Musculoskeletal_1_Spring_2025

Page 1: Title and Acknowledgements

• Title: Musculoskeletal Disease I: Approach to Lameness

• Presenter: Munetsi Tagwireyi, Large Animal Medicine

• Acknowledgements:

  • Dr. Hilari French

  • Dr. Helene Larde

Page 2: Learning Objectives

• Objective 1: Understand the impact of lameness in dairy and beef cattle.

• Objective 2: Understand the causes and risk factors of lameness in cattle.

• Objective 3: Know how to identify lameness in cattle.

• Objective 4: Know the common origins of lameness.

• Objective 5: Understand the anatomy of the cattle foot and zones of the sole surface associated with common lesions.

• Objective 6: Summarize the diagnostic approach to lameness cases.

• Objective 7: List and understand the Dutch method of claw trimming (5 steps).

Page 3: Functions of the Musculoskeletal System

• Support: Provides frame and support for the body.

• Movement: Aids in movement via collaboration of bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

• Protection: Protects vital organs.

• Hematopoietic Site: Site for components of blood formation (hematopoiesis).

• Mineral Storage: Acts as a main storage site for minerals like calcium and phosphorus.

Page 4: Lameness in Dairy Cattle

• Prevalence: One of the most common problems, affecting 15-35% (up to 55%) of dairy cattle.

• Cost Implications:

  • Treatment costs range from $80 to $500 per lame cow.

  • Reduced milk production (approx. 20% reduction).

  • Negative impacts on animal behavior and welfare (pain/stress).

  • Additional economic losses due to decreased reproductive performance and increased culling risks.

Page 5: Lameness Cost Breakdown

• Costs Include:

  • Treatment expenditures (veterinarian or hoof trimmers).

  • Visual observation and precision technology for detection.

  • Management practices (footbaths, hoof trimming).

• Losses Include:

• Reduced milk production and non-saleable milk.

• Increased risk of death, culling, and other diseases.

Page 6: Research on Lameness Costs

• Key Studies:

  • Enting et al. (1997), Kossaibati and Esslemont (1997), and further studies detailing definitions and costs associated with lameness.

• Cost Estimation Methodologies:

  • Various methodologies like farm surveys and expert opinion surveys yield different cost estimates.

Page 7: Lameness in Beef Feedlots

• Morbidity Rate: 16%

• Revenue Loss: Up to 70% due to various factors including feed efficiency and carcass quality.

• Common Lesions: Foot rot, toe abscess, laminitis, and septic arthritis.

Page 8: Diagnostic Algorithms

• Diagnostic Tools: Algorithms for identifying lameness causes in feedlot cattle.

Page 9: Causes of Lameness

• Flooring Issues: Slippery or abrasive floors, hard surfaces.

• Trimming Practices: Improper trimming frequency (should be twice yearly).

• Genetics and Nutrition:

  • Nutrition affecting hoof health (ruminal acidosis).

  • Importance of fiber and biotin to prevent overgrowth.

Page 10: Normal Animal Dynamics

• Overall weight dynamics in limb usage; 60% weight on front limbs; 40% on hind limbs.

• Weight distribution; more on lateral claws of hind limbs.

Page 11: Frequency of Lameness

• Young Animals: Septic arthritis, fractures common.

• Adults: 90% of lameness issues occur in the feet.

Page 12: Detecting Lameness

• Rating System: From 1 (normal) to 5 (inability to move).

• Behavioral Indicators: Back alignment, stride length, head carriage.

Pages 13-18: Key Indicators

• Back Alignment, Walking Speed, Weight Bearing, Head Position, Tracking Up, and Walking Rhythm measured for lameness detection.

Page 19: Lameness Scores

• Reflection on numerical ratings where certain behavioral criteria help in identifying lameness.

Page 20: Scoring System Overview

• Outlines scoring descriptions based on the five-point lameness scoring system (Sprecher).

Pages 21-22: International Lameness Scoring

• Comparison of Scoring Systems: Australia and New Zealand scoring system differs from the North American system.

Page 23: Terminology

• Definition of key terms like periople, coronary band, hoof wall, sole, and bulb, relevant to hoof anatomy.

Page 24: Figure - Claw Zones

• Depicts the different zones of the sole surface and their association with specific lesions.

Page 25: Zone Lesions

• Specific lesions associated with the respective zones of the claw.

Page 26: Anatomy and Physiological Processes

• Discusses hoof horn, its production, quality, and interactions with stressors.

Page 27: Anatomy of the Cattle Foot

• Detailed anatomy of parts of the hoof including the coronary band, wall, sole, bulb, etc.

Page 28: Hoof Growth Rates

• Normal hoof growth rates, with specific measurements for wall and sole.

Page 29: Biomechanics – Corium Response

• Discussion on weight-bearing implications for horn production and ulcer risks.

Page 30: Biomechanics

• Relation between weight bearing, claw conformation changes, and trauma risk.

Page 31: Diagnostic Approach

• Steps for assessing lameness including inspection and palpation, and tool usage such as hoof testers.

Page 32: Other Diagnostic Factors

• Importance of history, environment, nutrition, and housing factors in diagnosis.

Page 33: Hoof Care

• Best practices for maintaining hoof health, including trimming and lesion correction.

Page 34: Tools of the Trade

• Equipment necessary for effective hoof maintenance and treatment.

Page 35: Claw Trimming Positioning

• Guidance on effective positioning for trimming procedures.

Page 36: Foot Lifting Techniques

• Options for safely lifting the foot during hoof inspections.

Page 37: Dutch 5-Step Method Outline

• Detailed steps for trimming to maintain hoof health and treat lesions.

Pages 38-42: Detailed Steps of Claw Trimming

• Important parameters for trimming includes toe length, matching claws, and creating ulcer concavity.

Page 43: Therapeutic Trim Steps

• Focus on treating lesions and relieving pressure from painful claws.

Pages 44-46: Claw Blocks & Management Programs

• Types of claw blocks for treatment and outlining management programs focused on lameness prevention and care.

Page 47: Veterinarian Decision Tree

• Flowchart guiding treatment options for severely lame animals depending on condition severity and potential outcomes.

Page 48: Lameness Scores & Interventions

• Overview of grades of lameness and required interventions.

Page 49: Patient Recording

• Detailed patient data specific to individual cases.

Page 50: Conclusion

• Acknowledgment for attention and engagement.