1. Claw affections in cattle
By
Dr. Awad Rizk

2. Introduction
 The incidence of lameness in high producing dairy cows varies
between 15 and 40%.
 Lameness is beside infertility and mastitis the most common cause for
involuntary culling.
 90% of limb affections in cattle results from claw disorders.
 The next common seat of lameness is the stifle joint .
 The claw health disorders lead to traumatisation of tissue which is
perceived by the affected animal as pain.
 The pain experience of lame dairy cows results in decreased
productivity such as feed intake, fertility and milk yield as well as it may
change animal behaviour.

6.  Anatomy of the bovine foot
 Cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs are cloven-footed animals,
 meaning that the hoof consists of two digits, instead of one solid entity
like that of a horse
 The claws are named by their relative location on the foot.
 There is the outer, or lateral claw, and the inner, or medial claw.
 In cattle, the lateral claw is slightly larger in the back feet, while the medial
claw is the larger claw in the front feet.
 bovine hooves grow about 1/5 to ¼ of an inch per month and horse’s
hooves grown in general ¼ to 3/8 of an inch per month.

7. Anatomy of the bovine foot
 The bovine foot has two main and two accessory claws.
 The two main claws do not appear dissimilar from the
horse’s single hoof.
 The space between the two digits is termed as the interdigital
space.
 The part of each digit next to the space i.e. nearer to the
longitudinal axis of the limb is called the axial surfaces while
the part further away is termed abaxial surface.
 The bearing surface of the claw has thick prominent bulb
but neither frog nor bars.
 The accessory claws project from the back of the fetlock
joint and are non-functional.

9.  Underneath the hoof is a slightly softer region, called the
sole.
 The tissue that makes up the sole is produced by the
corium of the sole, and is suppler than the horn of the
hoof wall.
 The point where the hoof wall is bound to the sole is
called the white line.
 The white line is a somewhat flexible junction between
the sole and wall, allowing the hoof to be more flexible
as the animal moves.
 The front region of the sole is called the toe, and the two
bulbs at the opposite end of the foot are referred to as
the heel bulbs.

11. ANATOMY OF THE FOOT
CLAW BONES AND TENDONS
Coronary Band
Wall
Bulb

12. CROSS SECTION OF CLAW

14. Anatomy of the camel foot.
 The camel foot consists of two functional and fully developed digits-
the dew claws or non functional digits are absent.
 Each functional digit consists of three phalanges and two proximal
sesamoid bones.
 The distal sesamoid or navicular bone is either absent or cartilaginous
in nature.
 The phalanges of the hind limb are shorter and less massive than
those of the forelimb.

15. General consideration of the factor predisposing to
lameness.
 The environmental condition surrounding the animals appeared to
influence greatly the incidence of claw affections
 Breed had a significant effect, with Friesians and short horns being
more prone to lameness than light breeds, such as Ayrshir and jersey.
 Buffaloes are more resistant to claw affection than Friesians under the
same environmental and nutritional conditions.

16. In most dairy cow lameness survey revealed the following:
 88% of lesion located in the foot and 12% in the leg.
 Of foot lesions 24% were in the front feet and 76% in the hind.
 the hind outer claw being affected two and a half times more than the
inner claw.
 The predisposition of lesion towards hind feet may have been partly
due to the wet and dirty environment to which animals were
subjected in standing and cubicles beside stress of pregnancy and
parturition and enlargement of the udder.
 Most foot and leg lesions occurred during the 50 days following
calving because of pelvic nerve damage associated with calving.
 Young cows were relatively immune to foot problems , with the
exceptions of interdigital necrobacillosis and laminitis.
 cows aged six to eight years were most susceptible to both foot and
leg lameness.

