Bovine Lameness: Specific Conditions
digital dermatitis
management and prevention
hygiene
avoid wet and/or abrasive walking surfaces
footbaths
prevent infected animals from entering herd
external appearance
quite a variety of presentations
painful, bright, ulcerated (active)
less painful, gre, black, circular granulomatous lesions (chronic)
+/- white edges/"hairs"
clearly demarcated lesion
risk factors
mechanical irritation of skin
maceration by water
chemicals from manure
weakened skin barrier
genetics, too
treatment
topical tetracycline + wrap if active
non-abx compounds w/ heavy metals
condition
infectious and contagious skin infection
commonly in interdigital cleft
Treponema spp.
joint/flexor sheath sepsis
external appearance
non-weight bearing
unilateral
swollen and painful
+/- fistulous draining tracts above digit
hoof tester sensitive
lamess improves with IVRA
joint fluid >40k cells/uL
rads
widening of joint space
periosteal rxn
bone lysis
risk factors
direct pathogen inoculation(wound or injection)
local extension of infection
hoof ulcer
foot rot
hematogenous
treatment
high volume lavage
NSAIDs
4 weeks systemic abx w/ chronic infection
may amputate digit if...
unilateral
smaller stature animal
not housed on slatted floors
arthrodese joint
bulls
heavy animals
uneven flooring
valuable animals
foot rot
condition
sporadic
soft tissue infection
usually sudden onset
commonly caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum
external appearance
sudden onset of lameness
swelling above coronary band affecting both claws + interdigital space
symmetrical swelling
risk factors
defect in interdigital skin
opportunistic infection
treatment
oxytetracycline
ceftiofur
tulathromycin
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removal of dead tissue
bandages
management/prevention
sole ulcers
external appearance
severe hemorrhage/protrusion of corium beneath flexoor tuberosity of P3
hoof test causes pain withdrawal
risk factors
continuous pressure from flexor tuberosity of P3 on corium
mechanical or metabolic alterations altering hoof structure
treatment
NSAIDs
remove loose horn around cornium
reduce pressue on lesion
removal of horn around periphery of lesion
apply properly sized hoof block (transfer weight to good claw)
management/prevention
ensure adequate lying down time
don't allow cows to be away from pens for more than 3-4 hours
minimize negative E balance
follow appropriate hoof trimming schedule
white line disease
external appearance
hemorrhages
separations
abscesses
hoof tested painful areas of white line separation
risk factors
compromised P3 suspensory mechanism
leads to damage to white line producing-keratinocytes
shearing forces + weaker horn = fissure formation
fissues allow entry of bactera and FBs
fast-walkin' cow
slipping while walking
treatment
NSAIDs
removal of loose horn around lesion, include wall
reduce pressure on lesion
horn removal
hoof block
management/prevention
avoid excessive trauma to white line region
ensure walking surfaces and handling allows cows to walk at their own pace
prevent slips
add Cu and Zn to diet
increases horn strength
appropriate hoof trimmin
interdigital fibroma
condition
growth in interdigital space
may be associated with foot rot
external appearance
hairless mass b/w digits
located on dorsal aspect of interdigital space
lesion extends from coronary band
may become ulceraed and foul smelling
trapped debris
+/- lameness
risk factors
underdeveloped ligamentous support
Herefords and Friesans predisposed
bulls more common
hindlimbs more common
overspreading of digits
treatment
mass removal
IVRA
perilesional anesthesia
foot bandages w/ toes together
abx if persistent