Sole Ulcers and White Line Disease in the Dairy Cow
The dairy cow which suffers from chronic laminitis is predisposed to many other lameness problems. Sole ulcers, white line disease, and abscesses are diseases of the hoof that are associated with the abnormal hoof growth of the chronically laminitic dairy cow.
Sole ulcers, the result of necrosis, expose the corium and can dehabilitate a cow. The maturity of the lesion can determine the appearance of the ulcer. The ulcer happens because of increased pressure placed on the heel due to abnormal hoof growth. Affected dairy cows are often seen standing with their legs further back than normal. The pain and pressure can be helped with foot blocking applied to the good claw. If an ulcer is found in one outside hind claw it is likely that the other hind foot contains an ulcer also. Remember to never cut the ulcer or apply anything that will burn the granulation tissue and delay the healing. Ulcers are treated by digging out the damaged area and allowing drainage in a hygienic environment. The occurrence of sole ulcers can be reduced with regular hoof trimming.
The dairy cow may also become afflicted by what is commonly called White Line Disease. This is a sub solar abscess which can cause acute lameness. Most of the time with white line disease an abscess will occur in the heel leading to severe destruction of the joints and tendons. This disease is often mistaken for hoof rot but the swelling is confined to the heel of a single claw and not both claws as in hoof rot. This difference makes it easier to block up the affected hoof as there is a healthy claw to bond the block onto. Dairy cattle with white line disease often show pain in all of their feet and stand with their front or hind feet extended forward. These abscesses are most commonly caused by laminitis because the white line is more penetrable because it is widened and softer and therefore more susceptible to disease.
If you have had any experience with these problems in your dairy herd please post your comments here and share your knowledge.
Sole ulcers, the result of necrosis, expose the corium and can dehabilitate a cow. The maturity of the lesion can determine the appearance of the ulcer. The ulcer happens because of increased pressure placed on the heel due to abnormal hoof growth. Affected dairy cows are often seen standing with their legs further back than normal. The pain and pressure can be helped with foot blocking applied to the good claw. If an ulcer is found in one outside hind claw it is likely that the other hind foot contains an ulcer also. Remember to never cut the ulcer or apply anything that will burn the granulation tissue and delay the healing. Ulcers are treated by digging out the damaged area and allowing drainage in a hygienic environment. The occurrence of sole ulcers can be reduced with regular hoof trimming.
The dairy cow may also become afflicted by what is commonly called White Line Disease. This is a sub solar abscess which can cause acute lameness. Most of the time with white line disease an abscess will occur in the heel leading to severe destruction of the joints and tendons. This disease is often mistaken for hoof rot but the swelling is confined to the heel of a single claw and not both claws as in hoof rot. This difference makes it easier to block up the affected hoof as there is a healthy claw to bond the block onto. Dairy cattle with white line disease often show pain in all of their feet and stand with their front or hind feet extended forward. These abscesses are most commonly caused by laminitis because the white line is more penetrable because it is widened and softer and therefore more susceptible to disease.
If you have had any experience with these problems in your dairy herd please post your comments here and share your knowledge.
posted by Daniel Montoya at 11:18 AM
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