17. Incidence
 95% of lame cattle are dairy breeds
 90% of cases involve the digits
 80% of digital lameness is located in the hind limbs
 50% of digital lameness involves the horny tissue and 50% the skin,
mostly digital dermatitis
 70% of the horny lesions involve the outer claw

20. Interdigital Necrobacillosis
Synonyms: phlegmona interdigitalis, ‘foul-in-the-foot’, ‘clit ill’, ‘foot
rot’, interdigital pododermatitis. A peracute form, colloquially
‘superfoul’
Definition: acute inflammation of subcutaneous tissues of
interdigital space and adjacent coronary band, spreading to
dermis and epidermis.
Etiology:
 interdigital microtrauma and infection with Fusobacterium
necrophorum, Bacteroides melaninogenicus and other organisms.

21. Signs
 mild to severe lameness (LS 1–3) of sudden onset, all ages
 An acute lameness with swelling and erythema of the soft tissues of the
interdigital space and the adjacent coronary band are the first signs.
 The claws typically are markedly separated due to the swelling .
 Depression and pyrexia along with rapid pluse and respiration follow ,
with greater intensity in young animals
 The animal tries to avoid contact with the ground if the digital region
 The animal is reluctant to walk and prefers to lie down and milk yield
decline with general depression.

22.  On close examination of the swollen interdigital space, the skin
appears discolored (darkens) and later become fissured and necrotic
exuding typical foul odour and finally the necrotic skin sloughs
producing an open wound.
 Advanced cases can develop septic arthritis and other deeper
complications.
Differential diagnosis:
 interdigital foreign body, acute laminitis, solear penetration by foreign
body, severe interdigital dermatitis, interdigital changes from
BVD/MD, FMD, distal interphalangeal septic arthritis, distal
phalangeal fracture.

23. Treatment
 ceftiofur, ampicillin, LA oxytetracycline, penicillin,
sulphonamides (e.g.trimethoprim-sulpha) systemically
 clean affected necrotic area with disinfectant and apply a
topical oxytetracycline or copper sulphate, or BIPP paste
(bismuth subnitrate, iodoform and petrolatum)
 do not bandage, but put on to dry floor or straw bedding,
preferably isolated to avoid spread of infection
 daily cleansing with disinfectant if feasible
 ‘superfoul’: early cases respond well to 6 g oxytetracycline,
more advanced cases to tylosin, careful local debridement
under analgesia (IVRA) and local antibiotic dressing.
 Isolation is important.

24. Prophylaxis
 check and improve drainage in areas where interdigital trauma
can arise (e.g. gateways, tracks, stubble)
 improve dry conditions underfoot (straw yard) and increase
frequency of scraper removal of slurry from passageways
 footbaths of zinc sulphate (5–10%) copper sulphate (5%) or
formalin (4%)
 antibacterial feed additive: sulphabromomethazine in feedlot
outbreak, or ethylenediamine dihydroiodide for prophylaxis.
 spread quicklime in muddy tracks or around water troughs

27. Interdigital hyperplasia
Synonyms: hyperplasia interdigitalis, corn, interdigital granuloma, interdigital vegetative
dermatitis, fibroma, ‘wart’.
Definition: proliferative reaction of interdigital skin and/or subcutaneous tissues to
form a firm mass.
Incidence: usually sporadic, common in certain beef breeds (e.g. Hereford) and in
bulls at AI centres.
Occasionally follows severe interdigital disease in dairy cows, then is unilateral. May
start in yearling bulls, but most clinical cases (with lameness) are in adults of four to
six years.
Predisposition: inherited in some breeds (e.g. Hereford, Holstein Friesian).
 Severe interdigital dermatitis or sole ulcer often precedes involvement of single
limb.
 Frequently associated with poor conformation e.g. splayed toes

28. Signs
 slight or no lameness (LS 0–1) depending on size and mechanical
interference in simple case
 large lesions develop superficial digital traumatic ulceration, and contact
interdigital axial skin may undergo pressure necrosis
 both forms readily become secondarily infected with Fusobacterium
necrophorum
 single abaxial hindlimb involvement suggests secondary response to
recognized previous insult involving interdigital swelling and sometimes
sole ulcer

29. Treatment
 none if small and asymptomatic
 local caustic (e.g. silver nitrate, copper sulphate) if small and causing
lameness
 most clinical cases require resection by knife surgery electrocautery or
cryosurgery: ideally in Wopa crush under IVRA , bandage after applying
sulphadimidine powder. Remove bandage after one week.
 If the fibroma is a part of a significant painful process in a cow, then
surgical removal is indicated.
 Sharp dissection of the skin around the base of the fibroma follows
normal surgical site preparation.

