Claw affections Dr. Alaa Ghazy

Cattle lameness
‫د‬.‫ي‬‫غاز‬ ‫عالء‬
‫البيطريه‬ ‫احه‬‫ر‬‫الج‬ ‫س‬‫ر‬‫مد‬
‫ي‬‫البيطر‬ ‫الطب‬ ‫كلية‬
‫الشيخ‬ ‫كفر‬ ‫جامعة‬
‫املتحده‬ ‫الواليات‬‫من‬ ‫اه‬‫ر‬‫دكتو‬
‫االمريكيه‬

Equine hoof affections
http://www.slideshare.net/aghazys/lameness-equine-hoof-affections-dr-alaa-ghazy

Coronary Band
Wall
Bulb
ANATOMY OF THE FOOT

Cattle Lameness
o Cattle lameness is one of the most significant welfare and productivity issues in
dairy farming.
o 95% of lame cattle are dairy breeds
o 90% of cases involve the digits
o 80% of digital lameness is located in the hind limbs
 50% of digital lameness involves the horny tissue
 50% of digital lameness involves the skin, mostly digital dermatitis
o 70% of the horny lesions involve the outer claw

foot rot
(Interdigital phlegmon, Foul in the foot)
INTRODUCTION
o foot rot is a subacute or acute necrotic infection that originates in the interdigital
skin, leading to cellulitis in the digital region.
o foot rot has a worldwide distribution
o usually sporadic but may be endemic in intensive beef or dairy cattle production.
o The incidence varies according to weather, season of year, grazing periods, and
housing system.
o foot rot is less common today than it was decades ago probably because dairy
cows spend much less time at pasture.
o However, on average, foot rot accounts for up to 15% of claw diseases.

foot rot
ETIOLOGY
o Maceration of the skin by water, feces, and urine may predispose to injuries.
o Injury to the interdigital skin provides a portal of entry for infection.
o Fusobacterium necrophorum is considered to be the major cause of foot rot. It
can be isolated from feces where it may survive as a saprophyte, which may
explain why control is difficult. This organism can survive in moist soil.
o F necrophorum is a gram-negative, nonspore-forming, nonflagellated,
nonmotile, pleomorphic anaerobic bacteria. It has a lipopolysaccharide
endotoxin that is capable of necrotizing activity.
o Other organisms, such as Dichelobacter nodosus, Staphylococcus aureus,
Escherichia coli, Arcanobacterium pyogenes, and possibly Bacteroides
melaninogenicus can also be involved.

foot rot
CLINICAL FINDINGS
o Research suggests that the incubation period of
foot rot can be a week.
o The fore or, more commonly, the hind limbs can be
affected, but more than one foot is rarely involved
at the same time in mature cows.
o The first sign is swelling and erythema of the soft
tissues of the interdigital space and the adjacent
coronary band.
o The inflammation may extend to the pastern and
fetlock.
o Typically, the claws are markedly separated, and
the inflammatory edema is uniformly distributed
between the 2 digits.

foot rot
CLINICAL FINDINGS
o The onset of the disease is rapid, and the extreme pain leads to increasing
lameness.
o In severe cases, the animal is reluctant to bear weight on the affected foot.
o Fever and anorexia are seen.
o The skin of the interdigital space first appears discolored; later, it fragments with
exudate production.
o As necrosis of the skin progresses, sloughing of tissue is likely to follow.
o A characteristic foul odor is produced.

foot rot
CLINICAL FINDINGS
o If the disease proceeds unchecked, weight loss is severe and milk yield is
significantly reduced.
o Milk production may not recover during the current lactation.
o Open lesions can be infected with secondary invaders. If the necrotic lesion is
located in the anterior region of the interdigital space, the distal interphalangeal
joint can become infected.
o Hematogenous infection of the tissues of the interdigital space may account for
peracute cases of foot rot, which are referred to as either “blind” or “super
foul” This form of foot rot is characterized by the initial absence of a skin lesion,
extreme pain, and the tendency to progress despite aggressive therapy.

foot rot
TREATMENT
o Treatment should be administered as soon as signs are observed.
o Most treated animals recover in a few days.
o Good results are obtained with penicillin G, IM, for 3 days.
o Early cases respond well to single doses of long-acting oxytetracycline.
o Sodium sulfadimidine solution IV or trimethoprim/sulfadoxine IV or IM, bid for 3
days, can also be used.
o High concentration of an agent in the target tissues can be achieved by a
regional IV injection. Positive results have been obtained with penicillin or
oxytetracycline.

