Thin sole in cattle

Abstract

Lameness has long been one of the three major economic disorders, particularly in dairy cattle. Thin soles, excessive wear of the soles, are only one reason for lameness. Their occurrence varies from farm to farm. Outbreaks may occur on intensively managed dairy farms, particularly on pasture-based systems. However, the disorder has been recognised in housed dairy and feed-lotted beef cows. Typically, thin soles are seen in dairy cows in early lactation exposed to wet conditions at claw level and long walking distances. Abrasive material/s on the walking surfaces and feeding platforms usually speed up the process of excessive wear. Excessive sole wear may be expected in new or re-concreted milking parlours and yards. The new concrete is very abrasive. In such situations, more than half of the herd may develop lameness within a few weeks from exposure to the new/re-concreted area (popularly referred to as ‘new concrete disease’). Early signs of thin soles include a slow, painful gait. The walking style is often described as ‘walking on egg shells’. Milk production is lowered at individual cow and group level. On clinical examination the dorsal wall of the claw is short and the sole is flexible on thumb pressure. Haemorrhages in all claw zones may be present. The incidence of sole ulcers, white line disease, toe ulcers, subsolar abscess and osteitis of the third phalanx is often increased. Control should aim to prevent excessive wear, early detection of the affected cows and improve the claw horn quality. This article discusses the thin sole disorder not addressing that caused by over trimming.