Foot Lesions

Question 1

what are the 4 most common foot lesions?

Answer 1

digital dermatitis>white line dz>sole ulcer> sole hemorrhage

Question 2

where do cow lameness lesions usually localize to?

Answer 2

90% in the feet and 90% in the hind feet

Question 3

different ways you can identify lameness in cows?

Answer 3

locomotion scoring, lesion identification, reviewing records

Question 4

explain etiology of sole ulcer and hemorrhage?

Answer 4

flexor tendon attaches to the caudal end of P3 where a bony protrusion is–>movement of P3 and/or external pressure causes pinching of the corium and the germinal epithelium between P3 and the hood capsule. changes in the structure and function of the digital cushion leads to poor cushioning and the formation of new bone on P3 can make it worse

Question 5

describe consquences of sole ulceration/hemorrhage in mild, moderate, and severe cases

Answer 5

mild: blood into the horn
moderate: partial interruption of horn production at the sole ulcer site
severe: horn production stops completely at the ulcer site for a prolonged period

Question 6

CS and characteristics of sole ulcer/hemorrhage?

Answer 6

slight to severe lameness, often both hind feet, usually lateral claw of hind and medial of front feet, possible secondary infection, deep digital sepsis when extreme

Question 7

hemorrhagic discoloration of the sole means

Answer 7

complete stop of horn production at the ulcer site

Question 8

how do you treat sole ulcer/hemorrhage? prognosis?

Answer 8

decrease pressure on pinched corium
corrective trimming
remove underhorn and granuloma tissue
apply a foot block
if infected, antibiotics

prognosis is good in mild cases, pooer if multiple claws affected, it’s severe, or deep digital is present

Question 9

etiology of white line disease?

Answer 9

the junction between the sole and the wall is an area of weakness. Simialrly to sole ulcers where there’s movement of P3 and problems with the digital cushion leading to initial hemorrhage in the white line with can cause it to separate. less well understood than sole ulcers/hemorrhage.

the white line can seal over, trapping infection and creating pus under the sole which is painful.

Question 10

separation of the hoof wall from the sole is worse if:

Answer 10

standing and turning on concrete, dirt and stones which carry infection get into the corium

Question 11

what do white line dz lesions look like? CS?

Answer 11

abscesses under the sole, infectious tracts, pus breaks out usually at the heel or coronary band, lesions are always black

CS: moderate to severe lameness, lateral claw more common, swelling +/- big abscesses, leg abducted to bear weight on medial claw

Question 12

Answer 12

white line disease

Question 13

Answer 13

sole ulcer/hemorrhage

Question 14

treatment of white line disease

Answer 14

trim the claw, explore and drain any abscesses, foot block and NSAIDs, antibiotic dressing for 48 hours, parenteral antibitoics if necrotic corium found

Question 15

etiology of digital dermatitis

Answer 15

multifactorial infectious bacterial disease

lesions are the reservoir, usually when cows housed together, possibloe contamination from hoof knives, foot to foot contact or fomites, host genetic susceptibility is likely

Question 16

CS of digital dermatitis

Answer 16

mild lameness, lesions in interdigital area behind heels bulb, moist brown grey exudate and some epidermal liquifaction, maybe some granulation tissue, papilloform or hairy wart looking lesions

Question 17

most critical phase to treat digital dermatitis

Answer 17

M2 phase (idk why dont ask me)

Question 18

how to treat digital dermatitis

Answer 18

clean and remove debris, dry it, apply topical antibiotics, can also bandage with antibacterial products, parenteral antibiotics not useful

Question 19

etiology of interdigital necrobacillosis or foot rot

Answer 19

necrotizing inflammation of the interdigital skin, usually fusobacterium necrophorum, usually caused by damage to the skin (like FB, rough errain, course straw, etc)

Question 20

Answer 20

digital dermatitis

Question 21

Answer 21

interdigital necrobacillosis/ foot rot

Question 22

CS of foot rot/interdigital necrobacillosis

Answer 22

sudden onset of lameness, soft tissue swellings around the coronary band between the digits, split interdigital space with pus and necrotic tissue, foul smell

Question 23

treatment for foot rot/interdigital necrobacillosis

Answer 23

check for FBs, wash and flush with clean water, debride the necrotic tissue, parenteral antibiotics for 3-5 says

Question 24

Answer 24

deep digital sepsis

Question 25

when can you NOT use facilitated ankylosis?

Answer 25

if the proximal inter P joint is also affected