foot rot
TREATMENT
o Local treatment is essential for some
longstanding cases and in all
instances in which the anterior
region of the interdigital space has
been compromised.
o A nonirritant bacteriostatic agent
(such as nitrofurazone or a sulfa
preparation) should be applied as a
topical dressing.
o Bandages, if used, should be
replaced daily.

foot rot
TREATMENT

foot rot
CONTROL
o Animals that are actively shedding infectious organisms should be isolated until
signs of lameness have disappeared.
o Preventive use of a footbath with an antiseptic and astringent solution (eg,
copper or zinc sulfate [7–10% in water]) has given beneficial results.
o Vaccines against F necrophorum have failed because of the weak immune
response to the bacterium.
o High levels of zinc fed as a supplement have a beneficial effect by improving
epidermal resistance to bacterial invaders.

foot rot
CAUSES
 Bacteria Causing Disease Lives in Soil or Internally in Animal
DIAGNOSIS
 Symmetrical Swelling
 Foul Smell
 Broken Skin (ulcers) Between Toes
 fever
 Low prodution
TREATMENT
 Responds Well to systemic Antibiotics
 Wash Until Clean
 Topical Antiseptic

INTRODUCTION
o Emerging disease, first reported in Italy in 1974. In U.K.: Roger Blowey (1987).
o Highly contagious. Present day:
 Worldwide distribution
 U.K.: >70% dairy farms infected
o Leading cause of lameness:
 Economic losses
 Welfare issue
o Relatively underresearched:
 Etiology not known with certainty
 Pathogenesis only partially clarified
 Transmission pathways unknown
Digital dermatitis
(Hairy warts, Papillomatous digital dermatitis)

Digital dermatitis
DEFINITION:
o A diffuse or circumscribed epidermitis of the digit at the coronary margin”.
ETIOLOGY
 Uncertain, more than one bacterium is involved.
 Dichelobacter, Treponema spp, spirochetes, Fusobacterium spp, and
Campylobacter spp.
 virus plays a part in the pathogenesis of the disease, but none has been
isolated to date

Digital dermatitis
SIGNS:
 Lameness (not always!)
 No fever
 Typical lesions
o Size: diameter 1 – 6 cm
o Aspect: dependent on stage of disease
o Location: usually on plantar aspect of hind feet, on hairy
skin between heel bulbs; in affected cows,
frequently bilateral

Digital dermatitis
CLINICAL FINDING
o Erosive lesion
 Hyperaemia, swelling, eczema
 Erosion and ulceration of superficial epidermis
 Surface lower than skin level
 Red, bleeds easily
 Intensely painful

Digital dermatitis
CLINICAL FINDING
o Granulomatous lesion
 Ingrowth of keratin, which develop into papillae
 Elevated above skin level
 Increased diameter
 Less painful
 Pungent odour

Digital dermatitis
CLINICAL FINDING
o Proliferative lesion
 Advanced hyperkeratosis; long papillae
 Solid, dense aspect
 Can become very prominent

Digital dermatitis
CLINICAL FINDING
o Scabbed / regressing lesion
 Lesions of any stage can regress after treatment
 Black, rubbery scab; well demarcated
 Less painful
 After sloughing off, skin can be smooth, show a scar, or still be
hyperkeratotic

Digital dermatitis
TREATMENT
o Acute lesions are initially treated topically.
 lesion should be scrubbed clean with a stiff brush and soapy water,
rinsed, and dried.
 An antibiotic powder, such as oxytetracycline is applied and protected
by a gauze pad held in place by a waterproof bandage.
 Multiple treatments are usually necessary.
o Once a lesion has started to heal, topical spray may be applied on the lesion.
 Soluble oxytetracycline or lincomycin-spectinomycin

CONTROL
o Footbaths containing
oxytetracycline or lincomycin-
spectinomycin
o For optimal effect, the animals
must be first walked through a
bath containing clean water.
o Footbaths containing copper
sulfate, zinc sulfate, or formalin
have been found to be useful.
Digital dermatitis