30.  It is considered important for prompt healing to remove the interdigital
fat and the protruding fibroma.
 Care must be taken to prevent surgical injury to the distal
interphalangeal joint capsule and the cruciate ligaments when removing
the fat.
 Some antibiotic powder may be placed in the wound, but no dressings
or packings should be used before bandaging the foot to prevent
splaying of the toes.
 The bandage may be removed in a few days because granulation tissue
will fill the defect.

32. Interdigital dermatitis (scald or stable foot rot)
 Dermatitis interdigitalis is an inflammation of the interdigital epidermis
without any swelling , pyrexia anorexia or lameness or involvement of
the deeper and surrounding structures.
 Etiology:
 The common predisposing factors are wet climatic condition and a
moist environment under the feet causing mild irritation in the
interdigital space.
 Bacteroides nodosus is the most freguently isolated infecious agent.

33.  Clinical Signs
 The lesion starts as a reddening of the interdigital skin in the dorsal or
palmar/ planter areas. This is followed by hyperkeratosis and slight
exudation and finally separation of the perioplic band occur causing mild
lameness and widening of the interdigital space during animal stance.
 The affected animal paddles with its hind feet.
 In advanced cases odorless discharge accumulate with crusts on the
dorsal commissars of the interdigital space.
 Diagnosis
 Interdigital dermatitis is diagnosed after cleansing , by the characteristic
superficial lesions of the interdigital epidermis.

34. Treatment
 Interdigital dermatitis should be treated topically. The lesions should
be cleaned , deeply scrapped by a clean dry swap and a topical
bacteriostatic agent applied such as a 50% mixture of sulfamezathine
powder and anhydrous copper sulfate.
 1- Foot bathing is usually recommended to keep the infection under
control .
 2- Systemic tratment with antibiotics has little effect except in sever
cases.
 3- Skin lesions usually regress spontaneously if environment is
improved .

35. Control :
 Good management and housing system to keep claws
dry and clean are most important.
 Regular foot trimming help to avoid complications.
 Foot bathing.

37. Digital dermatitis (Mortellaro, or Heel Wart)
 hairy heel warts, strawberry foot, verrucous dermatitis, digital
warts, interdigital papillomatosis, and probably most correctly
digital dermatitis (or popular digital dermatitis).
 Digital dermatitis (DD) is a contagious superficial inflammation of the
epidermis proximal to the coronal margin.
Two types of lesions have been reported :
One is a circumscribed erosive/ reactive condition and the other is a
proliferative wart like lesion.
Both forms cause various degree of discomfort and may lead to severe
lameness.

39. Incidence :
 When a herd becomes affected, the disease can rapidly spread within
the herd and the morbidity may reach 90%
 Animal of all ages and bread are susceptible.
Etiology :
 The cause is unclear
 The most reasonable explanation is that this is a multifactor disease
in which spirochetes together with other bacteria (Bacteroides
nodsus) or virus.
 Moist condition are thought to be the main predisposing cause.
 appearance and location of lesion as well as its transmission to
other cattle differentiate it from foot rot

40. Clinical Features :
 A circular lesion 1 to 4 cm in diameter is generally seen in the plantar
(or palmar) skin adjacent to the heel or , less commonly in the
proximal part of the interdigital space.
 In the mild form of DD , the skin is hyperemic producing a serous
exudates, in early stages, the hairs of the diseased areas are usually erect,
and they later disappear.
 Mild to sever degree of lameness may be observed depending on the
severity of the lesions.

