Prevention of ungulomycosis in cows

This study involved a macroscopic evaluation of hoof quality in 152 Lipizzaner horses (130 from Austria and 22 from other countries) and a controlled double blind trial of the effects of biotin on hoof horn growth and quality over 19 months in 42 stallions from the Spanish Riding School (SRS) in Vienna. Using a grading system that incorporated evaluation of horn wall, white line, sole and frog, the macroscopic study revealed the following: 90% of the Austrian Lipizzaners had soft white lines and crumbling, fissured horn at the bearing border of the walls; 39% of the stallions of the SRS, > 4-years-old, had medium to severe hoof horn changes. Daily administration of 20 mg biotin to a test group of horses (n = 26) and a placebo to a control group (n = 16) showed that after 9 months the test group had significantly improved compared to the beginning of the trial and the placebo group (P < 0.01). In the test group, further improvement was observed during the following 5 months and, subsequently, the same good level of hoof condition was maintained over 3 further years of observation. Growth rate of the horn wall was equal in the biotin and placebo group, being 7 mm/28 days, giving a wall renewal period of 11 months. Mean plasma biotin level of untreated horses was 350 ng/l; plasma levels of biotin supplemented horses were > 1000 ng/l. It was concluded that continuous dietary supplementation with biotin at a daily dose of 20 mg is indicated to improve and maintain hoof horn quality in horses with less than optimum quality hoof.

The influence of dietary biotin in horses with brittle hoof horn and chipped hooves was investigated in a long-term study, which was performed over a period from one to six years. 97 horses received 5 mg of biotin per 100 to 150 kg of body weight, per os, daily; 11 horses were not supplemented with biotin and served as controls. The hooves of all horses were evaluated macroscopically every three to four months. Hoof horn specimens of the proximal wall were examined histologically and physically in 25 and 15 horses, respectively. The tensile strength of normal coronary horn was 60 N/mm2 or greater; it was reduced in areas of histological alterations, the lowest value being 20 N/mm2. The hoof horn condition of the biotin-supplemented horses improved after eight to 15 months of supplementation as determined by macroscopic and histologic examinations. The hoof horn condition of most control horses remained constant throughout the study. The growth rate of the coronary horn of horses supplemented with biotin and of control horses was the same. The hoof horn condition deteriorated in 7 of 10 horses after biotin supplementation was reduced or terminated. It was concluded that biotin should be continuously supplemented at the full dosage in horses with severe hoof horn alterations.

BackgroundHoof lesions in sows have been associated with lameness and poor hoof horn quality. The mechanical strength and quality of hoof horn is determined by the density and diameter of horn tubules, which were recently associated with the severity of lesions on the hoof wall of sows. Histologic changes that have previously been described in cases of bovine laminitis, have also been observed in the dermis and epidermis of the sows’ claws. Trace elements, particularly zinc, copper and manganese, occupy important roles as enzyme catalysts in the process of keratin synthesis which determines the quality and the integrity of the hoof epidermis. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of diet supplementation with chelated zinc, copper and manganese, partially substituting their inorganic form, on sow claw health and hoof horn quality assessed by macroscopic, histologic and morphometric examination.ResultsClinically, the total claw lesion score was significantly lower in claws of sows which received the “organic” diet compared to those of sows on the “inorganic” diet. Histologically, lamellar hyperplasia was the most frequently recorded change in the epidermis of the sows’ claws regardless of the diet’s mineral source. The claws of the sows which received the organic diet were more likely to have none or less histologic changes than at least one or more, respectively, compared to those of the sows on the “inorganic” diet. Morphometrically, the density and vertical and horizontal diameters of the horn tubules was significantly higher and smaller, respectively, in the hoof horn of sows which received the “organic” compared to those which received the “inorganic” source diet.ConclusionsPartial substitution of the inorganic zinc, copper and manganese in sows’ diet with their chelated complexes, provided a comparative advantage against a conventional, inorganic mineral source diet, at least under the conditions examined in the current study, in terms of macroscopic, histologic and morphometric criteria, characterizing the health and horn quality status of sows’ hooves.

