Lameness in Cattle Flashcards
Is lameness important in cattle?
Yes!
Where are 88-92% of lameness issues in cattle located?
Where specifically?
- Hoof
- Lateral hind hoof
What are 4 possible locations of hoof lameness in cattle?
- Digits
- Sole ulcer/abscess
- White line disease
- Interdigital necrobacillosis (footrot)
What are 4 possible causes of hoof lameness in cattle?
- Corns (interdigital fibromas)
- Hairy foot warts
- Septic arthritis
- Wounds
What are 3 reasons it is important to ID and treat lameness issues promptly?
- Superficial conditions progress to deep infections
- Deep infections are extremely difficult to treat
- Revenue losses/cost of treatment
What are 4 types of structures that where a superficial injury can progress to a deep infection?
- Synovial structures
- Bone
- Tendons
- Ligaments
What are 5 general factors that can play a role in lameness?
- Environment
- Genetics
- Nutrition
- Management
- Infection
What are 5 signs of lameness to look for in cattle?
- Hunched up back
- Head bob
- Joints not flexing equally
- Limping, reluctance to bear weight
- Not tracking up
What is a good surface to evaluate lameness in cattle on?
Level dry area
Which digit is usually affected in the forelimb?
Medial digit
Which digit is usually affected in the hindlimb?
Lateral digit
If a cow is putting weight onto right front lateral digit, where is the cause of lameness most likely located?
Right front medial digit
If a cow is putting weight on the medial side of the right hind hoof, where is the cause of the lameness most likely located?
Right hind lateral digit
How often are hooves trimmed in dairy cattle?
Every 6 months
What is a tool that is used to help restrain cattle for hoof trimming?
How long can it be used for?
- Hoof trimming tilt table
- Can keep on table for about 30-45 minutes
When trimming hooves in cattle, how much sole should be left?
About 1/4 inch
How long should the length of the hoof be from coronary band to toe in cattle?
3 inches
What should be done before removing a nail from a hoof?
Why?
- Take a radiograph
- Check to see if any internal structures are affected.
What are 2 possible causes of laminitis?
- High concentrate diet
- Secondary to mastitis and metritis
What are 3 differences in the presentation of laminitis seen between cattle and horses?
- Don’t see rotation as often in cattle
- See horizontal grooves in cattle
- See deviation of hoof wall in cattle
What type of stance can be seen with hind limb laminitis cattle?
Cross leg stance
Which digits are usually affected when a cross leg stance is seen in cattle?
Medial digits in hind limbs
Which NSAID can be used in cattle to treat acute laminitis?
Flunixin meglumine
What are 3 ways to treat chronic laminitis?
- Hoof trimming
- Diet
- Good husbandry
A dry hoof wall can lead to what type of defect?
Is this a significant problem?
- Vertical crack
- Not usually a big deal
What are 2 forms of treatment for a vertical crack?
- Debridement
- Block good digit
What is a tool that can be used to debride a hoof wall with a vertical crack?
Small Dremel
A non-infectious skin growth that can occur between the digits is known as what?
Corn (interdigital fibroma)
What can happen if a corn becomes infected?
It can become ulcerated and painful.
What are 2 forms of treatment that can be used for a corn?
- Hoof trim
- Surgery to remove corn
Are corns more common in males or females?
Males
What are 5 components included in treating a corn?
- Tilt/trimming table
- Sedation
- Tourniquet
- IV block
- Local block
What type of healing is used with corn treatment?
Second intention wound healing
What should be taken off last when treating a corn?
Tourniquet
What is another name for papillomatous digital dermatitis?
Hairy Foot Wart
Is papillomatous digital dermatitis more common in beef or dairy cattle?
Dairy cattle
What is an example of an infectious agent that can cause papillomatous digital dermatitis?
Treponema (spirochete)
Is papillomatous digital dermatitis infectious?
Yes, highly infectious
Where is the majority of papillomatous digital dermatitis located in the hoof of cattle?
80% located in plantar aspect of hind feet
What are 4 possible treatments for papillomatous digital dermatitis?
- Topical antibiotics
- Clean area
- Foot baths
- Vaccination
What are 2 types of topical antibiotics that can be used to treat papillomatous digital dermatitis?