INTRODUCTION
o Interdigital dermatitis is a low-grade infection of the interdigital epidermis that
causes a slow erosion of the skin with discomfort but no lameness unless the
lesion becomes complicated.
o Morbidity is usually high in housed animals, particularly toward the end of the
winter.
o The disease is most commonly seen when humidity is high, in temperate
climates, and under poor hygienic conditions, especially in housed dairy cattle.
o When animals in such herds are examined, it is not unusual for 100% to have
lesions of varying degrees of severity.
o In tied systems, the hind legs are affected more often than the fore legs.
o In loose housing systems, the distribution between fore and hindlegs is about
equal.
o Animals on slatted floors are affected less often than animals on solid floors.
Interdigital dermatitis
(Stable foot rot, Slurry heel, Scald)

Interdigital dermatitis
ETIOLOGY
o Interdigital dermatitis is caused by a mixed bacterial infection,
o Dichelobacter nodosus has been considered to be the most active component.
o D nodosus is an anaerobe and exceptionally proteolytic.
o The source of the infection is the cow itself, and the infection spreads from
infected to noninfected animals through the environment.
o D nodosus cannot survive for more than 4 days on the ground but can persist
longer in filth that is caked onto the claws.
o The bacteria invade the epidermis, but the organisms do not penetrate to the
dermal layers.
o As the condition progresses, the border between the skin and soft heel horn
disintegrates, producing lesions similar to ulcers or erosions.
o At this stage, the lesions cause discomfort.

INTERDIGITAL DERMATITIS
CLINICAL SIGNS
o The first stage of the condition appears to be an exudative dermatitis.
o The exudate oozes to the commissures of the interdigital space and forms a
crust or scab, which may be observed occasionally on the dorsal surface of the
digits.

CLINICAL SIGNS
o As the condition progresses, the animal shows discomfort by “paddling,” ie,
constantly moving from one foot to the other.
o If the heels of the hind feet are especially painful, the limbs are held further
back than normal.

CLINICAL SIGNS
o True lameness does not develop until a
complicating lesion is present.
o After a prolonged period, during which
the animal has avoided bearing weight
on the heel,
 the horn beneath the heel
increases in thickness and
 some aberrations of gait result.

TREATMENT
o Systemic therapy, including the use of antibiotics, is not effective.
o In severe cases, the lesions should be cleaned and dried, after which a topical
bacteriostatic agent is applied, eg, a 50% mixture of sulfamethazine powder
and anhydrous copper sulfate.

CONTROL
o Good management and housing systems to keep claws dry and clean are most
important.
o Regular foot trimming helps avoid complications.
o Foot bathing,

Sole Ulcer
(Pododermatitis circumscripta)
INTRODUCTION
o Sole ulcers commonly affect one or both
lateral hind claws.
o A sole ulcer is a circumscribed lesion
located in the region of the sole/bulb
junction, usually nearer the axial than
abaxial margin.
o Damage to the dermis is associated with a
circumscribed zone of localized hemorrhage
and necrosis.
o The incidence is variable, but in some herds
up to 50% of mature cows can be affected.

ETIOLOGY AND PATHOGENESIS
o Sinking of the claw, which is a feature of subclinical laminitis, is the major
predisposing factor.
o Iatrogenic forms of the lesion are produced when inexperienced claw trimmers
remove too much horn from beneath the heel, resulting in abnormal pressure
on the dermis. Excessive wear of the softened sole horn flattens and thins the
sole.
o Heel erosion. Normally, weight is borne by the bulb of the heel, but if heel
erosion occurs, weight-bearing may be transferred forward to the region
beneath the flexor process. Sometimes, a displaced pad of horn slips over to the
vulnerable area, causing abnormal pressure over the flexor process of the distal
phalanx.
Sole Ulcer

CLINICAL SIGNS
o The onset of lameness is generally sudden.
o Moderate degree of lameness.
o An obvious break in the integument may be
apparent.
o heel horn exposes sensitive laminae
o granulation tissue may protrude through horn defect
to form a cauliflower-or-rosette-like growth
o Sever lameness if granulation tissue protrudes and in
cases with deeper purulent infection (osteomyelitis,
septic arthritis)
o The presence of thin yellow pus indicates a deep
septic pododermatitis
Sole Ulcer

TREATMENT
o trim horn and heel so that weight bearing by affected claw is minimal.
o Remove protruding granulation tissue and apply local caustic or tetracycline
spray and bandage (waterproof) for 5 days.
o Broad-spectrum antibiotics for septic cases.
o Confine to box and straw bedding for 5 days.
o In complicated condition, amputation of the affected claw must be performed.
Sole Ulcer

