lame cow

History

·    How long lame for?

o  Acute onset – tendon rupture, fracture, foreign body, digital dermatitis

o  Vs more chronic problem - OCD

·    Is it worse at particular times? Any progression? – mild -> severe = digital dermatitis

·    All feet/limbs affected or just one/unilateral? – single limb = FB

·    Any obvious lesions?

·    Was the cow down? Did they see it go down? – rupture of gastrocnemius tendon

·    Only one cow affected or multiple?

·    Any history of lameness in cow or herd?

·    Any previous treatments been given?

·    Current lameness protocols?

·    Do they do routine trimming?

·    Are the cows standing for long periods of time?

·    What period is the cow in, e.g. lactating, dry cow, beef?

·    Any other clinical signs? – milk drop, anorexia, weight loss = interdigital necrobacillosis

Clinical examination

·    How is animal standing? – front feet crossing = P3 fracture, splits = obturator paralysis

·    Assess lameness

o  Acute onset, very severe – P3 fracture, interdigital necrobacillosis

o  Initially mild, then severe – digital dermatitis

o  Sudden onset

·    Look at limbs – any swelling or pain

·    Look at feet and claws

o  Haemorrhage in the sole – sole ulcer

o  Small black tracts in sole – white line disease

o  Lesions behind heel bulbs? – digital dermatitis

o  Swelling around heel bulbs and coronary band? – interdigital necrobacillosis

o  Foul smell, inflamed between claws? – interdigital necrobacillosis

o  Pits and fissures in heels? - in winter? = slurry heel

o  Digital pulses?- P3 fracture

Assess environment

·    Are cows lying down? – if not then indicator of poor cubicle comfort

·    What is the route to the parlour like? Sharp corners? Tracks with stones? – risk of WLD

·    Are floors clean? Slurry pooling? – digital dermatitis risk

Approach

·    Trim foot +/- block as needed

·    NSAIDs – ketoprofen good as no milk withdrawal

·    Digital dermatitis – oxytetracycline spray if M2, chelate CuZn gel if other stage, bandage and check every few days

·    Interdigital necrobacillosis – systemic oxytetracycline 3-4d, debride necrotic tissue, wash foot

·    Slurry heel – formalin foot bath

5 steps to foot trimming

1.        Correct toe length (80-90mm)

2.        Level opposite claw – to ensure even distribution

3.        Model – allow walls to bear majority of weight, remove weight from sole ulcer site

a.        Improves cleanliness, reduce pressure on hoof

b.        Bigger dish in more weight bearing claw (FL = medial, HL = lateral)

4.        Remove weight from painful claws – create height difference (by applying block)

5.        Remove dead/diseased horn