Lameness

Question 1

What % do the following groups experience lameness?
- Total dairy herd average
- Beef finishing cattle
- Beef suckler cattle
- Adult ewe
- Total sheep flock average

Answer 1

• Total dairy herd average = 30%
• Beef finishing cattle = 8%
• Beef suckler cattle = 14%
• Adult ewe = 3.2%
• Total sheep flock average = 10%

Question 2

What are the 3 main influential factors that cause lameness (give a couple examples)?

(cows)

Answer 2

Environmental factors (flooring surface, standing/pooling water)
Managerial factors (hoof-trimming and hygiene routine, stocking density)
Individual cow factors (behaviour, gait)

Question 3

Give two examples of conditions that impact the following parts of the musculoskeletal system:
- Hoof/foot (distal limb)
- Hock (lower limb)
- Stifle (mid limb)
- Hip and pelvis (upper limb)

(cows)

Answer 3

• Hoof/foot (distal limb) = white line disease, digital dermatitis, sole ulcers
• Hock (lower limb) = infectious or septic arthritis, friction injury due to housing
• Stifle (mid limb) = sciatic nerve damage, cruciate injury
• Hip and pelvis (upper limb) = calving paralysis, femoral nerve paralysis

Question 4

In the UK what conditions on dairy farms are considered the ‘big three’?

Answer 4

1. Sole ulcer
2. White line disease
3. Digital dermatitis

Question 5

What is white line disease?

Answer 5

The horn of the wall separates from the horn of the sole. Sometimes, there is blood staining (bruising) or infection.

Question 6

What is digital dermatitis?

Answer 6

INFECTIOUS

A highly contagious, erosive infection usually affecting the skin on the bulbs of the heel but it can also be found between the digits or in the area of the coronary band.

Question 7

What is a sole ulcer?

Answer 7

A pressure point exists towards the back of the sole leading to poor horn formation and bleeding in the horn. Sole ulcers progress from sole haemorrhage.

Question 8

What are some of the risks/causes of the big 3 in cattle?

Answer 8

Sole Ulcers
- standing up for long periods on uneven uncomfortable surfaces
White Line
- slats
- flooring
Digital Dermatitis
- footbaths

Question 9

What 6 foot diseases that are common in sheep and what % does each condition make up?

Answer 9

Scald - 45%
Contagious ovine digital dermatitis (CODD) - 20%
Foot rot - 17%
Toe granuloma - 6%
Toe abscess - 6%
Shelly hoof - 6%

Question 10

What is scald (sheep)?

Answer 10

Interdigital Dermatitis - INFECTIOUS

Red/pink inflammation of skin between toes with white/grey pasty ‘scum’ on top. Can have a strong smell. Sheep can be very lame with only minor lesions. Scald is early presentation of footrot.

Question 11

What is foot rot (sheep)?

Answer 11

INFECTIOUS

A bacterial infection causing a separation of hoof horn starting in the inter-digital space. Once established, the sole horn and outer wall horn may be under-run. Common in sheep.

Question 12

What is contagious ovine digital dermatitis (sheep)?

Answer 12

INFECTIOUS

Initially occurs at the top of the hoof (coronary band). Infection starts as a small ulcerated area at the coronary band. The infection progresses to under run the hoof horn capsule downwards towards the toe. The whole horn capsule may fall off.

Question 13

What are the 5 steps in the 5 point plan to reduce sheep-lameness?

Answer 13

Cull (if sheep has been affected twice or more)
Quarantine (new or ill animals)
Treat (asap)
Avoid (management)
Vaccinate (build flock immunity)