This paper represents the second part of a study searching for factors which could be responsible for an inferior hoof horn quality of the Lipizzaner horses of the Viennese Spanish Riding School (SRS) noticed in the late 1980s. It includes an evaluation of a treatment with biotin and 42 Lipizzaner horses were tested in a double blind study. The following parameters were evaluated: 1) the histology of the hoof horn in samples from the bearing border 2) the tensile strength of the coronary horn in bearing border samples and 3) the influence of biotin upon the histological changes and the tensile strength after application of 20 mg/day of biotin during 38 months. The histological alterations of bearing border specimens were assessed by use of a grading system (Grade 0 = unchanged; Grade 1 = slight changes; Grade 2 = moderate changes; Grade 3 = severe changes). Initially more than two thirds of the horses showed moderate to severe changes: microcracks visible in the transition from the middle to the inner zone of the coronary horn; separation of the sole from the coronary horn in the region within the white zone. The tensile strength of the coronary horn, with a mean of 39 N/mm2, was 13 N/mm2 lower compared with the unchanged hooves of 10 Warmblood horses, which were investigated by Küng (1991). After 19 months of biotin treatment, the horn quality showed a small but significant improvement. This could be shown by comparing the histological tissue structure before and after treatment, as well as treated animals vs. a placebo group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The article presents the results of biochemical, biophysical, and histomorphological studies of the hoof horn of clinically healthy cows and patients with purulent pododermatitis complicated by keratomycetes. It is known that the development of the inflammatory process in the area of the hooves, in particular, due to purulent inflammation of the producing layer of the base of the skin, complicated by keratomycetes, affects not only the animal body as a whole but also the quality of the hoof horn, which is characterized by changes in its individual biochemical and biophysical indicators and the structure of the epidermis of the hooves. In particular, in the hoof horn of animals with ungulomycosis, there is a probable increase of 35.6 % in the concentration of SH-groups and 16.1 % in the moisture content, which indicates the deterioration of the keratinization process and, as a result, the accumulation of excessive moisture content in the epidermis of the hooves. It indicates a deterioration in the quality of the hoof horn. It has been established that the condition of the hoof horn is influenced by other biochemical indicators, in particular, the concentration of Sulfur and Calcium in the epidermis of the hoof. Thus, with ungulomycosis, the content of Sulfur decreases by 19.2 %, and calcium decreases by 13.9 %, which indicates the deterioration of keratinization processes. Trace elements, particularly copper and zinc, also play an important role in this process. Purulent inflammation of the producing layer of the base of the skin of the hoofs, complicated by keratomicetes, decreases the concentration of these mineral substances by 18.1 and 16.2 %, respectively. Changes in the biochemical indicators of the epidermis of the cow's hooves due to ungulomycosis also affected its biophysical properties. Thus, hoof horn density decreased by 7.4 % and hardness by 17.8 %. It was established that in the presence of dystrophic and inflammatory processes at the base of the skin of the hooves, there are certain violations of the tissue (tubular) and cellular structure due to ungulomycosis. The horn of such hooves undergoes parakeratotic changes; loosening of fibers and destruction of cellular elements is observed. Thus, purulent pododermatitis of fungal origin is accompanied by changes in specific biochemical and biophysical parameters of the hoof horn, as well as histomorphological changes. These changes lead to irreversible processes in the epidermis of the hoofs and are one reason for the transition of the inflammatory process to deeper tissues and the involvement of the entire cow's hoof in this process.

Biotin plays a critical role in the differentiation of epidermal tissue, in the fatty acid and glucose metabolism. Qualitative and quantitative changes in the synthesis of keratin filaments, interruption of the co-ordination from keratinisation until cornification and intercellular cementing substance of poor quality occur in the hoof horn of biotin deficient calves (Mulling et al., 1999). The addition of supplementary biotin in diets has been found to significantly increase hoof hardness and reduce lameness of cows (Schmid, 1995; Fitzgerald et al., 2000). The aim of this experiment was to compare changes in locomotion score and lesion score with the results of mechanical testing of the sole and white line horn in cows supplemented and not supplemented with biotin.

