Musculoskeletal.

Lameness is the third most important problem on many modern dairy farms after mastitis and reproductive failure. The considerable economic losses are attributable to the cost of treatment, decreased milk production, decreased reproductive performance, and increased culling. Lameness is the third most important problem on many modern dairy farms after mastitis and reproductive failure. The considerable economic losses are attributable to the cost of treatment, decreased milk production, decreased reproductive performance, and increased culling.

Visual Appearance of the Standing Animal: The first step of the lameness examination is evaluation of the animal for any obvious signs of disease. Some signs, such as a change in hair coat that might indicate zinc or copper deficiency, would be present in several animals in a herd. Abrasions or swellings suggest a prior traumatic event. Decubital lesions might indicate prolonged periods of recumbency or difficulty experienced by the animal when rising and suggests examination of the design and management of the free stalls. The first step of the lameness examination is evaluation of the animal for any obvious signs of disease. Some signs, such as a change in hair coat that might indicate zinc or copper deficiency, would be present in several animals in a herd. Abrasions or swellings suggest a prior traumatic event. Decubital lesions might indicate prolonged periods of recumbency or difficulty experienced by the animal when rising and suggests examination of the design and management of the free stalls.

Adduction of the limb. This is a posture or gait commonly seen when there pain in the lateral claw. Adduction of the limb. This is a posture or gait commonly seen when there pain in the lateral claw. Cross-legged posture. Cattle cross their legs when there is acute pain in one or both medial claws. This is a common clinical sign of laminitis. It is also a sign typical of a fractured distal phalanx. Courtesy of Dr. Paul Greenough

Evaluation of Gait: Characteristics of abnormal gait are comparable to those of abnormal posture. For example, if there is pain in the toe, the retraction phase of the stride (when the foot passes behind the phase of vertical weight bearing) is reduced considerably. Characteristics of abnormal gait are comparable to those of abnormal posture. For example, if there is pain in the toe, the retraction phase of the stride (when the foot passes behind the phase of vertical weight bearing) is reduced considerably.

The axial surfaces of the claws should be equally concave. If they are not in young animals (2 yr old), this could indicate a predisposition to abnormality in later life, particularly in bulls. If the animal has been exposed to concrete surfaces, the sole will probably be worn flat. To facilitate examination, the surface of the sole should be washed and examined carefully for black marks, which should be explored with a hoof knife The axial surfaces of the claws should be equally concave. If they are not in young animals (2 yr old), this could indicate a predisposition to abnormality in later life, particularly in bulls. If the animal has been exposed to concrete surfaces, the sole will probably be worn flat. To facilitate examination, the surface of the sole should be washed and examined carefully for black marks, which should be explored with a hoof knife

Interdigital Dermatitis (Stable footrot, Slurry heel, Scald) Interdigital dermatitis is a low-grade infection of the interdigital epidermis that causes a slow erosion of the skin with discomfort but no lameness unless the lesion becomes complicated. It is seen worldwide but is most prevalent under poor hygienic conditions in intensive dairy production. Morbidity is usually high in housed animals, particularly toward the end of the winter. Interdigital dermatitis is a low-grade infection of the interdigital epidermis that causes a slow erosion of the skin with discomfort but no lameness unless the lesion becomes complicated. It is seen worldwide but is most prevalent under poor hygienic conditions in intensive dairy production. Morbidity is usually high in housed animals, particularly toward the end of the winter.

Etiology and Pathogenesis: Interdigital dermatitis is caused by a mixed bacterial infection, but Dichelobacter nodosus has been considered to be the most active component. Interdigital dermatitis is caused by a mixed bacterial infection, but Dichelobacter nodosus has been considered to be the most active component. The source of the infection is the cow itself, and the infection spreads from infected to noninfected animals through the environment. D nodosus cannot survive >4 days on the ground but can persist in filth that is caked onto the claws. The source of the infection is the cow itself, and the infection spreads from infected to noninfected animals through the environment. D nodosus cannot survive >4 days on the ground but can persist in filth that is caked onto the claws.

Clinical Findings: The first stage of the condition appears to be an exudative dermatitis. The exudate oozes to the commissures of the interdigital space and forms a crust or scab, which may be observed occasionally on the dorsal surface of the digits The first stage of the condition appears to be an exudative dermatitis. The exudate oozes to the commissures of the interdigital space and forms a crust or scab, which may be observed occasionally on the dorsal surface of the digits

Treatment: Systemic therapy, including the use of antibiotics, is not cost effective. In severe cases, the lesions should be cleaned and dried, after which a topical bacteriostatic agent is applied, eg, a 50% mixture of sulfamethazine powder and anhydrous copper sulfate. Systemic therapy, including the use of antibiotics, is not cost effective. In severe cases, the lesions should be cleaned and dried, after which a topical bacteriostatic agent is applied, eg, a 50% mixture of sulfamethazine powder and anhydrous copper sulfate.

Control: Good management and housing systems to keep claws dry and clean are most important. Regular foot trimming helps avoid complications. Foot bathing, beginning in late fall and before clinical cases can be identified during high-risk periods, is essential in herds known to be infected. Weekly foot bathing may be sufficient in the late fall, but the frequency may have to be increased in late winter. Good management and housing systems to keep claws dry and clean are most important. Regular foot trimming helps avoid complications. Foot bathing, beginning in late fall and before clinical cases can be identified during high-risk periods, is essential in herds known to be infected. Weekly foot bathing may be sufficient in the late fall, but the frequency may have to be increased in late winter.