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Bovine lameness |
1. Contusions of sole,
2. Ulceration of sole,
3. Laminitis,
4. Sand cracks,
5. Inter digital fibroma,
5. hoof deformities
1. Contusions of sole
More common in cattle that are used to pull heavy load carts, especially on metallic roads
for a longer period.
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Schematic Diagram |
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Contusions of sole |
Etiology
• Pressing of a blunt foreign body.
• Excessive wearing of the sole.
Symptoms
• Lameness of various degrees.
• Affected area turns pink, yellow, or bluish initially and finally blackish.
• Adducted or abducted position to avoid weight-bearing.
• Reluctant to walk on a hard surface and prefer soft grounds.
Diagnosis
• History and clinical signs.
• Clinical examination of the hoof.
• Hoof tester can elicit pain on the affected site.
Treatment
• Not allow the affected animal to walk on a hard surface, provide rest and keep the animal on
soft bedding.
• Cleaning and freshening of the wound.
• Use antiseptic dressing and bandaging.
• Antibiotics may be used when an infection is suspected.
2. Ulceration of sole
Sole ulcer generally occurs on the lateral claw of the hindfoot and medial claw of the
front foot.
More commonly occurs in the hindfoot and one or both feet may be affected.
A sole ulcer is among the most common cause of the lameness in dairy cattle.
Etiology
• Continues injury at the sole
• Excessive weight bearing
• Abnormal claw confirmation
Symptoms
• Moderate to severe degree of lameness.
• Presence of ulcer at the sole region.
• Granulation tissue may protrude through the horn.
Diagnosis
• From clinical signs.
Treatment
• The aim of treatment is to relieve pressure on the ulcer.
• Therapeutic trimming consists of pairing out of the affected area around the ulcerated sole
or lesion that helps to relieve pressure and allows healing to occur.
• Topical application of copper sulfate and/ astringents followed by bandaging is
necessary to control infection and prevent the regrowth of the granulation tissue.
3. Sand cracks (Vertical and horizontal fissures, wall cracks, quarter cracks)
Vertical fissures or sand cracks are longitudinal fissures of the dorsal horn wall of the
hooves.
In addition to age, the prevalence of fissures increases with increasing weight and body
condition score.
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Vertical fissures |
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Sand Crack |
Etiology
• Hereditary
• Imperfect horn growth
• Improper diet.
• Chronic laminitis.
Symptoms
• Presence of complete/incomplete vertical cracks in the hoof wall.
• Animal feels severe pain when the underlying tissue gets exposed.
Treatment
• Continuous rasping.
• Inverted 'V' shapes firing.
• Filling the coal tar and synthetic resins reduces the extension of ventral sand cracks.
• In severe painful conditions,nerve blocks may be tried.
• Severe cases with all four limbs affected, it may be advised to cull the animal.
4. Inter-digital fibroma
(Inter-digital granuloma/Inter-digital vegetative dermatitis, fibroma, wart)
It is a proliferative reaction of interdigital skin and/subcutaneous tissue to form a firm mass.
It can affect one or more limbs, but hind limbs tend to be affected more frequently.
Etiology:-
• Common in heavy and fatty animals such as bull and mature cows.
• Sequels of FMD
Symptoms
• Presences of fibrous mass between inter digital space of affected foot.
• Moderate lameness.
Diagnosis
• From clinical signs:- examination of the inter-digital area.
Treatment
• In simple cases with small growths, the treatment may not be necessary.
• Surgical removal may be required in advanced cases
5. Hoof deformities
Hoof deformities may be hereditary or acquired.
Intensive housing, heavy feeding of concentrates and environmental stress on hoof may
contribute acquired hoof deformities.
Various types of hoof deformities include:
1. Elongated hoof
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Elongated hoof |
The hoof may become elongated or overgrown due to a lack of proper wear. Breeding bull is most
commonly affected with involvement of one or more feet Lameness and deformity of the
claw are present. The toe and quarters of the hoof are elongated I and the affected digit may
be turned in. Treatment consists of trimming of the excess horn tissue.
2. Beak claw
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Beak claw |
A hereditary condition where the toes are turned up and the dorsal surface of the hoof is
concave whereas the weight-bearing surface is convex, The animal rocks while standing due
to the convex weight-bearing surface and feel difficulty in walking. The condition is
incurable.
3. Scissor claw
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Scissor claw |
It is characterized by overlapping of the toes as a sequel to excessive overgrowth of both the
hooves. A severe form of chronic laminitis may cause this abnormality. Treatment consists of
trimming the hooves.
4. Corkscrew claw
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Corkscrew claw |
It is an inherited condition where there is an inward spiraling of the abaxial hoof wall of the
lateral hind' claw towards the medial claw. Generally, the condition is manifested before three
years of age. There is an abnormal angulation of the middle phalanx. The resultant strain on the
abaxial collateral ligament of the distal inter-phalangeal leads to periarticularexostosis; this in
turn puts mechanical pressure inside the hoof causing increased horn production on the abaxial
wall and thus the axial rotation of the digit. In severe form, the animal is unable to move with
the adverse effects of production. Treatment consists of trimming of the affected claw. Corrective
paring is an essential prophylactic measure particularly in intensive farming to avoid hoof
deformities.
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