41.  In the erosive form the skin is covered with a purulent, pungent -
Smelling exudates. Cleansing exposes reddish granulation tissue. The
lesion is very sensitive and easily bleeds but the soft tissue is not
swollen.
 The proliferative type may give rise to the papillomatous type which
is characterized by a mass of hard, fine tendrils that can be several
centimeters in length and cover a considerable area.
Diagnosis :
 The diagnosis of DD is often based on a history of an epidemic onset
of discomfort and lameness in a herd. Also the characteristic
lesions at the specific site are itself diagnostic.

42. DD/PDD
papillomatous digital dermatitis (PPD) and digital dermatitis (DD) are
thought to be different stages of the same disease process.
 with PPD being the more chronic form with the development of
papilloma-like structures usually on the plantar surface of the hind foot
just proximal to the heel bulbs.
 characterized by epidermal proliferation that after several weeks
produces the “hairy warts” or papillomatous lesions

46. Treatment
Lesion affected individual animals should be treated topically. If necessary claw should
be trimmed to a normal shape. Deep scrapping of the lesion, local application of
antiseptics or oxytetracycline, gentian violet aerosol and provision of dry environment
are most effective.
Herd outbreaks are best treated with a footbath.
 DD can be successfully controlled by a single passage through a footbath containing 5
to 6 grams/liter of oxytetracycline; for optimum effect the heel of the cows should
washed thoroughly before they enter the footbath.
Repeated treatments may be needed after 4 to 6 weeks.

47.  In general, parenteral antibiotics have not shown any effect on
either erosive or proliferative type of DD.
 For chronic lesions the only effective treatment is complete
resection of the proliferation under regional anesthesia.
 A topical antiseptic dressing and a compression bandage should
applied for several days after surgery.

50. Pododermatitis circumscripta
(Sole ulcer, Rusterholz Ulcer)
Definition :
 A sole ulcer is a specific circumscribed lesion located in the region of
sole or heel- sole junction , usually near the axial than abaxial margin of
the hind outer claw.
 Ulceration of the sole may occur in any digit but is most common in the
lateral claws of the rear feet and the medial claws of the forelimbs.
 Symmetrical ulcers occur in both rear limbs or both forelimbs.
 The typical site for ulceration is in the corium that overlies the flexor
process of the third phalanx

51. Sole ulceration is one of the most debilitating,
costly and common causes of lameness
affecting beef and dairy cattle.
Ulcers may occur in the typical site:
1. beneath the flexortuberosity of the third
phalanx (sole ulcer)
2. in the heel (heel ulcer)
3. in the toe (toe ulcer) depending on the
location of the insult.

52. Incidence :
 Sole ulcers commonly affect one or both lateral hind claws ,
predominantly in heavy , high-yielding dairy cattle kept
under confined condition.
 In the fore limb , it more often involve the medial claw.
Bulls are less frequently affected.

53. Etiology :
 The cause of sole ulcer is not fully known, but it probably results from localized
damage to the corium at the heel-sole junction .
 Lack of exercise during winter housing , causing circulatory stasis in the foot.
 Bruising of the sole.
 Housing for long period on concrete. The cubicle system produces more sole ulcer
than pasture or straw yards.
 Body weight. Medium-sized animal are more susceptible especially these with small
feet.
 Wet conditions, which affect horn quantity, are associated with sole ulcers.

54.  The heritable trait of straight limb may reduce the ability of the leg to
absorb shock.
 Heel erosion and interdigital dermatitis are considered to be
predisposing or contributory causes of sole ulcer.
 Chronic laminitis which produces poor horn quality and increase the
tendency to walk on the heel.
 Hoof defects , such as overgrown toes, unequally sized claw and
corkscrew claws, which cause the animal to walk on the proximal sole
and the heel.

55. Pathogensis :
 Sole ulcer originates from localized damage to the pododerm at
the sole-heel junction. Initially , there is localized ischemia that
get contused and thus results in an open ulcer which favors
proliferation of fusiformis necrophorus, coryne bacterium
pyogenes, streptococci, staphlococci and fungi. The suppuration
may also involve the navicular bursa and pedal joint.

