Hoof diseases. Essential guides on cattle farming

PRESENTATION

BROCHURE

ESSENTIAL G IDES ON CATTLE FARMING

Hoof diseases Adriรกn Gonzรกlez Almudena Molinero

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ESSENTIAL GUIDES ON CATTLE FARMING

Hoof diseases

ESSENTIAL G IDES ON CATTLE FARMING

Hoof diseases Adrián González Almudena Molinero

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AUTHORS: Adrián González and Almudena Molinero.

FORMAT: 17 x 11 cm.

NUMBER OF PAGES: 82.

NUMBER OF IMAGES: 123.

BINDING: paperback, wire-o.

RETAIL PRICE

€35

Lameness is an issue of great concern for farmers and veterinary practitioners around the world. It affects both dairy and beef cattle farmers and is one of the main causes for culling animals. The interest in achieving good hoof health in cattle herds is not only due to the negative consequences of lameness on the farm’s productivity and profitability, but also to social pressure as a result of animal welfare legislations.

The main objective of this guide is not to provide a specific view on hoof care, but to address the topic from a global point of view by gathering the authors’ experiences.

This handbook, written by experts in this field, is an instructive and visual guide, which will show readers how to analyse the most important characteristics of lameness and the main measures for its control and optimal prevention.

Presentation of the book Lameness is a serious problem in cattle herds worldwide. It affects both dairy and beef cattle farmers and is one of the main reasons for culling animals. Moreover, an increasing number of cattle farmers are concerned about animal welfare, which has led to a growing interest in how to control and prevent lameness. This interest in achieving good hoof health in cattle herds is not only due to the negative consequences of hoof problems on the farm’s productivity and profitability, but also to the social pressure exerted by final consumers.

Lameness originates in the hoof in 90 % of cases, and in most of these cases, it is observed in the hooves of hind limbs. An accurate diagnosis as well as an appropriate and timely treatment and the implementation of prevention strategies are essential measures to control lameness and improve hoof health in any herd.

The main purpose of this guide is to explain lameness starting from the basics (anatomy, physiology and biomechanics) to improve the reader’s understanding of this health problem as much as its risk factors and to show topics such as hoof diseases, their treatments and strategies for their control. Among prevention measures readers will found also a complete description of hoof trimming method.

The authors, veterinary practitioners experts in this field, have written an instructive and visual guide, which includes a wide variety of resources to help readers analyze the most important characteristics of lameness, and highlights the main measures for its control and prevention.

Hoof diseases

Authors Adrián González Sagüés (author) He graduated in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Zaragoza. His work has focused, for the past 25 years, on lameness and welfare in cattle. He is the founder and technical director of ANKA Hoof Care, a company dedicated exclusively to hoof care and to providing training and consulting services in this field in several countries, as well as to the design of materials and equipment for hoof health.

Adrián was one of the professors of the Master Hoof Care organised by the University of Florida; he has trimmed more than 100,000 cows in several countries thanks to his job as a professor, and has also been the coordinator of the hoof care committee of ANEMBE (Spanish Association of Specialists in Bovine Medicine).

Adrián collaborates in scientific and specialised publications on a regular basis. He has participated in the writing of several publications and in the organisation of meetings and courses on lameness.

Some of the publications in which he has collaborated are the Cuaderno de campo: cuidado de pezuñas en vacuno lechero (Field notebook: hoof care in dairy cattle) and the Tratado de Veterinaria BOVIS (BOVIS Treatise of Veterinary Medicine), published in 2003. He has also co-authored the books Manual of foot care in cattle and Laminitis y claudicaciones en bovinos (Laminitis and lameness in cattle), published in 2005 and 2009 respectively.

Almudena Molinero Argüello (scientific coordinator) She graduated in Veterinary Medicine from the Complutense University of Madrid. She has completed internships in the large animal and ambulatory care units of the University of Hannover and the University of Munich veterinary teaching hospitals.

She has worked 3 years in ANKA, focused in dairy cattle hoof health, being in charge of quality control, trainings and advice to hoof trimmers, farmers and vets. Nowadays, she works in UNIFORM-Agri in Spain, a herd management software company.

Collaborators Gerard Cramer

hkeita/shutterstock.com

He has been an associate professor at the University of Minnesota since 2013. He completed his studies in Veterinary Medicine at the University of Guelph in 2002 and obtained his PhD in 2007. He worked as a livestock farmer in his own company for seven years.

Between 2008 and 2013, he worked for the hoof care service Cramer mobile veterinary Services in Ontario (Canada).

Loris de Vecchis PhD in Veterinary Medicine. He is internationally renowned for his experience in the field of hoof surgery. He currently works as a specialist clinician in hoof health and collaborates with the University of Milan. He frequently collaborates with Professor Carlo Maria Mortellaro.

Hoof diseases

Charles L. Guard Charles completed his PhD in Biology from the Case Western Reserve University in 1975 and graduated in Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University in 1980. He had previously obtained a degree in biomedical engineering in 1970.

