Production Animal Lameness Flashcards
In cattle, what is the most likely location causing lameness?
90% feet - of which 90% is hind limb of which 65% is lateral claw
How are cattle scored for lameness?
0 - flat back, even weight bearing and rhythm on all 4 feet
1 - uneven steps, shortened stride but limb not easily identifiable
2 - uneven weight bearing immediately obvious, shortened strides, arch in centre of back
3 - unable to walk as fast as brisk human pace and signs for 2
Describe the cause, pathogenesis and treatment for sole ulcers in cattle…
Environmental conditions (standing on concrete for a long time) and decreased BCS (decreased digital cushion thickness)
Sole ulcers start at P3 process, cows then alter gait to protect damaged claw leading to decompensation and secondary infection by treponemes (causing digi derm).
Clean and trim hoof - thin down hoof wall and remove anything in front of swollen chorium to allow drainage. Take weight off of claw by trimming down back 2/3rds and applying a block to the other claw. Antibiotics and NSAIDs, clean the yard!
Describe the pathogenesis, clinical signs and treatment for white line diease in cattle…
Poor horn quality, wet conditions, stones, P3 descent, BCS loss, thin soles, turns?
Bruising and separation of hoof wall, abscess, ulceration
Drain pus and pare out for good drainage. Cut away dead horn and apply a block. NSAIDs and antibiotics (oxytet).
Biotin supplement is protective.
Explain the cause, scoring and treatment of digital dermatitis in cattle…
Treponeme infection
M1 - ulcer <2cm M2 - ulcer >2cm M3 - regressing M4.1 - reactivating M4 - hyperkeratotic (warty)
M1 - clean, dry, topical antibiotics (oxytet)
M2/M4 - as M1 but debride and bandage
Prevent with footbaths, slurry management and biosecurity.
Outline the causes, clinical signs and treatment of foul in cattle…
Acute bacterial infection of subcutaneous tissue with Fuscobacterium necrophorum often associated with fb/sand in toes
Symmetrical swelling, claw separation, interdigital skin necrosis (odour)
Clean and debride interdigital space, disinfect and give antibiotics (cephalexin/oxytet)
Name as many causes of lameness in cattle:
Sole ulcers, white line disease, digital dermatitis, foul, corkscrew claw, toe necrosis, deep digital sepsis, interdigital hyperplasia, wall ulcers
How would you prepare the bovine claw for amputation?
Give antibitoics, analgesia and anaesthesia (procaine regional IV - test interdigital space as is the last place to become desensitised)
Describe the process of claw amputation in the bovine…
- Incise into interdigital space 2-3cm up at skin fold
- Use embryotomy wire to cut up then obliquely outward - cutting through P1 and not P2 (as can leave sequestrum behind)
- Remove any excess tissue
- Apply melolin and pressure dressing, and a block to the unaffected claw
Describe the cause, clinical signs and treatment of scald in the ovine…
Fusobacterium necrophorum
Red, wet interdigital space. May be white/grey scum and loss of hair in interdigital space.
Ewes - treat as footrot (clean and oxytet)
Lambs - spray with oxytet and clean environment
If group outbreak - footbath and turnout into a clean field
Can progress to footrot if D. nodosus present and if sheep susceptible - more likely to occur if sheep not treated promptly.
Describe the cause, clinical signs, treatment and control of footrot in the ovine…
Separation of horn from underlying tissue - starts between claws,
Dichelobacter nodosus
Foul smelling, oozing pus
Clean foot, spray with oxytet, clean environment and put into isolation (14 days).
Describe the clinical signs, cause and treatment of CODD in the ovine…
Loss of hair around coronary band, separation of hoof from coronary band, may be blood. Can cause degloving of whole claw.
Treponemes
Tilmicosin or footbath with lincomycin/tylosin
What is shelly hoof, what are the clinical sign?
Some separation of hoof from wall, ‘half moon’ appearance.
White line lesion equivalent in cattle.
Describe toe granulomas in sheep…
Strawberry like growth at toe (can be hidden under ovegrown horn) which bleeds when handled.
Can be induced by foot trimming.
When should culling be considered as an option for a lame sheep?
If sheep is still lame after 2x antibiotics treatments, has had 2+ episodes or if the claws are mishapened.
