Lateral Claw Research Articles

BIOMECHANICAL VARIABLES OF THE FOOT IN SOUND RETICULATED GIRAFFES (GIRAFFA CAMELOPARDALIS RETICULATA) IN HUMAN CARE.

Lameness is an important veterinary and welfare concern for giraffes in human care. To date, there is limited information on the objective weight-bearing characteristics of the foot in giraffes, making evidence-based decisions for foot care and lameness treatment subjective. Eleven young-adult reticulated giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata; median age, 3.5 yr [range, 13 mon-13 yr]), with no clinical lameness or visible hoof overgrowth when viewed from standing, voluntarily walked across a commercially available pressure-sensitive walkway. Footfalls were analyzed for force, pressure, surface area, and impulse from each foot. The weight-bearing claw was also determined based on pressure in both the front and hind limbs. The data obtained suggest that the main weight-bearing claw is the lateral claw in both the forelimbs and the hind limbs the majority of the time, but is inconsistent. The forelimbs also had greater values for all biomechanical variables than the hind limbs. The higher force and pressure suggest that giraffe forelimbs are subjected to greater biomechanical stress than the hind limbs. The relative maximum force from front limbs to hind limbs was 59:41. For these clinically sound giraffes, the center of force was consistently located in the interdigital space approximately equidistant from the toe and heel correlating with the center of mass of the limb. Furthermore, foot strikes occurred in a heel-first pattern. A pressure-sensitive walkway was well tolerated by all animals in the study and may be used in future research to help further elucidate factors that contribute to lameness in giraffes.

Validation of the hind feet position score and its association with heel height difference in dairy cows.

Hind feet position scoring (HFPS) categorizes the outward rotation of the hind feet from the line parallel to the midline of the body in standing dairy cows. It has previously been used as an indication of both differences in heel height between the lateral and medial hind claw (to determine the need of hoof trimming) and the presence of claw lesions in sound cattle. In this observational study, the agreement of HFPS with other types of hoof angle measurements, as well as its association with the heel height difference (HHD) between the claws were investigated.A total of 51 dairy cows were assessed independently by three observers in two measuring rounds on two different measuring days each. On each occasion, they scored the HFPS, and measured the angle of outward rotation of both hind feet using a digital protractor (DIG) and a compass app (COMP). Heel height difference was measured only during the second occasion. Intra- and interobserver agreement were calculated using weighted kappa statistics (HFPS) and intraclass correlation (DIG, COMP and HHD). Associations between HFPS and DIG, COMP and HHD were analyzed using linear mixed models.Intra- and interobserver reliability were poor to good for HFPS, DIG, COMP and HHD. HFPS was significantly associated with DIG and COMP but not with HHD. Using the median value of repeated HFPS scores could increase the robustness of the HFPS assessment, as our data indicate that the cows frequently shift the position of their hind claws. Overall, there was a poor correlation between HHD and HFPS, so HFPS may not be determined by HHD alone; future research should consider other reasons for outward rotation of the hind feet.

Transcriptional responses consistent with perturbation in dermo-epidermal homeostasis in septic sole ulceration

The aim of this study was to evaluate transcriptional changes in sole epidermis and dermis of bovine claws with septic sole ulceration of the lateral claw. Assessment included changes in transcripts orchestrating epidermal homeostatic processes including epidermal proliferation, differentiation, inflammation, and cell signaling. Sole epidermis and dermis was removed from region 4 of lesion-bearing lateral and lesion-free medial claws of pelvic limbs in multiparous, lactating Holstein cows. Control sole epidermis and dermis was obtained from region 4 of lateral claws of normal pelvic limbs. Transcript abundances were evaluated by real-time QPCR and relative expression analyzed by ANOVA. Relative to normal lateral claws, sole epidermis and dermis in ulcer-bearing claws exhibited downregulation of genes associated with growth factors, growth factor receptors, activator protein 1 (AP-1) and proto-oncogene (CMYC) transcription components, cell cycle elements, lateral cell-to-cell signaling elements and structures of early and late keratinocyte differentiation. These changes were accompanied by upregulation of pro-inflammatory transcripts interleukin 1 α (IL1A), interleukin1 β (IL1B), interleukin 1 receptor 1 (IL1R1), inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS2), the inflammasome components NOD like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), pyrin and caspase recruitment domain (PYCARD), and caspase-1 interleukin converting enzyme (CASPASE), the matrix metalloproteinases (MMP2 and MMP9), and anti-inflammatory genes interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL1RN) and interleukin1 receptor 2 (IL1R2). Transcript abundance varied across epidermis and dermis from the ulcer center, margin and epidermis and dermis adjacent to the lesion. Sole epidermis and dermis of lesion-free medial claws exhibited changes paralleling those in the adjacent lateral claws in an environment lacking inflammatory transcripts and downregulated IL1A, interleukin 18 (IL18), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFA) and NOS2. These data imply perturbations in signal pathways driving epidermal proliferation and differentiation are associated with, but not inevitably linked to epidermis and dermis inflammation. Further work is warranted to better define the role of crushing tissue injury, sepsis, metalloproteinase activity, and inflammation in sole ulceration.

