof horn normal but hot
Separation of white line or penetration with stone/thorn may be visible

79
Q

What does a toe granuloma look like?

A

Strawberry-like growth on toe
Sometimes hidden under overgrown horn
Bleeds when handled

Caused by vets and farmers!

80
Q

How do you control footrot?

A

Manage and treat footrot and scald together

EARLY TX best - parenteral Ab and topical spray with no foot trimming

Separate lame sheep with footrot and scald from herd

81
Q

What is the risk of scald turning into footrot?

A

If D.nodosus is on the farm and the virulence of it
Susceptibility of the sheep on farm
If sheep is treated promptly before separation of the hoof horn occurs

82
Q

What is the treatment of footrot?

A

Oxytetracycline spray - on a clean foot
Long acting parenteral ab = oxytetracycline, amoxicillin
Allow sheep to stand on clean concrete
Clean up area regularly

Ideally isolate sheep for 14 d

83
Q

What is the prognosis of footrot?

A

90% recover in 5 d
Recovered in 14d return to flock
If not RETREAT

84
Q

Is routine foot trimming necessary in sheep?

A

No - can cause permanent damage - let foot wear away naturally
Trim only enough for diagnosis (and dispose of clippings)

85
Q

What is Dichelobacter nodosus?

A

Present on >90% UK farms
Lives for up to 7-10 days on pasture (esp warm/moist conditions)
Lives up to 6 weeks in hoof clippings (need to dispose!)
Infected sheep are the main reservoir

86
Q

What is the treatment for scald?

A

Ewes - like footrot
Lambs - Oxytetracycline spray, stand in clean area, re-spray in 5d if necessary
Group outbreaks - Footbaths, turnout in clean field, re-treat sheep if still lame after 5 days

87
Q

When would you cull a sheep from lameness?

A

If still lame from 2 ab tx
If 2 episodes of lameness (repeat offenders)
if mishapened claws

88
Q

What is in Footbathing tx?

A

Concs: 10% ZnSO4, 3% Formalin, NOT CuSO4 (sheep susceptible to copper poisoning)
Stand sheep in Zn for >2mins
Stand sheep for 1 hour afterwards
Turn into a field rested for .14d

89
Q

What preventative tx is available for footrot?

A

Footvax - vacc before high risk periods (Autumn/spring)
Primary - twice 6 weeks apart
Boost - 6 monthly
ALL SHEEP

90
Q

What is the tx for CODD?

A

Tilmicosin

Footbath with lincomycin or tylosin

91
Q

What do CODD and bovine digital dermatitis have in common?

A

Caused by the same Treponemes