56. Clinical Signs
 The lesion is usually half inch in diameter, the sole get weekend
and the granulating mass produce through the ulceration.
 The lameness is sudden in onset but its severity varies with the
extent of the lesion and degree of suppuration.
 The affected limb is usually held abducted with weight bearing
on the unaffected medial digit or on the toe.
 Cases suffering bilateral affection show alternative rest of the hind
limb and the animal tends to lie down more than usual .
 the lesion varies from a soft, slightly discolored area, which may
be painful under pressure to an obvious circumscribed

60. Diagnosis :
 The site and nature of the condition are
characteristic.
 The area is often covered by a ledge of sole horn
which protrudes toward the interdigital space, or the
thickening of the heel horn may be excessive.
 Paring the excessive growth reveals hemorrhagic
horn.

61. Treatment and management :
 Treatment for sole ulcer is to remove weight bearing from the affected
portion of the digit.
 Depending on the location of the lesion and its severity, this may be
accomplished by corrective trimming and lowering the heel horn of the
affected claw.
 Most often a hoof block is applied to the healthy claw.
 If the ulcer is in the typical site or at the heel and there is sufficient heel
depth of the healthy toe, a “heelless” trimming method may be used.
 Remove all necrotic tissue with the hoof knife.
 This may require the use of anesthesia by IVRA

62.  Clean and dress the wound with an astringent/ antibacterial spray
or powder.
 Trim the foot to correct the shape and size.
 This usually distributes the weight more evenly between the two
claw reducing the load on the sole ulcer.
 Bandage the affected claw if the wound is extensive.
 In more complicated cases, application of a wooden or rubber
block to the unaffected medial claw removes all weight bearing
from the region while healing proceeds.

64.  Important Things to Know About Sole Ulcers
1. Ulceration of the sole is one of the most painful, costly, and common
causes of cattle lameness
2. Ulcers may occur in the typical site (sole ulcer), in the heel (heel ulcer)
and in the toe (toe ulcer)
3. Treatment involves removal of loose horn, thinning of the margin of
the ulcer and the transfer of weight from the affected region to the
sound claw through the application of a hoof block.
4. Prevention is focused on performing regular functional claw
trimming.

65. White Line Disease (WLD)
White line disease (WLD) refers to a group of lesions hat affect the
junction between the sole and the wall of the claw.
 These lesions of the white line include fissures, hemorrhage (pinkness
in the sole), and abscesses.
 The outer claw of the rear foot is most commonly affected.
 This disease is characterized by separation and penetration by
infected debris of the fibrous junction between the sole and the wall-
the ‘white line’ This often leads to abscessation
 The lesion is usually found in the abaxial white line, immediately
distal to the bulb of the heel.
 The outer claw of the hind foot is usually affected.

66. Incidence :
 White line disease is seen mainly in older, housed cows, but occasionally housed
fattening cattle may be affected.
predisposing factors :
 Wet, unhygienic conditions soften horn and provide an environment suitable for
anaerobic multiplication.
 Hoof malformations, e.g. overgrowth, chronic laminitis and congenital axial rotation
of the toe, cause excessive stretching of the white line.
 Poor horn quality , as a result of chronic laminitis, reduces the strength of the white
line.
 Excessive walking on hard surfaces stretches the white line and wears the sole, thus
weakening the wall/sole bond.
 Old age increases susceptibility , perhaps because horn quality deteriorates, resulting
in feet becoming deformed .

67. Clinical symptoms.
 The lateral claw of the hind digit is usually involved and frequently
involves both hind limb.
 Severity of lameness varies with the extent of tissue involved and
suppuration.
 Initially the lesion may not be traced in the absence of any signs. In later
stages, the lesions are observed as black spots in the white line and
the claw is hot and percussion is painful.
 Coronary sinus formation or separation of the heel horn at the
heel bulbs may be seen in advanced cases.
Complications :
 Extension of infection up to the sensitive corium of the wall may lead
to deep sepsis e.g. navicular bursitis, arthritis of the pedal joint and
abscessation at the coronary .