Molecular evidence of sterile tissue damage during pathogenesis of the pododermatitis aseptica hemorrhagica circumscripta is associated with disturbed epidermal-dermal homeostasis

Podermatitis aseptica hemorrhagica circumscripta is associated with metalloproteinase 2 weakening of distal phalangeal suspensory structures and sinkage of the distal phalanx in the claw capsule. Pressure from the tuberculum flexorium on the sole epidermis and dermis produces hemorrhagic tissue injury and defective horn production appearing as yellow-red, softened claw horn in region 4 of the sole. A model of the MAPK/ERK signal cascade orchestrating epidermal-dermal homeostasis was employed to determine if sterile inflammatory responses are linked to disturbed signal transduction for epidermal homeostasis in sole epidermis and dermis. The objective was to assess shifts in target genes of inflammation, up- and downstream MAPK/ERK signal elements, and targeted genes supporting epidermal proliferation and differentiation. Sole epidermis and dermis was removed from lateral claws bearing lesions of podermatitis aseptica hemorrhagica circumscripta, medial claws from the same limb and lateral claws from completely normal limbs of multiparous, lactating Holstein cows. The abundance levels of targeted transcripts were evaluated by real-time QPCR. Lesion effects were assessed by ANOVA, and mean comparisons were performed with t-tests to assess variations between mean expression in ulcer-bearing or medial claw dermis and epidermis and completely normal lateral claw dermis and epidermis or between ulcer-bearing dermis and epidermis and medial claw dermis and epidermis. The lesions were sterile and showed losses across multiple growth factors, their receptors, several downstream AP1 transcription components, CMYC, multiple cell cycle and terminal differentiation elements conducted by MAPK/ERK signals and β 4, α 6 and collagen 17A hemidesmosome components. These losses coincided with increased cytokeratin 6, β 1 integrin, proinflammatory metalloproteinases 2 and 9, IL1B and physiologic inhibitors of IL1B, the decoy receptor and receptor antagonist. Medial claw epidermis and dermis from limbs with lateral claws bearing podermatitis aseptica hemorrhagica circumscripta showed reductions in upstream MAPK/ERK signal elements and downstream targets that paralleled those in hemorrhagic lesions. Inhibitors of IL1B increased in the absence of real increases in inflammatory targets in the medial claw dermis and epidermis. Losses across multiple signal path elements and downstream targets were associated with negative effects on targeted transcripts supporting claw horn production and wound repair across lesion-bearing lateral claws and lesion-free medial claw dermis and epidermis. It was unclear if the sterile inflammation was causative or a consequence of these perturbations.

A prospective cohort study of factors associated with the digital cushion thickness in dairy cattle