Pododermatitis in tall cows that occur on the background of secondary osteodystrophy can lead to significant economic losses, consisting of forced culling of animals, reduced milk yield, reproductive function and not enough receiving of calves. Therefore, the question of studying the peculiarities of origin and development, in particular chronic aseptic pododermatitis in these animals is quite actual. It is defined that with the same type of highly concentrated feeding, hypodynamics and insufficient insolation in the organism of highly pregnant cows, the process of assimilation of feed minerals is disrupted (develops, as is known, for dysfunction of the endocrine glands due to prolonged ketosis), which is appeared by resorption of the hoof bone, low rates of mass-volume extraction analysis of bone biopsy and testifies a systemic violation of mineral metabolism in animals and is confirmed by biochemical parameters, in particular, the concentration in the hoof horn of individual macro-and trace elements, as well as biophysical parameters of the epidermis of the hooves. Thus, the concentration of Calcium in the hoof horn is 16.8 % lower than in clinically healthy animals, Sulfur – by 20.3 %, Copper – by 16.2, Zinc – by 15.0, Cobalt – by 13.0 with increasing concentration of sulfhydryl groups by 34.3 % and moisture, respectively – by 5.5 %, which causes a decrease in the density and hardness of the epidermis of the hooves by 5.4 % and 19.0 %, respectively, and contributes to the deterioration of the quality of the hooves of highly pregnant cows. Such changes lead to deformation of the hooves, violation of the uniform load on their soles and the development of aseptic inflammation of the skin base of the hooves of a chronic nature, because the process of metabolic disorders occurs over a long period of time.

Violation of the conditions of animals keeping and the lack of proper level of veterinary and sanitary culture on farms does not allow to achieve a balance between the organism of the cattle and the environment of its stay. The uneven distribution of body weight on the surface of the sole caused by keeping animals on a rough floor promotes the emergence of producing corns, stretching of the tendons and ligaments, slippery flooring leads to the fall of animals and the occurrence of various injuries, in particular, fractures of the limbs, tensile bond, capsule of the joint, excessively hard floor – to excessive erosion of the horn of the sole, etc. In such herds it is difficult to maintain animal health at the proper level and prevent the occurrence of, in particular, aseptic pododermatitis. The article deals with the results on the dissemination of aseptic pododermatitis in cows for the presence of animals on wooden and reinforced concrete slit floors during the winter and standstill period of containment. It has been established that aseptic pododermatitis in cows on reinforced concrete slit floor is registered in 71.6% of cases, while on wooden – only 28.4%. In the hoof horn of the thoracic and pelvic extremities of the cows, with aseptic pododermatitis, the amount of moisture decreased by 8.2 and 9.3% respectively, the concentration of SH-groups increases by 10.6 and 15.8%, with a possible decrease in the content of calcium, sulfur, cuprum and zinc; decreases the hoof horn density and resistance to abrasion of the epithelium of the hooves of the pelvic limbs by 1.6 and 18.0%, as well as the intensity of the abrasion sole hooves of the thoracic and pelvic limbs is increased by 7.5 and 20.0%, which helps to reduce the growth of the epidermis of the sole. Consequently, changes in certain biochemical and biophysical indices of hoof horns of cows suffering from aseptic pododermatitis, which were held on the reinforced concrete slit, indicate a deterioration in the quality of the epidermal hooves and excessive erosion of the sole, which is one of the causes of the occurrence and development of aseptic pododermatitis in cows.

