Production Animal Lameness

Question 1

What are the four most common causes of lameness in production animals?

Answer 1

Sole Ulcers
White Line disease
Digital Dermatitis
Foul

Question 2

Vets are mostly called out to deal with which three causes of lameness?

Answer 2

Toe/ claw necrosis
Deep digital sepsis (foul)
Hip dislocation/ lesions

Question 3

What causes wall ulcers in cattle?

Answer 3

White line disease not treated quick enough

Question 4

How do we treat toe/ claw necrosis?

Answer 4

Amputation

Question 5

What is foul?

Answer 5

Infection of the hoof capsule

Question 6

An exposed corium on a cow indicates a….

Answer 6

sole ulcer

Question 7

How do we mobility score cattle?

Answer 7

Given a score of 0-3
0 being even weigh bearing and fluid gait
3 being unable to walk at the same pace as human with uneven weight bearing and shortened strides

Question 8

How regular should we foot trim ideally?

Answer 8

a 100 day in milk check and a trim at the dry off stage

Question 9

Cows tend to weight bear on….

Answer 9

hindfeet and on the the lateral/ outside claw

Question 10

What are we checking for when performing a cattle physical exam in terms of lameness? (5)

Answer 10

Foot vs leg lameness
Check symmetry
Feel for heat- especially at the joints and tendons
Check sensation- penniculus reflex
Manipulate rectal exam- check for scraping of the pelvis

Question 11

Briefly describe the objectives in each step of the Dutch 5 Step Trim?

Answer 11

1. create a foot angle of 52 degrees
2. create balance between claws
3. transfer weight from sole to wall, toe and heel
4. remove weight from painful claw
5. remove loose or sharp horn

Question 12

What do we mean by an uncomplicated sole ulcer?

Answer 12

a full thickness ulcer that goes all the way through the corium (sometimes with the corium prolapsing through)- occurs over 3-4 months

Question 13

How is it best to treat an uncomplicated sole ulcer?

Answer 13

Relieve weight/ pressure & remove collar then add a block and give anti-inflammatories

Question 14

What NSAIDs can be given to cattle after sole ulcer removal and what should be considered when prescribing these? (2)

Answer 14

Metacam- milk withdrawal
Ketofen- no milk withdrawal but slower onset of action

Question 15

What are the biggest risks that may cause cattle to develop sole ulcers after calving?

Answer 15

Prolonged standing
Overgrown claws (weight distribution changes after birth)
BCS loss (loss of fat pad)

Question 16

What are the characteristic physical signs of White line disease on the hoof? (2)

Answer 16

bruising
‘train tracks’

Question 17

What antibacterial product can be given to cattle after hoof treatment?

Answer 17

Oxytetracycline spray

Question 18

What increases cattle’s risk of developing white line disease?

Answer 18

Poor horn quality
Environment- Wet conditions, stones & sharp turns in the yard
BCS

Question 19

How is digital dermatitis scored?

Answer 19

M1- M4
with M1 being ulcerative but less than 2cm and M4 being hyperkeratotic

Question 20

How do we treat M1 & M2 digital dermatitis?

Answer 20

keep clean & dry, apply topical antibacterial (blue/ oxytetracycline) spray

Question 21

How do we treat M4 digital dermatitis?

Answer 21

clean, debride (under local anaesthetic if necessary), bandage with antibacterial agent and then treat with copper spray, salicylic acid aka aspirin (not licensed!) or tetracycline

Question 22

What is the most effective herd level management we can do to prevent production animal lameness?

Answer 22

Footbathing!

Question 23

What bacteria causes foul in the foot?

Answer 23

Fusobacterium necrophorum

Question 24

What is superfoul of the foot?

Answer 24

Severe peracute form of foul- involving mixed bacterial infections

Question 25

How is foul of the foot treated?

Answer 25

Clean/ debride the interdigital space, disinfect and then inject antibiotic such as Cephalexin

Question 26

What anaesthesia is provided for cattle claw amputation?

Answer 26

procaine

Question 27

What three methods are there for claw amputation and what are the problems with each method?

Answer 27

1. Amputate at the P1-P2 joint- leaving cartilage exposed (poor healing)
2. Amputate further down leaving a small fragment of P2 left which disturbs blood flow and healing
3. Amputate 1/4 of the way up P1