Sole ulcer
- Most common in lateral claws of rear feet and medial claws of forelimbs
- typical site = in cerium that overlies the flexor process of the 3rd phalanx
- ulceration at toe tip = most common in extensive grazing diaries
- ulceration at heel-sole junction = secondary to severe interdigital dermatitis
Cause of sole ulcer
Over trimming at the toe or from wear that exceeds growth
Signs of sole ulcer
Varies from slight haemorrhage visible at trimming to complete absence of a portion of the sole to extensive necrosis of the underlying curium
Treatment for sole ulcer
- remove weight bearing from the affected portion of the digit
- hoof block applied to healthy claw
- re-examination in 4 weeks
- healing time for full-thickness sole ulcers = 2months
Toe ulcer, toe necrosis
Results in thin sole at the top which is more susceptible to deformation from stepping on stones or irregular features of the flooring
If haematology results at toe tip, it may lead to a vascular necrosis of the soft tissue at the toe tip
If lesion is open to the environment, miscellaneous bacteria may invade and produce osteomyelitis or pathological fracture of the tip of the 3rd phalanx
Cause of toe ulcer/toe necrosis
Overwear or over trimming at the toe tip
Treatment for toe ulcer/toe necrosis
- hoof block and cleaning of the toe tip
- current approach: hoof block on sound digit and amputate the distal portion of the affected digit (either obstetrical wire or hoof nippers)
- tight bandage applied over some ATB powder to control haemorrhage and removed in a few days
- re growth of functional cornfield epithelium will cover the partial amputation in 1 months
Thimbling or transverse wall separation
- results from an insult to the coronary corium that results in an interruption in growth
- always present in all 8 digits but usually noticed because of pain in only one
- distal portion of the hoof capsule separates from the more proximal section
- pain occurs when movement of the distal portion pinches the corium at the toe tip
- goals of trimming = minimise weight bearing at the toe tp by shortening as much as possible and thinning the sole at the toe relative to the rest of the hoof
- pain may shift from one limb to another as successive thimbles become more detached from the younger hoof wall.
- recovery is complete and without complications as the thimbles wear or are trimmed away
Vertical wall cracks or sand cracks
Important to verify that the crack is the cause of lameness before proceeding, if the crack is causing pain, it should be carefully debriefed of foreign material
Predisposition of vertical wall cracks or sand cracks
- more common in range cattle than in dairy but rarely occur
- vertical cracks in axial wall are more common in dairy cattle
Treatment of vertical wall cracks or sand cracks
- Carme sur be taken to not extend the hoof wall detect during trimming
- removing granulation tissue may be necessary, followed by controlling haemorrhage and protecting the healing curium from damage
- standard procedure is to stabilise the adjacent portions of the hoof wall with acrylic and to place a block on the sound claw
- separated or detached horn should be removed, granulation tissue respected and a tight bandage with ATB powder
- tight bandage is to help rrpevent formation of granulation tissue
- hoof block is applied to the healthy digit
Corkscrew claw, splayed toes - inherited defects
- doesn’t become evident until cow reaches 3 or more years old
- both lateral rear digits, both medial fore digits or all four may be affected
- entire configuration of the 3rd phalanx, soft tissues between the claw capsule and bone and the claw capsule are abnormal
- axial wall becomes dorsal, tip of the toe curls up from the ground = creates mild predisposition to lameness
-> toe tip should be trimmed slightly longer than normal, removal of the overgrowth of the abaxial wall can return weight bearing to the sole and wall in a flat plane
Traumatic exungulation
- cows might get a toe caught and detach the horny capsule of a claw while detangling itself
- clean, disinfect the exposed tissue and bandage with a tissue-friendly antiseptic
- hoof block is necessary on the healthy digit, parenteral ATB recommended for 7-10 days
- if curium/deeper structures are significantly damaged then amputation or slaughter
Fracture of the 3rd phalanx (P3)
Cattle of any age or size
Predisposition of fracture of P3
Dairy bulls, maybe young cattle/milking
Excessive dryness of hoof —> reduced cushioning of routine weight bearing/hoof trauma may predispose to P3 fracture
Fluorine toxicity exists
Cause of fracture of P3
Hoof trauma from blunt injury or falling to the ground following mounting a cow
Signs of fracture of P3
Acute severe lameness with no weight bearing in affected limb is observed
If one digit affected, the cow will attempt to touch the foot down only on the non affected digit
Diagnosis of fracture of P3
- examination: warmth in the affected digit, flexión of hoof, hoof test pressure and percussion all elicit a painful response
- radiographs - at least two views
- elimination of more common cause of lameness
Treatment of fracture of P3
Resting affected digit by use of a standard hoof block applied to normal claw
Comfortable box stall and block renewed as necessary during 4-8 weeks required for healing
Interdigital fibroma
- redundant skin in interdigital space is hereditary condition associated with lax interdigital ligaments, resulting in a splay-toed conformation
- occurs in cattle secondary to chronic interdigital dermatitis
- predipspoe a risk to foot rot and are common sites of digital dermatitis
- removal of underlying cause rather than removal of fibromas, unless it’s painful
- sharp dissection of skin around base of fibroma
- to prompt healing g- remove interdigital fat
- ATB powder in wound then bandage (removed in few days)
Cause of foot rot or interdigital phlegmon
Fusobacterium necrophorum and bactericides melaninogenicus
Pathogenesis foot rot
Cow becomes lame over the course of a day/two with symmetrical swelling above the hoof
Signs of foot rot
- pain may be severe with unwillingness to bear any weight on the affected limb (rear limbs more commonly affected)
- fissure in interdigital skin with necrosis of the underlying tissues (dry necrosis, no exudate)
- odour is strong and characteristics
Treatment of foot rot or interdigital Philemon
- corrective claw trimming along with topical antiseptics to interdigital space
- bandaging is strongly discouraged so that air can reach interdigital tissue
- parenteral ATB most important of therapy
