Carnivore and ruminant feet

Carnivore ungual process

Supports claw

Carnivore ungual crest

Vascular root of claw

Carnivore extensor process

Extensor tendons

Carnivore palmar process

Flexor tendons

Digital pad location

Overlies DIP joint

Number of digital pads

4

Metacarpal/tarsal pad location

Overlies MCP/MTP joints

Carpal/stopper pad

Forelimb only

Protects accessory carpal bone

Metacarpo/metarso-phalangeal support

Interosseus muscle

Suspensory ligament in horse

Support from each footpad

Function of footpad

Allow weight bearing over entire digit

Support digit and joints

Protection of deep structure

Traction, etc

Carnivore footpad composition

Modified skin

Carnivore Digital cushion contents

Fibrous tissue

Elastic tissue

Fat

Vascular channels

Carnivore Digital cushion function

Shock absorption

Clinical significance of carnivore digital cushion

Vascular channels - messy

Elastic tissue - suturing

Sweat glands - bandaging

Carnivore claw components

Dermis - fused to periosteum of ungual process

Germinative layer - active in 2 areas

Epidermis - heavily keratinized = horn ± pigment

Recess at ungual crest - carnivore claw germinative layer

Forms dorsal and later surface of claw

Palmer surface ungual process - carnivore claw germinative layer

Forms underside of claw

Normal claw - dog

Balanced forces

Tip touches ground

Continuous growth - wears naturally

Reduced wear examples - claw dog

Not walking

Walking on soft ground

Dew claw

DDFT damage

Consequences of reduced wear - claw dog

Claw grows in circular fashion

Claw can grow into pad

Need trimmed - cut epidermis & not dermis

Pigmented vs non-pigmented

Normal claw (not visible) - cat

Very strong dorsal elastic ligament

Neutral position = DIP joint hyperextension

Distal phalanges rotated dorsally

Claws rest in skin fold/sheath between phalanges

Remain sharp for hunting/climbing

Normal claw (visible) - cat

DDFT flexes joint

Manual pressure to digital pad

Declawing cat

Amputation of distal phalanges

Metacarpals/tarsals 3&4 in ruminant

Fused

2 x metacarpo/tarso - phalangeal joints

2 x pairs proximal sesamoid

Digits 3&4 ruminant

All bones present

Weight bearing

2x proximal interphalangeal joint

2 x distal interphalangeal joint

2x distal sesamoid bones

Digits 2&5 ruminant

Dew claws/little hooves palmar aspect

MCP/MTP joint

Ruminant foot misses

Digit 1

Ruminant hoof components

Sole, Heel, Wall, White line, Cloven hoof (medial and later claws and interdigital cleft)

Lateral wall of ruminant hoof

Convex

Continuous with heel

Medial wall of ruminant hoof

Vertical

Stops at parapedal groove

Transition hard to shoft horn = prone to damage

Ruminant hoof function

Shock absorption

__ provides shock absorption for the ruminant hoof

Bulbous heels, digital cushion, digits splay

No lateral cartilages and on frog

Hoof growth - ruminant

Coronary band - only distal part of dermis covered by laminae

Horn overgrowth

Welfare on ruminant feet

Soft ground

FL = inner claw

HL = outer claw

Solar ulcers

Welfare on ruminant feet

Especially parapedal groove

Abrasive flooring

Sheep hoof welfare

Skin gland proximal to interdigital cleft

Overgrowth a problem