Charles is very active in research and training programmes. His main topics of interest are lameness and its impact on the farm’s economy and performance.

Juan Manuel Ramos Juan Manuel is graduated in Veterinary Medicine and he is specialised in cattle and lameness in extensive farming systems. He currently works as an academic coordinator for the subject of Milk Production Systems at the Technical University of Uruguay (UTEC).

Andrea Fiedler She completed her studies in Veterinary Medicine in Munich in 1991 and obtained her PhD in 1994. She has worked as a large animal veterinary surgeon since then.

Andrea is specialised in bovine hoof health and provides hoof care and consulting services.

She is currently a tenured professor of hoof care in Germany and collaborates with the Hoof Hygiene and Hoof Health Committee of the German Agricultural Society (DLG).

Communication services Website Online visualisation of the sample chapter.

Presentation brochure in PDF format.

Author´s CV. Sample chapter compatible with iPad.

www.grupoasis.com/promo/bovine_podology

ESSENTIAL G IDES ON CATTLE FARMING

Hoof diseases Adriรกn Gonzรกlez Almudena Molinero

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Table of contents 1. Introduction Lameness worldwide Temperate climates. Intensive dairy farming Temperate climates. Extensive dairy farming Dry and arid climates Tropical climates

Consequences of lameness

2. Anatomy and physiology Key structures Hoof Corium

Other anatomical structures Bones and suspensory apparatus

Digital cushions

3. Biomechanics Basic concepts Weight bearing Overgrowth of the lateral claw Forelimb biomechanics Biomechanics and movement Gait

Risk factors in biomechanics

4. Diagnosis of lameness Postural diagnosis Abnormal postures caused by lameness

White line disease Sole-heel fissure Hoof wall fissure

Environmental diseases

Upper limb lameness

Dermatitis (digital and interdigital)

Locomotion Scoring System described

by Sprecher

Interdigital hyperplasia

5. Hoof trimming

Interdigital phlegmon or foot rot

Overconsumption. Thin sole Trauma

Basic concepts

Iatrogenic lameness

Hoof overgrowth

Corkscrew claw

Functional hoof trimming method Restraint. Required equipment Mechanical restraint

Tools required

6. Hoof diseases Classification of diseases Laminitis Classification of laminitis

Digital cushions disorders Sole haemorrhages Secondary diseases of the hoof Sole ulcers Toe ulcer and necrosis

7. Treatment Hoof blocks Placement: points to consider

Bandages

8. Control and prevention strategies Lameness prevention programs Data collection and analysis Footbaths

Facilities and animal welfare in dairy cattle

9. Bibliography

1

Introduction

Hoof diseases

Dry and arid climates Hooves with less moisture have greater mechanical strength. The ground is dry and absorbs shock. It is easier to maintain a hygienic environment using efficient forced ventilation systems. Infectious diseases control is more effective, and microclimates that minimise the occurrence of lameness can be generated.

Areas near water troughs are critical points.

Examples: Mexico and the Middle East

North America: 20–55 %

UK and Europe: 15–29 %

Tropical climates

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Intensive farming in warm and very humid climates; associated with poor quality microclimates on farms.

Very poor quality fibre in the diet (due to climatic conditions). Lameness is highly prevalent and difficult to control.

Example: Florida, USA

Middle East: 8 % Mexico: 8 % South America (Chile, Argentina, Uruguay): 2–55 % Figure 2. Prevalence of lameness in different geographical areas.

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INTRODUCTION

Consequences of lameness Lameness affects a cow’s ability to rest, feed, and socialise, and therefore adversely affects its welfare. It also reduces animal productivity. The consequences of lameness can cause significant economic losses on the farm.

After infertility and mastitis, lameness is one of the main causes of losses of dairy cattle.

Consequences of lameness Decrease in milk yield Infertility Reduced lifespan Environmental mastitis Pain Loss of mobility Prolonged recumbency

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!

7

Anorexia Decreased feed intake Emaciation Immunodepression Aggressions Loss of social status

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5

Hoof trimming

Hoof diseases

Hoof overgrowth In housed animals, overgrowth occurs at the tip and heel height is reduced, resulting in alteration of the foot angle.

a

b 30

Figure 5. Representation of weight distribution. Hoof growth with appropriate growth-to-wear ratio; weight is distributed equally between the toe and heel (a). Hoof overgrowth; the tip is separated from the floor and the heel supports more weight than the toe (b).

Normal growth

Uneven growth

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HOOF TRIMMING

Functional hoof trimming method The objective is to restore the correct balance of weight distribution between hooves, and to prevent and treat lameness.

Inexperienced trimmers should follow functional trimming guidelines to avoid injury to the animal.

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STEP STEP 0

HINDLIMBS FORELIMBS Anamnesis and previous examination

STEP 1

Medial claw trimming Lateral claw trimming

STEP 2

Lateral claw trimming Medial claw trimming

STEP 3

Modelling axial holes

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STEP 4

If signs of disease are observed during trimming, reduce heel in affected claw.