Key factors such as stage of lactation, parity, and body fat reserves have been associated with the digital cushion thickness (DCT), however, there are discrepancies between the results of previously published studies. The objective of this study was to examine the association of stage of lactation, body fat reserves, parity, and lesion incidence with DCT in a large cohort of intensively monitored cows. Across 4 UK farms, 2,352 cows were prospectively enrolled and assessed at 4 time points: before calving (T1-Precalving), immediately after calving (T2-Calving), in early lactation (T3-Early), and in late lactation (T4-Late). At each time point, BCS was recorded, the presence of sole lesions (sole ulcers and sole hemorrhage) and white line lesions was assessed by veterinarians, and an ultrasound image was taken to retrospectively measure the backfat thickness (BFT) in the pelvic region and the digital cushion on the hind left lateral claw. Mixed effects multivariable linear regression models, with the cow as a random effect, were fit to examine the association between the explanatory variables and DCT. The explanatory variables tested were farm, parity, stage of lactation, BCS, BFT, height, the presence of a lesion at the time of measurement, the chronicity of a lesion during early lactation, the predicted maximum daily milk yield, and the rate of milk production rise in early lactation. Stage of lactation and farm were both associated with DCT; however, an interaction was present, and this DCT pattern of change was farm-dependent. Two distinct patterns emerged; one indicated the nadir to occur shortly after calving, the other indicated the nadir to occur during early lactation. Neither BFT nor BCS were significantly associated with DCT. Heifers displayed thinner digital cushions compared with multiparous cows; however, this effect was dependent on the stage of lactation, with heifers having a thinner digital cushion up until late lactation, by which time DCT was commensurate with multiparous animals. Sole lesions and white line lesions at the time of measurement were associated with DCT (sole lesion: estimate = -0.07 mm, 95% CI = -0.14-0.00; white line lesion: estimate = 0.28 mm, 95% CI = 0.15-0.42).

An abattoir study of the prevalence of foot lesions and claw measurements in water buffalo in Egypt

BackgroundLameness has been associated with compromised animal welfare and reduced productivity in dairy cattle herds worldwide. However, little is known about the prevalence of claw lesions in the dairy buffalo population in Egypt. Furthermore, the optimum measurements for claw trimming in buffalo are unknown. A cross-sectional cadaver study was conducted where 135 pair buffalo hind feet were collected from 4 slaughterhouses and examined for the presence of claw lesions. The proportion and associated 95% confidence interval (CI) of each type of lesion were calculated. A separate set of healthy claws (n = 26) underwent ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT). The agreement between US and CT measurements was assessed using Passing-Bablok regression and intraclass correlation coefficient. The CT measurements were used to calculate trimming recommendations.ResultsAt least one lesion was identified in 242 claws (89.6%, 95% CI = 85.4–93.0). In healthy claws, poor to moderate agreement was identified between US and CT measurements which could be due a sample size of the study. The average ± standard deviation (SD) minimum recommended external wall length of the lateral and medial claws in heifers was 7.1 ± 0.36 cm and 7.5 ± 0.35 cm, respectively. The average ± SD minimum recommended external wall length in buffaloes over five years of age was 8.2 ± 0.27 cm and 8.4 ± 0.39 cm for the lateral and medial claws, respectively.ConclusionsThe study found a high prevalence of claw lesions in buffalo in Egypt, the clinical significance of which requires further elucidation. Recommended measurements will help guide claw trimming in buffalo to minimise lesions.

Hind feet position score: A novel trait to genetically reduce lameness incidence

Lameness is an important health and welfare issue that causes considerable economic losses in dairy herds. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the hind feet position score (HFPS) can be used as an auxiliary trait for genetic evaluation of lameness. The HFPS is evaluated by visual scoring of the position of both the hind-digits to the mid-line of the cow's body. The higher the heel height of the lateral claw, the higher is the HFPS, and the higher is the risk for development of lameness. In total, 3,478 records from 1,064 Fleckvieh cows from 35 farms were obtained between September 1, 2021, and March 5, 2022. Data collection was carried out by the regional milk recording organizations. Hind feet position was scored visually by trained personnel during routine milk performance testing in the milking parlor using a 3-class scoring system: score 1 = 0° to <17° indicating a balanced heel height of both the medial and the lateral claw; score 2 = angle of 17° to 24°; score 3 = angle of >24°. After all cows had been milked, locomotion scoring was performed for each animal using a 5-class scoring system with locomotion scores ranging between 1 (normal) and 5 (severely lame). Using HFPS, sensitivity and specificity were 69.5% and 66.8%, respectively, for detecting lameness defined by locomotion score ≥2. For genetic analyses, a bivariate linear animal model was fitted with fixed effects of herd, parity, lactation stage, and classifier, and random effects of animal and permanent environment. Heritabilities for HFPS and locomotion score were 0.07 and 0.10, respectively, and the genetic correlation between the 2 traits studied was 0.80. These results suggest that the HFPS could be used for genetic evaluations to reduce lameness incidence in dairy cattle.

