LOCOMOTION - Lameness and Gait Recognition Flashcards
What is lameness?
Lameness is the incapability of normal locomotion or deviation from the normal gait
How would you describe a dairy cow with a lameness score of 0 (good mobility)?
A cow with a lameness score of 0 should walk with even weight bearing and rhythm on all four feet with a flat back
How would you describe a dairy cow with a lameness score of 1 (imperfect mobility)?
A cow with a lameness score of 1 has uneven rhythm and/or weight bearing or shortened strides. The affected limbs or limb will not be immediately identifiable
What is the course of action required if a dairy cow has a lameness score of 1?
The cow should receive routine foot trimming if needed and undergo further observation
How would you describe a dairy cow with a lameness score of 2 (impaired mobility)?
A cow with a lameness score of 2 has uneven weight bearing on a limb that is immediately identifiable and/or has obviously shortened strides. With a lameness score of 2, the cow usually has an arch at the centre of their back
What is the course of action required if a dairy cow has a lameness score of 2?
The cow should have their foot lifted to establish the course of treatment and be attended to as soon as possible
How would you describe a dairy cow with a lameness score of 3 (severely impaired mobility)?
A cow with a lameness score of 3 has the same clinical signs as a score 2 cow however is also unable to keep up with the healthy herd
What is the course of action required if a dairy cow has a lameness score of 3?
The cow requires urgent attention and further professional advice. The cow should not be made to walk and should be kept on grass or straw. In severe cases, culling may be the only option
Describe the overgrowth cycle of the bovine hoof
Increased pressure on the feet will cause an increased growth rate resulting in a loss of normal weight distribution which can result in a grossly malformed foot predisposed to several causes of lameness
Where on the bovine hoof does overgrowth occur and how does this affect weight-bearing?
In the bovine hoof, overgrowth occurs abaxially and anteriorly, causing weightbearing to shift posteriorly
What are the three steps required to prepare for a corrective bovine foot trim?
Assessment of the cow
Clean the foot
Carry out safety procedures
What are the five steps to a corrective bovine foot trim?
- Correct the length of the dorsal hoof wall
- Reduce excessive sole
- Shape the axial surface
- Attend to obvious problems with the foot
- Attend to the heels
How long should the bovine dorsal hoof wall be?
75mm between the coronary band and the tip of the toe
Which instrument is used to correct the length of the dorsal hoof wall during a bovine corrective trim?
Hand nippers
List three examples of solar lesions that commonly cause bovine lameness
Solar bruising
Solar ulcers
Solar abrasion
What causes bovine solar lesions?
Solar lesions are caused by repetitive, excessive trauma to the sole such as standing for too long or walking too far
List two examples of white line lesions that commonly cause bovine lameness
White line abscess
Axial wall lesion
What causes bovine white line lesions?
White line lesions are caused by weakening of the interdigitation between the epidermal and dermal laminae due to twisting of the foot, softening by constant moisture, sharp stones or laminitis
List three examples of skin lesions that commonly cause bovine lameness
Digital dermatitis
Interdigital dermatitis
Interdigital necrobacillosis
Which bacteria causes bovine digital/interdigital dermatitis?
Mixed treponema bacteria infection
How should bovine interdigital dermatitis be treated?
Repeated foot baths and topical antibiotic spray
What is the main bacteria that causes interdigital necrobacillosis?
Fusobacterium necrophorum
How should interdigital necrobacillosis be treated?
Systemic antibiotics
Identify this bovine hoof lesion
Solar bruising
Identify this bovine hoof lesion
Solar ulcer
Identify this bovine hoof lesion
Solar abrasion
Identify this bovine hoof lesion
White line abscess
Identify this bovine hoof lesion
Axial wall lesion
Identify this bovine hoof lesion
Digital dermatitis
Identify this bovine hoof lesion
Interdigital dermatitis
Identify this bovine hoof lesion
Interdigital necrobacillosis
Which factors should be considered when designing a roadway for cattle to reduce the lameness risk?
Dry
Smooth/even surface
Wide enough to prevent congestion (and allow dominance)
Why is it so important to provide cattle with comfortable surfaces to lie down on?
If cattle are inclined to lie down, they spend less time standing and thus there are lower lameness risks as their feet will be under less pressure
Which three factors can increase standing time for cattle?
Poor access to beds
Poor cubicle design
Time locked out of the bedded area
How would you describe a horse with a lameness score of 0 according to the AAEP scale?
Lameness not identifiable
How would you describe a horse with a lameness score of 1 according to the AAEP scale?
Lameness is difficult to observe and not consistently apparent regardless of the circumstances
How would you describe a horse with a lameness score of 2 according to the AAEP scale?
Lameness is difficult to observe at a walk or when trotting in a straight line but consistently apparent under certain circumstances (lunge and ridden)