CONSIDERATIONS ON THE MAIN FOOT DISEASES IN LIVESTOCK FARMING: a integrative review of the literature

Abstract

Introduction: Cattle farming, whether dairy or beef, is one of the mainstays of the Brazilian economy today. Foot diseases directly affect the production chain in this agricultural area, causing production to fall and reducing the economic potential of the activity. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical, epidemiological and pathophysiological aspects of the main foot diseases that affect livestock, building on knowledge based on case reports and previous theoretical approaches. Materials and Methods: This is a integrative review of the literature on the main foot diseases affecting livestock. The descriptors "Foot Diseases", "Farming" and "Epidemiology" were cross-referenced in the National Library of Medicine (PubMed MEDLINE), Google Scholar and Virtual Health Library (VHL) databases. After this, Sole Ulcer, White Line Disease, Digital Dermatitis and Phlegmon were chosen for discussion. Results and Discussion: The articles included in this integrative review showed epidemiological, clinical, pathophysiological and propaedeutic aspects of the main foot diseases that affect livestock. Conclusion: Foot diseases represent a major problem for dairy cattle farming, being responsible for reduced production and the early disposal of animals. Most of them have lameness as a common symptom, which is the cause of changes in the gait of cattle and, consequently, in the physiological habits of the animals.