Prevalence, biomechanics, pathogenesis and clinico-therapeutic studies on foot lameness in dairy animals
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Date
2006
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Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana
Abstract
The epidemiological, etiopathological, biomechanical and therapeutic studies were undertaken on foot lameness in lactating cattle and buffaloes of organized and unorganized dairy farms of Ludhiana district. The epidemiological studies revealed that foot lameness was significantly higher in cattle on organized farms (1.18 foot lesions/digit) and in buffaloes on unorganized farms (0.97 foot lesions/digit). Overall clinical lameness was 8.92 per cent in cattle and 2.26 per cent in buffaloes. Heel erosions were the most predominant lesion (45.44%) in cattle on organized farms whereas sole avulsions were maximum (37.38%) in cattle on unorganized farms. Sole hemorrhages were the most predominant lesion (16.57%) in buffaloes on organized farms and underrun soles were maximally (46.08%) present in buffaloes on unorganized farms. Sole avulsions, abaxial wall overgrowth and abaxial wall degeneration were observed for the first time in the present study. Cows in the first lactation exhibited significantly high sole hemorrhages, white line hemorrhages and underrun soles in their early lactation period. Heel erosions, sole avulsions, white line fissures, overgrown hooves, overgrown soles and interdigital dermatitis (IDD) were more commonly observed in old and senior lactation animals. White hooves were more susceptible to foot lesions as compared to black hooves in cattle. Mineral analysis revealed significant decrease in the toe sole ratio of zinc and copper concentrations in cows affected with foot lesions. Histopathological examination of hooves with sole hemorrhages revealed arteriosclerosis with mild lympho-mononuclear infiltration along with edema, fibroplasia and degenerative changes in the corium. Biomechanical studies indicated an overall trend of skewing of foot angles in all the hoof digits in buffaloes and in hind outer digits in cattle. Contrarily, overgrowth was observed in all the digits of buffaloes and only in hind outer digits in cattle. Most of the biomechanical parameters such as body weight, rump width, foot angle, hoof length, toe length, claw volume and body weight claw volume ratio changed significantly from before conception to the mid gestation stage in cattle and buffalo heifers. In animals affected with FMD, there was a significant alteration in claw parameters. The significant increase in the foot lesions/disease score from before conception to after calving stage in cattle heifers indicated a role of physiological and hormonal changes associated with calving. Ceramides are important components of the neutral lipid binding of keratinocytes present in the stratum cornium layer of epidermis and are responsible for water barrier function. Biochemical studies revealed 11 types of ceramides in sole lipids and 5 types of ceramides in toe lipids. Therapeutic studies revealed significant improvement in foot lesions/disease score with the supplementation of biotin and zinc methionine. Formalin footbath was very effective in controlling the existing foot lesions.