Unit 6 -- Part 6
Management of Lameness -- Ruminants
J. Nielsen

[Note hyperlinks to toxic plants covered in this unit.]

Once again, we can must consider the triad of factors -- host, environment and agent -- when we consider lameness in animals.

Host Role

Conformation -- heritable traits

    • post-legged or excessive slope of pastern
    • sickle- or cow-hocked
    • corkscrew or roll claws
    • shallow heel

Nutrition

    • laminitis - 1o vascular change leading to edema, thrombosis and separation of sensitive laminae of hoof. May be caused by:

a. high grain diet/low roughage diet- lush pasture --- rumen acidosis

b. agent role also - due to endotoxins released systemically by bacterial infection in host animal

    • nutritional deficiencies/imbalances

a. vitamin E/selenium deficiencies leads to white muscle disease

b. Ca:P imbalance leads to rickets

Environment Role

Agent Role

Bacteria

    • Joint ill (naval ill) - unsanitary birthing conditions - systemic infection through the umbilicus
    • Polyarthritis may be caused by Chlamydia, Mycoplasma
    • Footrot - carrier animals, contaminated pastures, moist environment
    • Digital dermatitis - spirochete

Viruses

    • retroviruses

a. Caprine Arthritis & Encephalitis (CAE)
b. Ovine Progressive Pneumonia (OPP)
c. control by removing offspring prior to suckling

    • Bluetongue, vesicular stomatitis, foot and mouth disease, BVDV, malignant catarrheal fever

Prevention & Control of Lameness

  • Nutritionally balanced ration
  • Good genetics
  • Floor texture
  • Sanitation - clean, dry environment
  • Routine foot exam & trim
  • Foot baths

1. wash feet first, change solution often

2. types - 5% CuSO4, 5% formalin, antibiotic

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