DIGESTIVE UPSET THAT BREAKS DOWN FOOT
Laminitis in Cattle

Laminitis in Cattle
DIAGNOSIS
o Walk Softly With Very Short Steps
o Affects Both Sides
o Tend To Stand With Feet Forward

Laminitis in Cattle
LAMINITIS AND THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM
o Laminitis Disrupts the Attachment of the P3 Bone to the Wall
o P3 Bone is Free to Rotate, sink
o Pressure Through the sole = Ulcers

Laminitis in Cattle
TREATMENT
o Generally No Effective Treatment
o Consistent Bunk Management
o Adequate Step-up Rations

Laminitis in Cattle
ACUTE OR SUBACUTE LAMINITIS
o Introduction
 Acute laminitis is not common in cattle and usually is seen in a single
animal or a group that has accidentally engorged on large quantities of
grain.
 The incidence of acute laminitis in dairy cattle probably varies from 0.6–
1.2%.
 Subacute laminitis may be seen in young beef bulls on feeding trials and in
feeder calves that have been fed rations rich in carbohydrates.

Laminitis in Cattle
o Clinical Findings
 Acute and subacute laminitis have a rapid onset.
 In the most acute cases, there may be fever and an increased respiratory
rate.
 In the initial phases, the claws may be warm to the touch, and a
pronounced digital pulse will be perceptible.
 Pain may be detected in the claws with the use of hoof testers.
 The animal will be reluctant to walk and will stand abnormally.

Laminitis in Cattle
o Treatment
 If the cause is obvious, such as grain overload, it should be corrected.
 Antihistamines may be useful if given within the first 48 hr after a known
insult.
 Anti-inflammatory drugs may be useful if given before the onset of acute
signs.

Laminitis in Cattle
CHRONIC LAMINITIS
o Introduction
 Chronic laminitis is recognized by the bent, flat, square-toed, and heavily
ridged appearance of the claw (slipper foot).
 It is the result of a prolonged process, and is assumed to be caused by a
series of laminitic insults.
 It is most common in dairy cows >5 yr old.

Laminitis in Cattle
CHRONIC LAMINITIS
o Clinical Findings
 There are no clinical signs.
 Some animals appear to walk in a deliberate, careful manner.

Laminitis in Cattle
CHRONIC LAMINITIS
o Etiology
 high levels of carbohydrate in the rumen invoke an increase of
Streptococcus bovis and Lactobacillus spp, which induce a state of acidosis
in the rumen. This causes gram-negative organisms to die and release
vasoactive endotoxins.
 High levels of histamine in the blood have been found in the early stages of
the disease. It is probable that subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) is one key
factor in development of laminitis, because managing SARA does help to
control the incidence of subclinical laminitis.
 Trauma; hard flooring is equal in importance to nutritional problems.
Prolonged standing, waiting in line to drink, or spending >3 hr in the
holding yard each day are factors that are commonly overlooked.
 inability to exercise reduces the amount of oxygen and nutrition delivered
to the claw.

Laminitis in Cattle
CHRONIC LAMINITIS
o Control
 managing SARA depends on the quantity and digestibility of the
carbohydrate that is fed. The more rapidly carbohydrate is digested, the
more rapidly rumen acidosis will develop.
 Finely ground or moist grains are more digestible than dry, cracked grain.
Corn silage is frequently used in dairy production.
 Sudden changes in the diet or formulation of the diet are extremely
dangerous.

Foreign bodies in the sole
INTRODUCTION
o Occasionally, a foreign body such as a stone, chip
of glass, or nail becomes embedded in the sole.
o Even if the material does not penetrate to the
corium, localized pressure causes pain and
lameness.
o Removal of the foreign body usually resolves the
lameness without incident.

CLINICAL FINDING
o If the foreign body penetrates through to the corium, infection is introduced to
the dermal level and an abscess develops.
o The rapidity of onset and severity of the lameness depends to some extent on
the location of the sole penetration.
o abscess develops,and hence the pressure increases rapidly.
o Thus, the onset of lameness is rapid and the degree of pain very severe.
o Acute lameness may cause the animal to stand with the foot off the ground or
with the toe lightly touching.
o A differential diagnosis is fracture of the distal phalanx.

TREATMENT
o Treatment consists of removing the foreign body if still present and coring out
the track to the corium with a fine-pointed hoof knife.
o Pus is often released under considerable pressure.
o Antibiotic should be squeezed into the cavity, which closes rapidly.
o The opening should not be plugged but covered with elastic waterproof
material to prevent blockage with mud or manure.
o Bandaging may not be required, but the animal should be housed in a well-
strawed area for a few days.

