Diseases of the lower parts of the extremities in cattle

DISEASES OF CATTLE LOWER LIMBS is a group of infectious (Mortellaro disease, (digital dermatitis), phlegmon, tyloma) and non-infectious (laminitis, Rusterholz Ulcer, deformation of hooves, injuries, bruises) diseases affecting various sections of the lower limbs.

Prevention

It is essential to observe veterinary and sanitary rules of animal welfare, keep free-range area clean (no traumatic foreign material, twine from the pressed bales etc.).

Laminitis

Laminitis - is a disease that affects the hooves in cattle. The origin can be: 1. Chemical - improper feeding, inflammatory processes (mastitis, metritis). 2. Injury - sudden change of keeping conditions, new concrete floors, long cattle drive to summer camps from stabling, uncomfortable beds, long standing without movement etc. Due to inflammation of the hoof vascular area the exudation of tissue fluid and blood occurs, which leads to rejection of the coffin from the matrix, poor formation of horns and deformation. The disease is characterized by severe pain, discomfort. It proceeds subclinically (chronic form) and clinically (acute form) until complete rejection of the coffin.

Prevention

Regular and correct cleaning of hooves, the proper diet, safe driving and floor surfaces, comfortable beds, mode of milking and wearing headlocks. 

Treatment

In the case of coffin rejection - complete removal of necrotic tissues, detached coffin - along the demarcation margin without making extra wound. Use of orthopedic coffins to reduce pressure on the affected area of ​​the hoof or relieving clearance. 

1 Antiseptic	Septo-spray Septogel	Treatment of damaged tissues
2Antibiotics treatment (intensive therapy)	Ceftonit	im 1 ml/50 kg a.b.w. with 24 hours interval for 3-5 days
3 Symptomatic therapy (in case of body temperature rise)	Flunex	im 2 ml/45 kg a.b.w. for 3-5 days
4 Substitutive therapy and stimulation of metabolism	Butofan	im 15-25 ml/animal with 24 hours interval twice

Mortellaro disease (digital dermatitis)

Mortellaro disease or digital dermatitis is a bacterial infection of the skin of the lower limb caused by groups of pathogenic microorganisms. The main pathogens are bacteria of genus Spirochaetes, Treponema spp. In sick animals, the disease is characterized by lameness of various degrees of severity with a noticeable decrease in productivity. The disease may be induced by insanitary housing conditions or infection from newly arrived animal to the herd. The disease is and winter, in spring in the period of increased humidity and dampness. It can occur massively throughout the livestock population. Prevention Regular foot baths, correct cleaning of claws, hygiene of cattle tracks.

Prevention

Rusterholz Ulcer

Rusterholz Ulcer is a pathological process characterized by development of a fistulous ulcer, perforation of the hoof and protrusion of the matrix. Etiology: housing of cows in slatted short and close pens, improperly cleared hooves or lack of clearance. The disease has no seasonal prevalence. Prevention Proper and regular clearance of hooves, comfortable beds, correct mode of milking and wearing headlocks by animals.

Treatment

Relieving clearance of hooves, the use of orthopedic coffins to reduce pressure on the affected area of the hoof.

1 Antiseptic	Septo-spray Septogel	Treatment of the affected tissues
2 Antibiotics treatment (intensive therapy)	Ceftonit*	1 ml/50 kg of animal bwt IM at 24-hour interval for 4-5 days
3 Symptomatic therapy (in case of body temperature rise)	Flunex	i.m. 2 ml/45 kg of animal bwt 3-5 days
4 Substitutive therapy and stimulation of metabolism	Nitamin	15-25 ml/animal IM every 24 hours, twice
	Butofan	i.m. or s.c. 0.2-0.25 ml/10 kg of animal bwt, single dose

Interdigital dermatitis

Interdigital dermatitis - this lesion of the hoof affects the growth of the horny sole (coffin) in the heel area, the digital torus crackles, swells and starts decomposing. The support function of the hoof is impaired. This disease affects the hind limbs to a greater degree. The disease is caused by the failure to observe hygienic standards for housing animals in the barn, unsanitary conditions and high humidity, incorrect or lack of trimming of hooves. It can occur massively throughout the livestock population. Prevention Regular footbaths, proper clearance of hooves.

Treatment

Removal of detached coffin and necrotic tissues

1 Antiseptic	Septo-spray Septogel	Treatment of the affected tissues
2 Antibiotics treatment (intensive therapy)	Nitox 200	1 ml/10 kg of animal bwt IM at 72-hour interval tree times
	Nitox Forte	1 ml/10 kg of animal bwt IM, once (do NOT use simultaneously with Flunex)
	Ceftonit*	1 ml/50 kg of animal bwt IM at 24-hour interval for 4-5 days
3 Symptomatic therapy (in case of body temperature rise)	Flunex	i.m. 2 ml/45 kg of animal bwt 3-5 days
4 Substitutive therapy and stimulation of metabolism	Nitamin	15-25 ml/animal IM every 24 hours, twice
	Butofan	i.m. or s.c. 0.2-0.25 ml/10 kg of animal bwt, single dose

Interdigital phlegmon

Interdigital phlegmon. The disease occurs in an acute form: manifests as inflammation of the interdigital connective tissue, in severe cases - as necrosis of soft and bone tissues. The disease is accompanied by changes in the lamina: hyperkeratosis and parakeratosis. This disease is often secondary. Both hind and fore limbs are affected. This disease can occur massively due to untimely elimination of the primary disease.

Treatment

Curative hoof baths using a 10% solution of baking soda at a temperature of 45-50°C, on the affected limb, for 5-10 minutes 

1 Antibiotics treatment (intensive therapy)	Nitox 200	1 ml/10 kg of animal bwt IM at 72-hour interval tree times
	Ceftonit*	1 ml/50 kg of animal bwt IM at 24-hour interval for 4-5 days
2 Symptomatic therapy (in case of body temperature rise)	Flunex	i.m. 2 ml/45 kg of animal bwt 3-5 days
3 Substitutive therapy and stimulation of metabolism	Butofan	15-25 ml/animal IM every 24 hours, twice

Tyloma (interdigital fibroma)

Tyloma (interdigital fibroma)is a disease characterized by hyperplasia of the skin of the hoof apex The hindlegs are the most affected. This lesion is the result of the secondary of pathological process on the background of chronic diseases of the hoof apex and walls, in bad sanitary conditions, injuries. Histological examination reveals inflammation with hyperkeratosis and parakeratosis. Prevention Regular footbaths, proper clearance of hooves, hygiene of the cattle routes.

Treatment

Surgical removal of the callus in the hoof cleft (carried out under the supervision of a veterinary specialist).

1 Antiseptic	Septo-spray Septogel	Treatment of the lesion tissues, application of antiseptic dressings. Replacement of dressings as it gets dirty, but at least every other day. The dressing should be kept dry.
2 Antibiotics treatment (intensive therapy)	Никитокс 200	i1 ml/10 kg of animal bwt IM at 72-hour interval tree times
	Nitox Forte	1 ml/10 kg of animal bwt IM, once (do NOT use simultaneously with Flunex)
	Ceftonit Forte*	1 ml/30 kg of animal bwt SC, once
	Azitronit	1 ml/20 kg of animal bwt IM at 24-hour interval four times
3 Symptomatic therapy (in case of body temperature rise) )	Flunex	i.m. 2 ml/45 kg of animal bwt 3-5 days
4 Substitutive therapy and stimulation of metabolism	Nitamin	i.m. or s.c. 0.2-0.25 ml/10 kg of animal bwt, single dose