Frequently lateral claw

If signs of disease are observed during trimming in affected claw, reduce the heel. Frequently medial claw

STEP 5

Heel horn erosion

STEP 6

If it exists, treat the lesion

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6

Hoof diseases

Hoof diseases

Environmental diseases

Risk factors ◗

Caused by anaerobic bacteria, including microorganisms commonly found in the digestive tract. If conditions are favourable, these microorganisms can infect the skin closer to the hoof.

◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗

Facilities with poor hygiene measures Facilities with constant humidity Insufficient ventilation Weak skin barrier, which helps the infection by bacteria (metabolic causes) Trauma of the interdigital area Overcrowding Introduction of the disease from outside (new animals, mixed batches) Biosecurity

Dermatitis (digital and interdigital) Typically affects the interdigital space and coronary margin. Mainly caused by spirochete bacteria and other anaerobic gram-negative bacteria. This condition involves several stages, depending on infected area’s size.

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Characteristic gait: affected cows display a bowlegged gait, intermittent weight bearing, and place the affected limb in front of the body. The cow walks on its toe tips if the lesion is located near the interdigital space.

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HOOF DISEASES

Other areas with dermatitis ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗

a

Asymmetrical heels Front portion of the interdigital space On existing interdigital hiperplasia Dewclaws Secondary infection of open abscesses Similar lesions affecting the udder cleft or scrotum

b

c

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Figure 12. The primary focus is located in the interdigital space, and is not always easy to observe (a). Dermatitis is usually associated with heel horn erosion (b). Clinical cases should be treated topically (b). In some cases, “cured”cows (c) continue to show a latent primary focus (magnified image in c). This is actually chronic dermatitis, and should be controlled (hygiene, footbath protocol, etc.) to avoid reappearance of clinical disease.

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6

Hoof diseases

Hoof diseases

Footbath Heel imbalance

Primary lesion

Heel horn erosion (resulting from chronic disease)

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Corno or hyperplasia

Sole ulcer

Functional trimming

Figure 13. Representation of the evolution of dermatitis (digital and interdigital) and key elements of treatment and control strategies (red boxes).

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HOOF DISEASES

Interdigital phlegmon or foot rot Acute and deep bacterial infection of the interdigital skin, secondary to weakening of the skin, usually due to penetration of a foreign body (microtrauma). Hindlimbs are more commonly affected.

In the initial phase only the skin, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue are affected. A necrotic, purulent, and foul smelling exudate appears after 12 hours. If not treated early (within 24-48 hours), the condition can become complicated, affecting the internal structures of the hoof. The most severe complication is septic arthritis.

Also known as interdigital necrobacilosis , foot rot or foul in the foot.

a

b

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c Figure 14. Interdigital phlegmon with evident inflammation of the coronary area. Necrosis has developed at the site of penetration of a foreign body (a). More advanced foot rot with a more extensive necrotic area (b).

Complicated phlegmon; inflammation has ascended the affected limb, with possible evolution to septic arthritis (c).

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Control and prevention strategies

Design: Ideally footbaths should be placed at the exit of the milking parlour, in a position that cannot be avoided. The footbath should not hinder the passage of cows and should be easy to fill and clean.

Figure 3. Footbath of appropriate dimensions.

Adapted from Cook et al. (2012).

3.00 –3.

70 m

This is a system for hoof disinfection by immersion in a footbath. Its effectiveness depends on the design used, its location, regularity of use and the farm itself.

0.72 m

Footbaths

Hoof diseases

70° aprox.

0.28 m

8

0.50–0.60 m

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Regularity of use: this depends on product used and farm characteristics, and should be determined for each herd situation.

Figure 4.

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CONTROL AND PREVENTION STRATEGIES

Facilities and animal welfare in dairy cattle Cow comfort ◗

Critical factors

◗

◗ ◗ ◗

Facilities and lots designed to allow proper rest and passage of animals.

Beds/cubicles of the appropriate size, made from quality materials. Proper maintenance.

Avoid friction (especially on the hock).

Preventive trimming programs.

Appropriate care of lame animals Specific peripartum and hospital areas located near milking parlour (Fig. 5).

Environment ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗

Good condition flooring. Rough and slip-proof, but non-abrasive.

Good hygiene in facilities Footbath protocol Temperature control and heat stress: ventilation systems.

Livestock density that ensures rest period compliance. Avoidance of hierarchical problems.

Minimal-stress livestock management

Figure 5.

Good hoof health

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Feeding ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗

Suitable feed formulation, and adequate management of surplus feed Scheduled mixing and distribution of feed ration Adequate feeding trough design to avoid hoof damage and minimise social problems.

Accessible drinkers providing fresh, clean water. Avoid build-up of standing water (Fig. 6).

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Figure 6.

Poor hoof health

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