Retrospective evaluation of the causes and distribution of lameness in beef and dairy cattle evaluated by ambulatory and in-house clinical services at a North American veterinary teaching hospital.

To describe the causes and distribution of lameness in beef and dairy cattle presenting to either a primary care ambulatory or in-house clinical service at a veterinary teaching hospital. This retrospective clinical case study was conducted by reviewing hospital admissions of beef and dairy cattle seen by in-house or ambulatory clinicians at a veterinary teaching hospital from 2001 to 2021. Final diagnosis was recorded and, when available, the affected limb, whether a lesion was localized to the digit, and the affected claw were also recorded. Data were stratified by location of initial evaluation (ambulatory vs in hospital), period of presentation, production class, age, sex, and whether the final diagnosis was infectious or noninfectious. Overall, 2,220 animals met criteria for inclusion in the study. The most common diagnoses were noninfectious in nature and affected a hind limb more often than a forelimb. More than 82% of all cattle had lameness localized to the digit, with the lateral claw being affected more than 80% of the time. Lameness is an important concern from both a humane and economic standpoint. The results of this study will help with the diagnosis and prevention of lameness in beef and dairy cattle of different ages and production classes.

New Records of the Copidognathus gibbus Group (Acari, Halacaridae) from Korea, with Descriptions of C. levicostatus n. sp. and C. vicinus

Two marine halacarids, Copidognathus levicostatus n. sp. and C. vicinus Bartsch, 1997, belonging to the C. gibbus group, have been recorded based on both sexes from the microhabitat of intertidal and sublittoral rocks on the coast of South Korea. Copidognathus levicostatus n. sp. Is characterized by a combination of features, as follows: the absence of areolae with rosette pores on all dorsal and ventral plates, the presence of a short frontal process, a pair of costae with raised narrow ribs on the posterior dorsal plate, the partial fusion of the anterior epimeral plate and genitoanal plate in both sexes, and three pairs of perigenital setae in the male. The Korean specimens of C. vicinus Bartsch, 1997 agree well with the original description from Hong Kong, except for the lateral claws bearing a comb. This study provides detailed (re)descriptions of the morphological characteristics of the two Korean halacarid species, C. levicostatus n. sp. and C. vicinus, based on illustrations and scanning electron microscope photomicrographs. Additionally, we present a dichotomous key for known Copidognathus species in Korean waters, accompanied by a brief comment on their occurrence in various microhabitats, especially their habitat preferences for geniculate and non-geniculate red coralline algae.

Dairy cow hoof impact and slide measurements for common Ontario dairy farm floorings

In the context of understanding lameness and injury from slipping, our objective was to characterize hoof impact and slide of 5 cows walking on 6 flooring surfaces commonly used in Ontario dairy farms: diamond-grooved concrete (DC), sanded epoxy-covered concrete (EC), grooved rubber mat (GR), high-profile rubber mat (HR), low-profile rubber mat (LR), and turf grass (TG; Kentucky bluegrass/fescue mix). Surface hardness was measured on each surface using a Clegg Impact Soil Tester. Five trained lactating Holstein cows were each walked over all 6 surfaces sequentially in a randomized order. Walking speeds were determined from 60-fps videos. A 3-axis accelerometer attached to the lateral claw of each hindfoot captured continuous horizontal (aH), vertical (aV), lateral (aTLat), and medial (aTMed) accelerations at 2,500 Hz during each trial, from which peak values were identified. Data from 45°-rosette strain gauges glued to the dorsal surface of both medial and lateral hooves allowed for the calculation of principal strains (ε1 and ε2). From continuous data, several data points were extracted from 3 to 6 stances/trial: peak values of aH, aV, and aT for the impact phase of the stance; midstance values of ε1 and ε2 as proxies for force on the foot; magnitudes of normal (i.e., consistent and repeatable) sliding on the surface during the support phase; and 3 timing events to capture the cadence of the motion. All aH and aV signals were inspected onscreen to identify irregularities between the end of impact and beginning of breakover that indicated hoof slipping, which was observed on all surfaces. The effects on all measured variables of surface, cow, speed, and hoof (and all significant higher-order factors) were assessed by ANOVA in SAS 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc.), after verifying data normality. Values of aHmax, indicating grip on the surface from highest to lowest, ranked the surfaces in this order: LR, DC, HR, GR, EC, and TG. Ranking on aVmax, indicating most to least cushioning of the hoof on impact, ranked the surfaces in this order: DC, HR, GR, EC, LR, and TG. Differences in ranking among these and other significant impact variables indicate that future studies of lameness on different surfaces need to include all significant variables identified here. We detected no surface and strain interactions in either the ε1 or ε2 strain, indicating that the surfaces do not affect the overall loads on the foot at midstance. Additionally, lateral and medial hooves may have different roles in a stance. The results highlight the capacity to evaluate flooring types with this technology, and the study provides a tool for future work to examine the role of flooring types in the causation of lameness.

