Introduction to Bovine Lameness

Question 1

List five ways in which lameness can affect a cow’s health

Answer 1

Pain and discomfort
Behaviour changes
Susceptibility to other disease
Yield
Reproductive performance

Question 2

List 5 direct costs to the farmer of cow lameness

Answer 2

Treatment costs
Vet time
Farmer time
Milk discarded
Reduced milk yield

Question 3

List 4 indirect costs to the farmer of cow lameness

Answer 3

Increased risk of culling
Effects on fertility
Risk of further lameness cases
Risk of secondary disease

Question 4

What is the prevalence of lameness in dairy herds across the UK?

Answer 4

~36%

Question 5

What does incidence mean in terms of disease?

Answer 5

Cases/100 cows/year

Question 6

What does prevalence mean in terms of disease?

Answer 6

% affected at a point in time

Question 7

At what rate does the wall of the hoof grow?

Answer 7

5mm/month

Question 8

What is the coronary band?

Answer 8

Junction between skin and horn
Produces the wall horn

Question 9

What is the periople and what is its purpose?

Answer 9

Junction between skin and horn at coronary band
Forms waxy coat to hoof.

Question 10

Which structures meet at the white line?

Answer 10

Wall and sole

Question 11

Which structure produces the horn?

Answer 11

Stratum germinativum

Question 12

List two functions of the digital cushion of the foot.

Answer 12

Shock absorber
Pumps blood from the foot

Question 13

What structures do the laminae of the foot join?

Answer 13

Wall and P3

Question 14

Which parts of the laminae are sensitive/insensitive?

Answer 14

Sensitive dermal laminae from P3
Insensitive epidermal laminae from hoof wall

Question 15

What is the normal length of the anterior wall of the hoof?

Answer 15

80mm

Question 16

List four things that will affect horn growth rates

Answer 16

Loading (increased loading increases growth)
Claw (outside>inside on the hind feet)
Nutrition
Age/breed

Question 17

Where does wall growth and sole growth start from?

Answer 17

Wall growth - starts from the coronary band
Sole growth - starts from the sole corium

Question 18

List four cow factors affecting horn wear

Answer 18

Horn quality
Hoof conformation
Limb conformation
Udder size and structure

Question 19

List 2 external factors affecting horn wear

Answer 19

Underfoot conditions
Mangement factors

Question 20

Describe how cows would normally weight bear.

Answer 20

Forelimb - 60% of body weight, more carried on the inside claw.
Hindlimb - 40% of bodyweight, more carried on outside claw