68. Diagnosis :
 Separation of the wall from the sole can be seen distinctly, but foot
examination must include careful paring of the hoof to expose and
excavate any small black spots in the white line which could mark the
position of an abscess The original lesion may be partially covered by
new horn growth.
Differential diagnosis
 The diagnosis may be confused by acute lameness caused by lesions of
the bearing surfaces of the foot , such as sole puncture, sole ulcer,
fracture of the pedal bone and bruised sole.

69. Treatment and management :
 Provide good drainage of the lesion by removing all necrotic tissue,
thereby leaving a hole which will allow the continued flow of pus.
 If the lesion has extended up into the corium of the hoof wall, the
sinus so formed should be exposed by cutting an inverted V,
pointing towards the coronet.
 If the sensitive corium is extensively involved, local anesthesia by
regional nerve block or local intravenous methods are necessary to
allow adequate paring.
 Dress with an astringent/antibacterial spray.
 Leave open to drain and clean daily.
 The animal should be placed on clean bedding for several days.

70.  If the underfoot conditions are unavoidably dirty , or the wound
is extensive, bandage the claw , using medicated gauze, cotton
wool pad and adhesive bandage.
 the bandage should be removed after seven days and replaced if
necessary.
 Systematic broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy for three days or
longer is indicated, especially if all the infected tissue has not
been removed.

72. Punctured Sole
 The condition is also known as punctured foot, pricked foot,
pododermatitis traumatica septica or septic laminitis and is defined
as diffused or localized septic inflammation of the pododerm. The
lesion mostly tends to be localized with an acute onset.
Incidence :
 Penetration of the sole is a sporadic cause of lameness The hind feet
are usually affected more than the fore feet.

73. Etiology
 The condition is primarily caused by penetrating nails, sharp
stones , glass and wires that pierce the horny capsule of the sole
and thus establish septic pododermatitis.
 Cultural examination confirms a mixed infection with pyogenic
bacteria which may sometimes take place through the cracked sole.
 Prolonged use of over loaded animals on concrete surface also results
in thinning of the sole which is then easily penetrated even by less
sharp object.

74. Clinical Signs :
 The foreign body causes only pressure slight lameness. If complete
penetration through the horn has not occurred (Bruised sole) or a septic
traumatic poddermatitis results and sometimes foreign body may still
be present.
 If complete penetration through the horn has occurred there is rapid
onset of lameness.
 The animal hold its limb above the ground because of the development
of painful abscess.
 The well advanced cases are characterized by the swelling of soft tissue
around the hooves.

75. Treatment and management :
 Pare the affected horn. If only bruising is present further paring after
diagnosis is not necessary and the animal should be placed soft bedding
or pasture to allow healing
 When there is infection ; the infected tract should be penetrated and
then excavated until all necrotic tissue has been removed and good
drainage obtained.
 Dress the area with astringent / antibacterial spray .
 Leave the excavated wound open to drain and place the animal on
clean bedding. Clean and dress the wound daily.
 If underfoot conditions are dirty or the wound is extensive, bandage
the claw using medicated gauze ; cotton pad and adhesive bandage.
 Remove the bandage after seven days and replace if necessary.
 Systemic broad spectrum antibiotic therapy for three days or more is
indicated especially if all penetration is deep.

76. Toe Ulcer, Toe Necrosis
 This condition results from over wear or over trimming at the
toe tip.
 The resulting thin sole at the tip is more susceptible to deformation
from stepping on stones or irregular features of the flooring.
 If a hematoma results at the toe tip, it may lead to a vascular necrosis
of the soft tissues at the toe tip .
 If the lesion is open to the environment, miscellaneous bacteria may
invade and produce osteomyelitis or pathologic fracture of the tip of
the third phalanx
 Conservative therapy with a hoof block and cleaning of the toe
tip usually results in a chronic state of infection and mild pain.