Of the total number of animal diseases, 70–80 % are non-communicable diseases, and more than 50 % are surgical diseases, which cause significant economic damage to the livestock industry due to reduced productivity and premature culling of livestock. Irrational, unbalanced in terms of macro- and microelements, vitamins, carbohydrates feeding leads to metabolic disorders. At the same time, deep destructive-degenerative changes in bones, joints, ligaments and tendons are registered, horn formation in the hooves is disturbed and a less stable horn is produced. Omission in feeding unsatisfactory housing conditions and inadequate care of animals. When such conditions are often supplemented, the outer cover of animals, in particular the hooves, is affected first of all. In the event of inflammatory and dystrophic processes at the base of the skin of the hooves there is a violation of tissue (tubular) and cellular structure. The horn of such hooves undergoes changes in the form of parakeratosis and deformation; this contributes to the spread and accumulation of fungal flora, which shows its pathogenic action mainly due to enzymatic activity and toxic products, which characterizes these microorganisms as a factor in the destructive processes of the hoof horn. With reduced mechanical stability and destroyed by microscopic fungi of hoof horn is more likely to develop aseptic or purulent pododermatitis. Here, the fungal flora is not only a contributing factor in the occurrence of diseases, but also as one of the factors complicating the course of the disease. That is why timely detection and effective treatment of ungulomycosis prevents the complication of the pathological process, which can even lead to culling of animals. The essence of treatment of superficial ungulomycosis is reduced to functional cleaning of hooves and their antiseptic treatment in the form of fungicidal powders, sprays, hoof baths. In deep ungulomycosis, and, moreover, in combination with purulent pododermatitis, treatment includes local anesthesia, orthopedic treatment, antiseptic treatment with isolation, pathogenetic therapy. Prevention of ungulomycosis is based on knowledge of the etiology of the disease and the pathogenetic mechanisms of its development. Its essence is to form in animals a strong hoof horn, prevent its destruction and eliminate favorable conditions for the reproduction of keratomycetes. This includes proper feeding, proper housing conditions and appropriate animal care.

The development and implementation of safe, effective means of preventing and treating diseases of the distal extremities of cattle has important veterinary, zoohygienic and economic significance. At present, the participation of saprophytic and opportunistic microorganisms and their associations in the occurrence and spread of infectious diseases of the fingers and hooves in cattle has been established. An important stage in conducting clinical trials of a new drug is studying the tolerability of its increased doses in all target species of animals for which it is intended according to the instructions. The physiological characteristics of cows associated with the birth of calves and milk production limit the range of effective medicines (antibiotics, NSAIDs, etc.) used for this category of productive animals, which creates certain difficulties in organizing therapeutic and preventive measures. In this regard, a promising direction is the use of a new product “SV” (without restrictions on milk) for dry hoof baths, developed at the Federal State Budgetary Institution “FCTRB -VNIVI” for the prevention and treatment of the initial stages of diseases of the distal limbs of cattle. The results of studying the tolerability of the “SV” product in cows with single and repeated use indicate that the developed product does not have an undesirable negative effect on the clinical status, productivity, hematological, biochemical and pathomorphological parameters of experimental animals. The cows tolerated the effect of the product well; there was no decrease in milk yield and quality of milk, damage to the integrity of the skin and hoof horn, or any allergic reactions. The research results obtained confirm the safety of using the “SV” product for dry baths in practice in the recommended dosage regimen and the prospects for extensive production tests.

The article presents data about the content of active metabolite of vitamin D3 – 25OHD3, calcium (total, bounded with protein and ultrafiltrated), inorganic phosphorus, magnesium and alkaline phosphatase activity and its isoenzymes in the blood of cows and their calves in the early postnatal period.Studies were conducted in the cows of the Ukrainian Black-and-White dairy breed and calves obtained from them. The experiment was performed during the winter housing period in pilot farm «Pasichna» of Institute of forage and agricultural Podillya NAAS of Ukraine, located in the natural geographical areas of Podillya. The blood for tests was collected from the jugular vein before morning feeding in the 5th−7th day since calving. The blood from the calves was collected in the following dates: at 5th−7th days old and at 28–30th days old. Vitamin D provision rate of animal organism was evaluated for the content of 25OH D3 concentration in blood. The level of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol is considered as a total reflection of the endogenous formation of cholecalciferol in the skin and its receipts from feed or vitaminpreparations. The concentration of 25ОНD3 in the blood of the examined animals was detected by means of the enzymelinked immunoassay using the test system developed by the Immunodiagnostik. The method is based on the competitive binding of 25OHD3 serum and 25OH D3-biotin with vitamin D3-binding protein (VDBP), that immobilized on 96-well immunological plates. The content of calcium (total, bounded with protein and ultrafiltrated), inorganic phosphorus, magnesium and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were detected usingthe biological test kits produced by the Pliva Lachema firm (the Czech Republic). The performed research reported that the content of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in serum of calves at 5–7-days age old was in the range of 29 to 34 nmol/l and slightly increased for the 28–30-days. It was established the dynamics of changes in the content of total calcium and its fractions, inorganic phosphorus, magnesium and activity of alkaline phosphatase and its isoenzymes in calves blood from 5–7- to 28–30-day-olds. The concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in the blood of calves in the first days after birth was lower, and the concentration of calcium and inorganic phosphorus – higher compared with their values in the blood of mothers in the postpartum period. It was found that the activity of alkaline phosphatase in the calf serum was higher, compared with its value in the serum of mothers. The increase in activity of alkaline phosphatase in the calf serum is expressed to a greater extent due to its bone enzyme.