TOE ULCER
INTRODUCTION
o Toe ulcer is the term used to
describe any hemorrhagic
lesion of the dermis occurring
in the apical region of the sole
and/or white line, most
frequently in the lateral hind
claw.

TOE ULCER
ETIOLOGY
o As subclinical laminitis progresses, in some cases the distal phalanx will rotate.
Hemorrhage will result. In extreme instances, the tip of the bone will prolapse
through the apex of the sole.
o the anterior half of the sole has been worn down almost paper thin.
Hemorrhage from bruising is seen through the thin horn at the apex.
Breakdown of the horn and formation of an abscess have been reported. The
probable cause is a painful lesion in the heel, which forces the animal to throw
most of its weight onto the anterior part of the sole.
o Necrosis of the apex of the pedal bone is extremely common in yearling beef
calves after transportation over long distances which affect its blood supply
causing damage.

TOE ULCER
CLINICAL FINDINGS
o the white line and sole in the toe region
may be stained with serum or blood.
o In more advanced cases, a prolapse of
the sole may occur with associated
infection.

TOE ULCER
TREATMENT AND CONTROL
o cavity should be cleansed, dried, packed with an antibiotic powder.
o If the bottom of the lesion is black in these cattle, l–2 cm of the apex of the toe
should be removed with hoof cutters.
o The condition of the pedal bone should be visible. If necrosis of the bone can be
confirmed, regional anesthesia should be applied and a further l–2 cm of toe
removed.
o If the wound bleeds profusely, it is likely that necrosis is not extensive. When
hemorrhage is minimal, it is probable that necrosis of the bone is extensive or a
physiologic fracture is present.
o the lesion should be packed with a hygroscopic mixture (50% magnesium
sulfate and 50% glycerin) and bandaged for a maximum of 24 hr, after which the
lesion should be thoroughly dried, dressed with antibiotic powder.

TOE ULCER
TREATMENT AND CONTROL
o If rotation of the digit has been detected radiographically, the prognosis for
recovery is poor.
o Control of subclinical laminitis is likely to lower the incidence of toe ulcer.

Septic arthritis of the Distal Interphalangeal
Joint
ETIOLOGY
o Infection enters the distal interphalangeal joint via 3 possible main sites:
 the dorsal commissure of the interdigital space, via penetrating trauma or
complicated footrot (interdigital phlegmon);
 sandcracks;
 retroarticular abscess

Joint
CLINICAL FINDINGS
o If aggressive treatment of a footrot case does not lead toward resolution within
3 days, septic arthritis should be suspected.
o Increased pain, together with swelling of the anterior region of the coronary
band in cases of sandcrack , is suggestive of joint infection.

Joint
TREATMENT
o Digital amputation is indicated in old or poor-producing animals.
 The procedure is simple, quick, can be performed in standing animals
under regional analgesia, and in most cases, produces rapid relief.
 Amputation is performed through the skin with an embryotomy wire
placed as close to the skin-horn junction as possible.
 Hemorrhage is arrested by means of a tight bandage.
o Arthrodesis fuses the distal and middle phalanges and is used to extend the
functional life of valuable animals.
 General anesthesia is recommended.

Inflammation of the Biflex canal in sheep
INTRODUCTION
o This canal is a double passage which open on either side of the middle line of
the digit about 0.5 cm above the entrance to the interdigital space in front,
o it is orifice being marked with a tuft of hair.
o The canal is not present in the goat.

CAUSES
o Irritation caused by foreign matter gained entrance to the canal.
o Leading to suppuration and necrosis.

SYMPTOMS
o There is inflammation in the affected region .
o On compression between fingers, a fatty discharge oozes from the canal
o Lameness is pronounced, the animal remains lying most of the time.
o When both limbs are affected the animal walks on the knees.

TREATMENT
o The hair around the orifices should be shortly cut and the lower parts of the
limb.
o including the foot, should be thoroughly cleaned with hot antiseptic
fomentation.
o Compression should be applied to squeeze the contained infected material .
o Local infiltration of antibiotics around the inflamed canal and inside it then
bandage .
o This is repeated every 2-3 days till recovery.
o If there is phlegmone at the lower part of the limb, systemic injection of
antibiotics should be continued for three successive days.

Claw affections Dr. Alaa Ghazy

Claw affections Dr. Alaa Ghazy

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