77.  Our current approach to this problem is to place a hoof block on the
sound digit and amputate the distal portion of the affected digit.
 Either obstetrical wire or hoof nippers may be used to remove slices of
the affected digit until all tissue exposed appears healthy.
 A tight bandage is applied over some antibiotic powder to control
hemorrhage.
 The bandage is removed in a few days.
 There is no need for parenteral antibiotics.
 Regrowth of functional cornified epithelium will cover the partial
amputation in about 1 month.
 The prognosis is excellent.

79. Deep Sepsis of the Digit
 Untreated or late-treated foot rot, complicated sole ulcer, white line
abscess that extends into retroarticular structures, and puncture
wounds may all result in necrosis and/or infection of structures
important for weight bearing.
 These problems have in common severe pain that is not relieved by
hoof blocks or analgesic medication.
 Specific diagnosis of the problem may be aided by using a probe to
explore fistulous tracts or by inserting a hypodermic needle (14 or 16
gauge) into joints or tendon sheaths but rarely requires radiography.
 Cows suffering from deep sepsis are truly suffering, and a
decision should be made at the first recognition of this problem
to euthanize, slaughter, or perform surgery.

81. Inflammation of the Biflex canal in sheep
 This canal is a double passage which open on either side of the
middle line of the digit about 1/4 inch above the entrance to the
interdigital space in front, it is orifice being marked with a tuft of
hair.
 The canal is not present in the goat.
Causes :
 Irritation caused by foreign matter gained entrance to the canal.
Leading to suppuration and necrosis.
Symptoms :
 There is inflammation in the affected region .
 On compression between fingers, a fatty discharge oozes from the
canal
 Lameness is pronounced, the animal remains lying most of the time.
When both limbs are affected the animal walks on the knees.

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

84. Amputation of digit in cattle
 This operation is recommended to treat
irreversible lesions of the deep tissues of the claw
such as:
 Septic arthritis of the distal interphalangeal joint
 Necrosis of the insertion of the deep flexor tendon to the
distal phalanx
 Abscessation and necrosis of the digital cushion
 Osteitis and osteolysis of the pedal bone
 Pedal bone open fractures

85. Surgical technique
 The cow is cast and placed in lateral recumbency with the affected digit
uppermost.
 Alternatively the operation may be performed with the cow standing if
one of the crushes specifically designed for foot trimming is available,
because these the limb to be adequately immobilized .
 Anesthesia can be achieved simply and effectively using an intravenous
regional nerve block.
 Amputation may be carried out above or below the proximal
interphalangeal joint by sawing through the first or second
phalanges respectively, or by disarticulation of that joint which is
the method preferred by the authors.

86.  The incision is made 0.5 cm. above the coronary band and is
continued through all the tissue to the underlying bone and continued
in like manner to encircle the digit.
 The second phalanx is exposed on its lateral aspect and the
dissection is continued upwards to the proximal interphalangeal
joint which is located 1.5 cm above the initial skin incision.
 Escape of synovial fluid indicates that the joint has been reached.
 The joint is disarticulated by continuing the incision around the joint
thereby transecting the extensor tendon cranially, the flexor
tendon caudally and the medial collateral ligament. This is made
easier by manipulating the digit.

87.  Once the digit has been removed , the articular cartilage is
removed from the distal end of the first phalanx using a
scalpel or currette.
 Any necrotic tissue is removed by sharp dissection , and the
stump of the deep flexor tendon and its synovial sheath
are examined for evidence of infection.
 The operation is completed by packing the wound with a
non-adhesive dressing and a cotton wool pad.
 The foot is enclosed in cotton wool and a cotton bandage ,
and finally Elasoplast is applied as a pressure bandage to
control heamorrhage.
 The stump is checked for any evidence of infection 4
days post operatively and the dressing is renewed.