The quality of hoof horn is related to 3 factors: architecture of the Stratum corneum (number of tubules and inter-tubular space), cellular factors (type of keratinization, orientation of keratin fibres) and inter-cellular factors (amount and chemical composition of the inter-cellular substance (Pellman et al., 1993). Kempson and Logue (1993) related poor hoof horn quality at 1 month before calving to the occurrence of moderate to severe solar haemorrhage at 10 to 20 weeks after calving. The objective of this experiment was to develop the use of texture analysis as a method to measure the structural strength of hoof sole tissue and assess the influence of sample width and bruising on structural strength.

It is known that feed additives with Omega -3 improve the productivity and health of pigs. Evaluation of morphological and biochemical parameters of pig blood with the use of feed additives is a necessary study to establish scientific evidence of the effects on the body of additives used in pig feeding. The article presents scientific research to determine the morphological and biochemical parameters of blood in young pigs and pigs for fattening for the use in the diet of organic feed additives Lg-Max and Sel-Plex. Feed additives Lg-Max together with Sel-Plex, was introduced as part of a premix to animal feed of the experimental group, taking into account the need of animals in Omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids (daily requirement of pigs in Omega-3 is 672 mg. In 1 g of experimental feed additive contains 353 mg of Omega-3), and the drug Sel-Plex – in the amount of 0.5 mg / kg. According to the results of the study, it was found that the studied morphological parameters of pig blood were within physiological limits according to age. Biochemical parameters in the serum of the experimental group of pigs in comparison with the control of the corresponding age are in the following dynamics: in pigs of 45 days of age probably increases – the concentration of globulins; α 2-globulins and β-globulins, and probably decreases the content of AST; in pigs 120 days of age is likely to increase – the content of total protein and magnesium; probably decreases – the content of cholesterol and alkaline phosphatase; in 155-day-old pigs, the concentration of calcium probably increases, and the concentration of cholesterol probably decreases.

Equine Veterinary JournalVolume 30, Issue S26 p. 2-3 Free Access Hail hoof science! J. D. REILLY, J. D. REILLYSearch for more papers by this author J. D. REILLY, J. D. REILLYSearch for more papers by this author First published: 10 June 2010 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1998.tb05114.xAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. References Budras, K.D. and Schiel, C. (1996) A comparison of hoof horn quality of the white line in the domestic horse (Equus caballus) and the Przewalski horse (Equus przewalski). Pferdeheilkunde. 12, 641– 645. Cuddeford, D. (1991) Response of equine hoof defects to Farrier's Formula Vet. Rec. 128, 115 (Letter). Murray, W.M. and Stein, P.K. (1958) Lectures on Strain Gauge Techniques. Department of Engineering. University of California, Los Angeles. p 657. Rossdale, P.D., Hopes, R., Wingfield-Digby, N.J. and Offord, K. (1985) Epidemiological study of wastage among racehorses 1982 and 1983. Vet. Rec. 116, 66– 69. Reilly, J.D. (1995) “No hoof no horse?” Equine vet. J. 27, 166– 168. Reilly, J.D., Cottrell, D.F., Martin, R.J. and Cuddeford, D. (1996) Tubule density in equine hoof horn. Biomimetics, 4, 23– 35. Reilly, J.D., Cottrell, D.F., Martin, R.J. and Cuddeford, D. (1998) Effect of supplementary dietary biotin on hoof growth and hoof growth rate in ponies: a controlled trial. Equine vet. J., Suppl. 26, 51– 57. Slater, M.R. and Hood, D.M. (1997) A cross sectional epidemiological study of equine hoof wall problems and associated factors. Equine vet. J. 29, 67– 69. Volume30, IssueS26September 1998Pages 2-3 ReferencesRelatedInformation

Influence of caesarean delivery and maternal factors on fat-soluble vitamins in blood from cord and neonates.