Cattle Foot Lameness Flashcards
Three most important causes of lameness in dairy cattle
Sole ulceration
White line disease
Digital dermatitis
Where does most bovine lameness occur?
Lateral claw of hind feet
What structure can protrude through horn in sole ulcers?
Corium (very sensitive)
What is white line disease?
Bruising/inflammation/infection/separation of white line
Factors causing excess pressure on dermis (3)
Calving effect
Environmental factors (including hoof overgrowth)
Changes to normal structure of the hoof
What is the calving effect?
Relaxin causes tendons and ligaments to relax, including suspensory apparatus leading to rotation of the pedal bone
True or false: the fat pad returns to its original quality after damage
False (it becomes scarred and less springy)
What is the problem with prolonged standing time on concrete/hard surfaces?
Flattens and increases the width of the lateral claw which transfers load to central part of sole, increasing pressure on the dermis
True or false: weight loss affects the fat pads
True (especially in lactation)
Which structure is affected by bony change after lameness of the foot?
P3 (increases likelihood of future lameness)
Mild sole haemorrhage/ulceration
Incorporation of blood into horn as sole is produced
Moderate sole haemorrhage/ulceration
Partial/intermittent interruption of horn production at sole ulcer site
Severe sole haemorrhage/ulceration
Horn production completely arrested at sole ulcer site for a prolonged period
Clinical signs of sole ulceration/haemorrhage
Slight to severe lameness
Often both hind feet (one worse)
Predominantly lateral claw of hind feet and medial claw of fore feet
Haemorrhagic discolouration progressing to complete cessation of horn production at sole ulcer site
Possible secondary infection
Deep digital sepsis can occur
Diagnosis of sole ulceration/haemorrhage
Pathognomic once inspected and trimmed
Can use hoof testers if no obvious lameness
Treatment of sole ulcer/haemorrhage
Corrective trimming
‘Dish’ site
Remove underrun horn/granuloma
Apply foot block to sound claw
NSAIDs
Parenteral antibiotics if signs of infecton
Place on deep straw bed if severe
Prognosis for sole ulcers is generally good, but what are the poor prognostic indicators?
Multiple claws affected
Severe lesion
Deep digital sepsis
Clinical signs of white line disease
Moderate to severe lameness
Lateral claw more commonly affected
Swelling at coronary band
+/- large abscess
Leg abducted to bear weight on medial claw
Does white line disease occur at different frequencies in different parts of the foot?
Yes
Diagnosis of white line disease
Pain if “tweak” claw
White line impaction and abscess if trimmed and explored
Small pin prick size holes to large areas of impaction on the white line (always black)
Where can white line disease abscesses erupt from?
Coronary band
Treatment for white line disease
Trim and balance both claws
Explore impacted white line, drain abscess (if present), remove under run sole (at least enough to prevent re-impaction)
If tracked up wall, remove entire section of wall
Antibiotic dressing?
Foot block other claw
NSAIDs
Parenteral antibiotics may be necessary if necrotic corium is found
How long can antibiotic dressing remain on a claw?
48 hours maximum
Prognosis for white line disease
Good
(Tracks up wall more difficult to treat, occasional deep digital sepsis)
True or false: digital dermatitis is endemic in the UK
True (most farms have had a case, those that haven’t need good biosecurity and should check feet of cows before buying in)
Aetiology of digital dermatitis
Multifactorial infectious bacterial disease
(3 groups of spirochetes plus other opportunistic/secondary invaders)
Spirochete groups involved in digital dermatitis
Group 1: Treponema medium/vincentii
Group 2: Treponema phagedenis
Group 3: Treponema pedis
True or false: many ruminant species affected by digital dermatitis
True (cattle, sheep, elk, goats, also pigs)
What is the main reservoir of digital dermatitis?
Lesions on infected animals (may be only reservoir)
Which common foot lameness has genetic susceptibility?
Digital dermatitis (can breed for resistance)