Optimal lameness induction model development using amphotericin B in meat goats.

Lameness continues to be a critical health and welfare concern associated with goat production. Amphotericin B (amp B) is an antimicrobial successful in inducing transient lameness for research purposes previously in livestock animals. The objectives of this study were to (1) identify which of three varying doses of amp B would be most effective in inducing lameness in meat type goats and (2) develop a facial grimace scale for goats. Lameness was produced by an intra-articular injection of amphotericin B into the left hind lateral claw distal interphalangeal joint with either a 5 mg/0.25 mL (high-low, 5 mg of amphotericin B in a volume of 0.25 mL), 5 mg/0.5 mL (high-high, 5 mg of amphotericin B in a volume of 0.5 mL), or a 2.5 mg/0.25 mL (low-low, 2.5 mg of amphotericin B in a volume of 0.25 mL). A saline treatment of 0.5 mL was used as control (0.9% sterile saline solution). Lameness response was analyzed by infrared thermography (IRT) at the induced joint, mechanical-nociception threshold (MNT), visual lameness scoring (VLS), a visual analogue scale (VAS), kinetic gait analysis (KGA), plasma cortisol (CORT), substance P (Sub P), and behavior scoring. The IRT and MNT values differed by timepoint (P ≤ 0.0001). Results from VLS showed the HL treatment was the most effective at inducing lameness (6/6 goats became lame compared to HH 4/6 and LL 2/6). At 24, 48, and 72 h, VAS scores were significantly higher when comparing HL to all other treatment groups (P = 0.0003). Both behavior observers (1 and 2) reported a significant time effect (P = 0.05), with goats exhibiting more facial grimacing at 24 h post-lameness induction. From these data, an optimal dose for a repeatable lameness induction model in goats was aquired. An effective Goat Grimace Scale (GGS) was also developed to evaluate pain responses in goats.

Two New Species of &lt;i&gt;Eulohmannia&lt;/i&gt; Berlese 1910 (Acari, Oribatida, Eulohmanniidae) From the Russian Far East and Kashmir

In surveying material of the genus Eulohmannia Berlese 1910, representatives of two new species were discovered. Eulohmannia aborigensis sp. n., described based on all instars, is known only from alpine environments of the Kolyma Highlands in Magadan Oblast, Russia. It is the largest species of the genus known (length often well over 800 µm) and appears to be bisexual. Adults are unique among the known species of Eulohmannia in having a relatively long femur IV (about 2 times the length of trochanter IV), three setae on trochanter III, 14 setae on tarsus IV, and a minute tooth or spine at the base of each lateral claw. Eulohmannia juvenalis sp. n., described based on adults and a single tritonymph, is known only from forest soil in the Kashmir Valley (Kashmir). Among the known species of the genus, adults are unique in having paedomorphic legs, resulting from several specific neotenic characters. The most conspicuous is a monodactylous pretarsus on all legs and the retention of a single seta on trochanters III and IV, but several other setae are delayed or fail to be developed.