- Tetracycline
- Lincomycin
What is a potential problem with using a foot bath to treat papillomatous digital dermatitis?
May spread
What can be used to test for sole abscesses in cattle?
Hoof testers
What are 3 aspects of treating a sole abscess in cattle?
- Drain purulent material
- Debride: must remove all detached sole
- Block “good” digit
What type of healing is used with sole abscesses in cattle?
Wound allowed to heal by secondary intention
What is something that can be done with a chronic sole abscess to evaluate it?
Fistulogram
When working on a digit with a sole abscess, what should be done with the other digit?
The “good” digit should be blocked
What is something that can be used to raise the diseased digit?
Hoof block
How are hoof blocks removed?
Usually wear off but can also be removed with nippers.
Do you have the same risk of contralateral laminitis in cattle as you do in horses?
No, less risk in cattle.
What are 3 possible etiologies for sole abscesses in horses?
- Trauma
- Puncture
- Deep cracks in sole
What are 4 possible clinical signs seen with sole abscesses in horses?
- Sudden onset severe lameness
- Increased digital pulses
- Possible heat and swelling
- Discoloration of sole
Why are sole abscesses in horses considered an emergency?
Ascending infection or expansion of abscesses to other tissue.
What tool can be used to look for sole abscesses in horses?
Hoof tester
What can be used to pare away the sole of the hoof to look for discoloration?
Hoof knife
If a sole abscess is not open, what should be done with it?
If you can’t do this then what should you do?
- Open and drain
- Soak hoof
How should a sole abscess be treated in a horse once it has been opened?
What needs to be left intact?
- Remove all undermined sole
- Leave the hoof wall intact
What do you soak a horse hoof in to soften it and help open a deep abscess?
Warm water and epsom salt
Do you continue soaking a hoof once the abscess has ben opened?
No
What are 2 things that should be done to the hoof of a horse once an abscess has been opened?
- Lavage with dilute betadine solution
- Apply poultice
What are two everyday items that can be used to help protect the hoof after an abscess has been opened in a horse?
What can the top be sealed with?
- Duct tape and baby diaper
- Seal top with elastikon
What are 2 more conventional means of protecting a hoof after an abscess has been opened in a horse?
- Treatment plate/plate shoes
- Easy boot
What is the name for when an abscess has travelled up the hoof wall and ruptured out the coronary band?
Gravel
What are 3 requirements for treating severe cases of solar abscesses in horses?
- Sterile bandaging packed with betadine or antibiotics
- Change bandage daily
Cover inner bandage with cotton padding and bandage hoof (or use sole plate)
Where should a horse be kept with severe cases of solar abscesses?
In a stall with deep, soft bedding for support.
What are 2 antibiotics that can be combined as a paste to pack in a sterile bandage to treat severe cases of solar abscesses in horses?
- Metronidazole
- Gentamicin
What type of a vaccination has to be given with a sole abscess?
Tetanus toxoid booster
What is an NSAID that can be given to horses with sole abscesses?
Phenylbutazone
Are antibiotics usually used in horses in the treatment of sole abscesses?
Not usually
What is the prognosis for sole abscesses?
Good to excellent
How quickly can improvement be seen after treatment of a sole abscess?
Less than 24 hours, can be immediate.
How long are sole abscesses in horses usually treated for?
7-14 days
When can horses return to work after having a sole abscess?
When lameness subsides.
How long might a horse require a pad or treatment plate for after having a sole abscess?
Up to 6 months
What are 2 signs of improvement to look for after treating a horse for a sole abscess?
- Lameness resolves
- Tissue cornifies
What are 2 signs that a horse’s condition is worsening after being treated for a sole abscess?
- Lameness persists, doesn’t want to stand/walk
- Decreased appetite
What are 2 examples of additional diagnostics that can be considered if a horse’s condition is worsening after being treated for a sole abscess?
- Radiographs
- Fistulogram
What are 3 ways to try to prevent sole abscess formation in the horse?
- Clean hooves daily
- Keep environment clean and dry
- Hoof supplements
What are 3 examples of hoof supplements that can be used in the attempt to prevent hoof abscesses in horses?
- Biotin
- Methionine
- Zinc