89. Corrective foot trimming
Corrective and preventative hoof trimming
 Trimming is essential for the maintenance of healthy
normal feet on most
 dairy farms as well as on artificial insemination centers
where dozens of bull are kept in confined conditions.
 hoof trimming is being done well by full-time
professional trimmers who have their own specialist
equipment e.g. purpose-built crushes/chutes, including
the Wopa crate, or other models of turn-over devices,
most mechanically powered).
 Trimmers often prefer to use powered metal disk
grinders (angle grinders).

92. Timing of trimming
 Ideally at drying off, and again, assuming twice yearly job, at winter
housing
 or not later than one month before spring turnout but often done
when time is available.
Site of trimming
 preferably under cover, but good light essential
 site should have easy route from collecting area and to outside yard
for later inspection, and be easily cleansed

93. Foot trimming methodology
1. Step One: Inner claw of hind foot.
 If necessary trim the toe to a “correct length” of 7.5 cm (roughly
four fingers width) from the coronary band to the toe tip.
 If in doubt leave the toe slightly longer rather than cut too much
off.
Cutting the toe too short can have serious consequences:
 (a) Exposure of corium leading to bleeding and discomfort.
 (b) Render a correct trim impossible, without making the sole too
thin.

95. 2. Step two: Inner claw of hind foot.
 Trim the sole to reduce its thickness to approximately 5 mm at the
cut edge of the toe. Most horn is removed from the toe.
 The white line often reappears at this stage.
 However if the inner claw was the correct length prior to trimming
 then it should need no horn removed from the sole.
 On the inner claw in most cases the heel should not be touched as
it is essential to maintain the height of heel of the inner claw. Once
 the inner claw is trimmed it acts as a template for trimming the
outer claw.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 for the outer claw

96. 4. Step 3:
 Dish out or model the normal non-weight bearing sole on the middle
third of the inner aspect of each claw.
 Extend it about one-third the way towards the outer wall of the outer
 claw. Make it smaller on the inner claw.
 Do not go too deep and expose corium.
 This step relieves weight bearing from the typical sole ulcer site.

97. 5. Step 4:
 • Remove additional horn from the lateral claw so that it is equal in
 height to the inner claw.
 • Heel horn of the outer claw usually has to be removed to do this.
6. Step 5:
 • Remove loose under-run horn at the heels, while trying to maintain
 adequate weight distribution across and between claws.

98. The purpose of footbaths is:
 inhibition or destruction of bacteria (e.g. Fusobacterium necrophorum)
involved in interdigital skin diseases
 washing action, cleansing of digits
 hardening of sole horn, reducing wear rate and incidence of bruising and
 sole penetration
 control of digital dermatitis and heel erosion
 Equipment
 Preferably two footbaths, in tandem, with first containing water or a mild
 detergent mixture, the second the active solution.

99.  Sitting Footbaths should be sited in a passageway 1.0 to 1.2 m wide on the return
route from the parlour. It is important to avoid a site directly at the parlour exit,
where congestion could cause delays to milking and also prevent the cows from
walking slowly through the bath.
Contents.
 Water for washing the feet should be changed daily.
 Astringent chemical solutions of either copper sulphate 5% or formalin 5% (2%
formaldehyde) must not be used more than twice a week even for herds with very
soft feet, and less frequently as the feet harden
 Excessive use makes the horn brittle and may cause skin irritation. The depth of
solution in the bath should be 17 cm.
 It is useful to have two baths in series, the first containing water to wash the feet and
so reduce contamination of the astringent in a second bath.

100.  Specification - dimensions and structure.
 Length 300cm at least.
 Width 100cm at top, 60cm at bottom, in order to reduce the amount of solution
used.
 Depth 30cm.
 Ends sloping to permit emptying with a brush.
 The surface should not be slippery.
 Exit area should slope back to the bath to reduce the loss of solution.
 it should open on to a large clean area, to prevent immediate recontamination of
feet with faeces.
 Portable footbaths . These are made of glass fiber reinforced concrete and meet
the basic construction criteria.
 Dry chemical footbaths.