Intro to lameness in farm animals Flashcards
What are the her/flock approaches to lameness?
measure lameness: mobility scoring, prevalence
identify animals that need immediate attention
consider lesions involved: lesion type prevalence
prevention: husbandry/management changes, “medical”
What does mobility scoring in cattle help identify?
identify lame individuals + enable targeted tx
quantify the size of the issue at the herd level
identify relevant herd level preventative measures
What is the 5 point plan for control and prevention of footrot?
tx: correct tx
culling: 2/3 strikes and you’re out
quarantine: source from flocks controlling footrot, check feet of incoming sheep, footbath twice, isolate for 28 days
vaccination: footvax vaccine
avoidance: dry underfoot conditions, lime on hard standing, unidirectional flow of sheep, disinfection of hoof shears
What are the aetiologic causes of lameness?
infectious
traumatic
key factors: husbandry/management, nutrition, environment, biosecurity
What are lameness causes related to surfaces?
rough tracks/concrete
stones
foreign bodies
slippery concrete and new super rough concrete - thin soles
uneven broken concrete
wet conditions
What are the lameness causes related to cow factors?
BCS loss/thin cow
p3 descent/rotation for corkscrews
foot angle and toe length/overgrowth
horn quality
chronic foot changes/pedal bone changes and fat pad scarring
MMP and relaxin calving period suspensor ligament slackening
What are the lameness causes related to farm factors?
cow handling
lack of routine trimming, care with over trimming
prolonged standing
lost of sharp turns or blind ending alleys
biosecurity
routine foot bathing
slurry management
biotin supplementation for horn quality
backing gates
dogs/quads
walking distance
bedding material
cubicle comfort
stocking rates
feed space
What cow factors can cause poor horn quality?
nutritional deficits
-> biotin supplementation can be protective
What farm factors can soften/harden horn?
standing in wet/slurry: soften
formalin footbath: harden
What factors can cause thin soles?
over trimming?
rough new concrete?
