musculoskeletal diseases

Question 1

what are the common causes of lameness?

Answer 1

-hoof rot
-sole ulcers/abscesses
-laminitis

Question 2

what are the clinical signs of hoof rot and sole ulcers/abscesses?

Answer 2

-swelling
-fever
-foul smell

Question 3

what are the treatment options for animals w/ lameness due to hoof rot and sole ulcers/abscesses?

Answer 3

-hoof trimming (clean, clip necrotic tissue, treat, wrap)
-pain medication
-improve and maintain sanitation
-dietary management: reduce high-grain feed and access to lush, spring pasture; increase long-stem forage

Question 4

list the preventative measures for animals w/ lameness due to hoof rot and sole ulcers/abscesses.

Answer 4

-avoid overcrowding
-minimize unnecessary standing
-provide properly designed and maintained stalls
-flooring should provide good traction
-maintain and administer foot baths

Question 5

explain the etiology, clinical signs, and treatment for lameness in sows.

Answer 5

etiology:
-caused by congenital or developmental abnormalities
-associated w/ infections, trauma-related injuries, underlying metabolic diseases

clinical signs:
-off feed
-sometimes fever
-swollen joints/fractures
-loss of balance
-dog-sitting position
-resistant to mating

treatment:
-sow claw trimming (requires proper restraint)

Question 6

what are the clinical signs of lameness in weaners/growers?

Answer 6

-off feed
-sometimes fever
-reluctance to stand
-difficulty moving
-swollen joints/fractures

Question 7

list the preventative measures for lameness in pigs.

Answer 7

-early ID and removal to hospital pen
-reducing stocking density and avoiding mixing herds

Question 8

what is white line disease (PIGS)?

Answer 8

-separation of hoof corneum from underlying tissue
-results in an opening/crack for bacteria to invade/destroy healthy tissue

Question 9

what are the etiology, clinical signs, and treatment for lameness in broiler chickens?

Answer 9

etiology:
-caused by high density housing and genetic manipulation (poor walking ability and locomotion)
-age of bird, bird genotype, amount of darkness provided each day, no use of antibiotics
-staph infections

clinical signs:
-recumbency (leaning/reclining)
-swollen hock joint

treatment:
-slow growth rate
-sequential feeding method

Question 10

what are the etiology and treatment for lameness in egg-layer chickens?

Answer 10

etiology:
-caused by diet, bodily demands (egg production, osteoporosis), footpad disorders, and housing (conventional cages)

treatment:
-improve housing: adequate space, sanitation, liter management

Question 11

what are the causes of lameness in horses?

Answer 11

-caused by combination of poor genetics, overuse at young age, conformation issues

Question 12

explain the etiology, clinical signs, diagnosis, and treatment for laminitis.

Answer 12

etiology:
-inflammation of the laminae (structure that holds hoof capsule on coffin bone)
-failure of attachment between P3 and hoof wall
-most causes are nutritional

clinical signs:
-acute phase: first 48 hrs: pain in limb(s), resistance to move, increased digital pulse
-chronic phase: >48 hrs: distortion of hoof capsule, rings on hoof, thinning of sole/toe cracking, pointed tip of coffin bone (seen on x-ray), short, stiff gait

diagnosis:
-lateral hood radiograph: rotation of coffin bone
-lameness exam

treatment:
-correction of husbandry/underlying issue
-control pain: NSAIDs, icing hoof(ves)
-support coffin bone: corrective shoeing every 4-6 weeks, hoof wall resection, soft bedding

prognosis: guarded; dependent on degree of coffin bone rotation