Effect of concrete slats versus rubber-covered slats on the performance, behaviour, hoof health, cleanliness of finishing beef steers and performance, cleanliness and hoof health of weanling cattle

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of concrete slats (CS) and rubber covered slats (RM) on (i) animal performance, behaviour, hoof wear, dirt scores, physiological response and carcass traits of ‘finishing’ beef steers (Experiment 1), and (ii) performance, hoof health and dirt scores of suckler-bred weanling cattle undergoing a ‘backgrounding’ period (Experiment 2). Finishing steers (n = 140, 597 kg, SD 28.0; 643 days old, SD 20.7) were blocked by live-weight, breed and age, and randomly allocated to pens of four and assigned to treatment for 120 days (d); (i) CS (n = 17 pens) or (ii) RM (n = 18 pens) at a space allowance of 2.89 m2 per animal. Finishing steers accommodated on RM had greater (P < 0.05) average daily live-weight gain (ADG) (1.15 v. 0.98 kg (SEM; 0.03)), carcass weight (414 v. 403 kg) and superior feed conversion ratio (FCR) (10.6 vs. 12.4 kg DMI/ kg live-weight gain (SEM; 0.15)) compared to those on CS. Additionally steers on RM lay down for longer, had more frequent getting up and lying down movements, lying and standing bouts (P < 0.05). Steers housed on RM had an increase in sharpness in the toe angle of the right front medial claw (P < 0.05) and left hind lateral claw (P < 0.001) and no hoof lesions were reported on either floor type. There was a floor × time (P < 0.05) interaction for dirt scores, whereby no differences existed between treatments from d 0 to 56 but from d 56 until slaughter steers housed on RM were dirtier than those on CS. Suckler-bred weanling cattle (n = 200, 315 kg, SD 18.8; 262 days old, SD 22.2) were blocked by breed, sex, age, weight and diet, and randomly allocated to pens of five assigned to one of 2 treatments for 84 d; (i) CS (n = 20 pens) or (ii) RM (n = 20 pens) at a space allowance of 2.5 m2 per animal. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of floor type on dry matter intake (DMI), ADG, FCR, cleanliness of these “backgrounding” weanling cattle and no reported incidences of hoof lesions on either floor type. In conclusion, under the conditions of these experiments, finishing steers accommodated on RM had enhanced growth and feed efficiency, exhibited lying behaviour indicative of improved comfort compared to steers on CS, and body cleanliness was reduced on the RM at slaughter; however, growth, feed efficiency, cleanliness scores and hoof health of weanling cattle were not affected by the addition of RM to CS.

Microstructure of the hoof capsule of pigmented and partial albino buffaloes.

In this study, atomic force microscopy (AFM), microtomography (MCT-2D and MCT-3D) and energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDXRF) were used to generate parameters of the microstructure of the hoof capsule of pigmented and partial albino buffaloes. Seventy-two digits of adult pigmented buffaloes and 16 of partial albino buffaloes were used and equally divided into thoracic and pelvic limbs and medial and lateral claws. Fragments of 10 mm × 10 mm of the dorsal wall, abaxial wall and pre-bulbar sole were collected. The parametric assumptions were tested using a Shapiro-Wilk test (normality). The independent t-test was used to compare the means at a 5% significance level. AFM demonstrated that the hoof surface of pigmented buffaloes presented with higher average surface roughness (Ra) and root mean square roughness (Rms) (p < 0.05) than the hoof surface of partial albino buffaloes. MCT-2D revealed that pigmented buffaloes had extra tubular keratin with a higher density than intratubular keratin. No pores were observed in the hoof capsule of the buffalo digits. MCT-3D demonstrated that pigmented buffaloes have a higher percentage of large and intermediate horn tubules than partial albino buffaloes. However, this difference was not statistically significant. Partial albino buffaloes showed a statistically higher number of horn tubules/mm2 than pigmented buffaloes (p < 0.05). EDXRF revealed a higher amount of sulphur (S) in the hoof capsule of pigmented buffaloes, and the partial albino buffaloes presented a higher number of minerals such as calcium (Ca), potassium (K), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu).

Gradual Growth of Several Claw Traits and Claw Lesions in Dairy Cows after Hoof Trimming

Several claw measurements, horn growth and wear were recorded monthly in a research farm to investigate the effect of solid concrete floor and gradual growth of these traits over 3 month after trimming. Two methods of hoof trimming were used: Standard Dutch (STD) and hollow (HOL). The experimental cows (19 primiparous and 19 multiparous) were selected (8 primiparous and 11 multiparous cows for STD and 9 primiparous and 10 multiparous cows for HOL). Information on claw traits was recorded on right lateral hind claw between November 2021 and April 2022. In addition, lesions development of interdigital dermatitis and heel erosion (IDHE) and digital dermatitis (DD) was studied in both rear feet. No differences were detected in claw traits among the trimming methods. A gradual growth of all claw traits investigated, was detected in each month (1, 2 and 3) after trimming. Lesions of IDHE developed gradually over time in both trimming methods. Development of different stages of DD was investigated 3 months after trimming methods. Classical ulcerative lesions (stage M2). Persisted in each month after trimming and did not cure effectively after caw trimming and frequent use of footbaths.

Standard measurement of the normal forelimb claw dimensions in Egyptian buffalo cows (Bubalus Bubalis) before and after functional trimming: a post-mortem study.

The aim of this study was to compare forelimb claw dimensions in buffalo cows, and to establish a reference values for functional claw trimming. Medial and lateral healthy front feet claws were evaluated from 20 young (YB) and 20 mature (MB) Egyptian buffalo cows (Bubalus bubalis). The dorsal wall length (TL), dorsal wall angle (TA), heel length (HBL), height (HBH) and width (HBW), sole (SL) and claw length (CL) and sole width (SW) were measured. Differences between YB and MB were evaluated using ANOVA test, while those between the lateral and medial claws with a paired t test. Before and after trimming, the HBL, HBW, HBH, SL and CL were significantly higher for both claws in MB, while the TA was significantly lower. Before trimming the lateral HBW and HBH were significantly higher than the medial, while the SL and CL of the medial claw were significantly higher than the lateral claw. After trimming, the lateral claw HBL was significantly higher in MB. The SW of the lateral claw was significantly higher than the medial claw in both YB and MB, and it did not change after trimming. These results can be considered as a guidance during front feet trimming in buffaloes.

Infrared Thermography Evaluation of Feet Temperature and Its Association with Claw Lengths and Anisodactylia in Purebred Sows of Three Greek Herds.

The aim of the study was to investigate the associations of lower feet temperature with claw lengths measurements in purebred sows. In total 22, 19 and 45 multiparous sows in three herds A, B and C of PIC, DANBRED and TOPIGS genetic lines respectively participated in the study. Mean parity was 2.5, 2.3 and 3.0 for sows from herds A, B and C respectively. Measurements were made during the periparturient period. Infrared temperature distribution was measured in carpus/tarsus, upper-lower metacarpi/metatarsi and phalanges (IRT1, IRT2, IRT3 and IRT4 respectively). In addition, dorsal, diagonal, heel–sole and dew claw lengths of medial and lateral claw were measured and the difference in dorsal claw length between medial and lateral claw (anisodactylia) was calculated in all four feet. Differences between herds regarding IRT and claw length measurements were analyzed with one-way ANOVA with herds as a fixed factor. Correlations between IRT and claw length measurements in each foot including data from all herds were evaluated using the Pearson’s correlation test. Maximum IRT1 to 4 in almost all rear feet, differed significantly between herds, being lower in sows of herd C than A and B (p < 0.05). Claw lengths of all feet were lower in herd C than those of A and B (p < 0.05). Anisodactylia, differed significantly only in rear feet between herds been higher in herd A than C and B (p < 0.05). In all sows, claw lengths and rear feet anisodactylia were positively correlated with maximum IRT1 to IRT4 (p < 0.05). According to the results, IRT temperature distribution of lower feet of purebred sows of different genetic lines were positive correlated with claw lengths measurements and anisodactylia. Collectively, measuring IRT temperature of lower feet of sows with mobile IRT device could be used as an additional tool towards monitoring feet and claw health.

PREVALENCE OF LAMENESS AND ASSOCIATED FOOT LESIONS IN SAHIWAL DAIRY COWS

Lameness is 3rd most prevalent disease after mastitis and infertility, in the dairy industry today and is an important welfare issue causing significant impact on dairy economics. Lameness leads to involuntary culling of lactating dairy cattle due to significant effect on production and reproduction.Mostly lameness occurs due to foot lesions irrespective of breed, management and of animal. Two hundred and four Sahiwal dairy cows were evaluated for lameness and associated claw lesionsin the study from local dairy farms of Punjab. Clinical lameness (lameness score 2 &amp; 3) was evident in 6 per cent of animals. After lameness scoring, each animal was restrained in chute and hooves were examined before and after paring 1 mm of hoof tissue from weight bearing surface. Seventy three per cent animals had at least one lesion in their hooves. On animal level, under run soles (45%) were found to be most prevalent claw lesion followed by white line lesions (29%), overgrown soles (7%), cork screw hooves (5%), sole avulsions (5%), sole hemorrhages (3%), heel erosions (3%), double soles (2%) and wall cracks (1%). At claw level, prevalence of lesions was 35.3 per cent, among which under run soles were the most prevalent lesion (19.3%) followed by white line lesions (16.3%), overgrown soles (2.82%), cork screw hooves (1.84%), sole avulsions (1.47%), sole hemorrhages (1.04%), heel horn erosions (0.61%), double soles (0.49%), wall cracks (0.25%) and toe hemorrhages (0.12%). Lactation length and parity had no effect on lameness. Comparatively more lesions were seen in hind limb hooves (56.8%) as compared to forelimb hooves (43.2%). Fore lateral and hind medial claws had more lesions (58.8% and 76.47%, respectively) as compared to contralateral claws 52.9% and 70.5%, respectively). Overall, a low prevalence of clinical lameness was seen in Sahiwal dairy cows.

A history of lameness and low body condition score is associated with reduced digital cushion volume, measured by magnetic resonance imaging, in dairy cattle

Claw horn lesions (CHL) are the result of a failing of the functional anatomy of the hoof in dairy cows. The digital cushion is understood to be a vital structure in the prevention of CHL. Claw horn lesions have previously been shown to lead to pathological change to the pedal bone; however, their effects on the digital cushion are unknown. The primary aim of this study was to examine associations between the history of CHL through an animal's life and the structure of the digital cushion at slaughter using magnetic resonance imaging. The retrospective cohort study resulted in the scanning of 102 pairs of hindfeet, collected from adult Holstein dairy cows culled from a research herd, using a 3-Tesla research-grade magnetic resonance imaging scanner. Volume and fat measurements were calculated for each digital cushion within each claw from a modified Dixon Quant sequence. Animal-level variables were constructed around the animals' lactating lifetime, with lameness scores and body condition score collected at least every 2 wk. The combined volume of digital cushion in the lateral claws was used as the outcome variable in multivariable linear models. The volume of the digital cushion was negatively associated with the number of lameness events or CHL recorded. Furthermore, animals with body condition score >3, culled later in lactation, or of a greater body weight were more likely to have a higher volume of digital cushion in the lateral claws. We propose that the observations made in the current study are the effects of a range of factors broadly associated with genetic, developmental, and disease-related inputs. Our understanding of how we can select for genetically more robust animals and how we can precondition the hoof before first calving needs to be improved to reduce the risk of future CHL in adult dairy cattle. Furthermore, understanding optimal treatment regimens and their effect on hoof anatomy may reduce the recurrence of CHL in the current lactation and future lactations.

Role of legs and foot adhesion in salticid spiders jumping from smooth surfaces

Many spiders and insects can perform rapid jumps from smooth plant surfaces. Here, we investigate how jumping spiders (Pseudeuophrys lanigera and Sitticus pubescens) avoid slipping when accelerating. Both species differed in the relative contribution of leg pairs to the jump. P. lanigera accelerated mainly with their long third legs, whereas their short fourth legs detached earlier. In contrast, S. pubescens accelerated mainly with their long fourth legs, and their short third legs detached earlier. Because of the different orientation (fourth-leg tip pointing backward, third-leg tip pointing forward), the fourth-leg tarsus pushed, whereas the third-leg tarsus pulled. High-speed video recordings showed that pushing and pulling was achieved by different attachment structures. In P. lanigera, third-leg feet made surface contact with setae on their distal or lateral claw tuft, whereas fourth-leg feet engaged the proximal claw tuft, and the distal tuft was raised off the ground. S. pubescens showed the same division of labour between proximal and distal claw tuft for pushing and pulling, but the claw tuft contact lasted longer and was more visible in the fourth than in the third legs. Experimental ablation of claw tufts caused accelerating spiders to slip, confirming that adhesion is essential for jumps from smooth substrates.