Prevalence Of Foot Lesions Research Articles

Caracterização de lesões em cascos de ovinos (Ovis aries) no Estado do Tocantins, Brasil

The aim of this study was to characterize and establish the prevalence of foot lesions and stages of footrot in sheep flocks in the State of Tocantins, Brazil, during dry and moist seasons. A total of 339 sheep (Ovis aries) were examined during the period of September 2014 to May of 2015. Procedures for animal examination and age estimation were performed. All animals were divided in three groups: G1, G2 and G3 using the Egerton's modified score system for footrot. Foot lesions were classified as: double sole (DS), overgrowth (OG), white line disease (WLD), moderate interdigital dermatitis (MID), severe interdigital dermatitis (SID), horizontal crack (HC) and other injuries (OI). No significant difference was observed when comparing the same group in different periods, however there was difference between groups in the same period. In dry and moist season, G1 was greater than G2 and G3. The most prevalent lesion per limb observed in dry and moist season was OG. This difference was also observed for DS, OG+WLD, OG+MID, OG+SID, OG+HC and OI. The only lesion that was more prevalent in dry season when compared to moist season was OG+DS. This exploratory study provides key insight into the prevalence of foot lesions of sheep in two distinct seasons, and the occurrence of concomitant lesions. Animals of all ages were classified as moderate to severe footrot according to the modified Egerton scoring system, during moist season.

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.

A psycho-educational intervention for the prevention of foot lesions in people with diabetes: Report of a clinical audit

Background and aimsMotivational approaches may help target the psychological aspects of self-care, improving adherence to good practices in individuals with diabetes. The present study was designed to test the feasibility and effectiveness of a psychoeducational program for diabetic foot prevention or disease progression. Methods and resultsEighty-one subjects with or at high risk of foot ulcer development entered a program consisting of six 120-min group sessions, conducted by a podiatrist and an expert in psycho-education. Occurrence/recurrence of lesions in a 3-year follow-up was compared with 172 cases with similar risk score (IWGDF score 2019), receiving education at any 6-month podiatric visit (standard-of-care). Motivation to self-care and competence were assessed by specific questionnaires. The experimental program increased adherence to follow-up. The prevalence of foot lesions was higher at baseline and was remarkably reduced at any time-point in patients attending the psychoeducational program, whereas it remained relatively stable in standard care (around 10% of cases). The cumulative incidence was lower in the psychoeducational program (13.2, 95% CI 9.2–18.0 per 100 patient-year vs. 26.1; 95% CI 22.1–30.2); time to new lesions was increased (P = 0.022). Cox proportional hazard analysis confirmed an overall reduction of lesions in the psychoeducational program (HR 0.34; 95% CI 0.18–0.66; P < 0.001), after adjustment for confounders. The program was associated with significant changes in competence and motivation to self-care. ConclusionA psychoeducational approach is both feasible and effective to support patients with diabetes at high risk of first or recurrent foot lesions, increasing their adherence to self-care practices.

Prevalence of foot lesions in Québec dairy herds from 2015 to 2018

Our first objective was to estimate the prevalence of foot lesions by type of milking system in dairy cows examined during regular hoof-trimming sessions between 2015 and 2018 in Québec dairy herds. A secondary objective was to describe the effect of day-to-day variation, cow, and herd characteristics on the prevalence of foot lesions. Data included 52,427 observations (on a cow during a specific trimming session) performed on 28,470 cows (≥2 yr old) from 355 herds. Only observations from trimming sessions in which ≥90% of the lactating herd was trimmed were considered. Lesions were recorded at the hoof level by 17 trained hoof trimmers between March 23, 2015, and July 10, 2018, using a computerized recording system. Hoof-level information was then matched with cow information and centralized at the Eastern Canada Dairy Herd Improvement. Foot lesions were classified into 6 categories: infectious, white line disease, heel erosion, ulcers, hemorrhages, and any type of foot lesions. Prevalence of each outcome was quantified using the marginal predicted mean probability estimated from a null generalized linear mixed model with a logit link, and accounted for clustering of observations by cow and by herd. Variance was partitioned to assess the variation in the probability of the outcomes attributable to each level of the data structure (day of exam, cow, and herd). Prevalence of a given foot lesion as function of milking system and of various explanatory variables (mean herd size, herd average daily production, breed of the cow, age of the cow at trimming, and year of the visit) was then estimated using a generalized linear mixed model. At least 1 foot lesion was observed in 29% of cows examined during regular trimming sessions in Québec from 2015 to 2018. Prevalence for any type of lesion was 27% for pipeline, 38% for robotic milking, and 41% for milking parlors. The highest prevalence of infectious lesions (mainly digital dermatitis) was observed in milking parlors and robotic systems, while the most prevalent lesions in pipeline were hemorrhages. Herd-level factors explained most of the disease probability for infectious diseases, heel erosion, and hemorrhages. Therefore, control of these diseases should be based on applying best herd-management practices. On the other hand, probabilities of white line disease and sole ulcers were mainly determined by cow-level characteristics.

İran'ın Kuzeybatısında Kesilen Büyükbaş Hayvanlarda Ayak Lezyonlarının Görülme Sıklığı

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of foot lesions in cattle slaughtered in the northwest of Iran. This study was performed on lower limbs of slaughtered cattle in four seasons of 2018-19. The feet of 400 cattle were divided into various zones to differentiate the lesions. The associations between gender and season with the lesions were assessed using the chi-square method and the results were presented as a percentage. P<0.05 was considered significant. The association between gender and season with the lesions was statistically significant (P<0.01). Lesions were observed in 61.5% of cattle and 78.5% of them were male. The lesions were more prevalent in autumn and winter (35.4%). 27% of total lesions were related to the forelimbs and 73% of them were related to the hindlimbs. Double sole and subclinical laminitis were the most frequent lesions of the limbs followed by sole, toe, and heel ulcers, white line disease, hoof cracks, interdigital hyperplasia, and interdigital necrobacillosis. Since a high percentage of slaughtered cattle in northwest Iran had at least one lesion in their feet, especially in the autumn and winter, it seems that proper management of herds is necessary to eliminate predisposing factors and improve livestock health.

The impact of foot lesions in dairy cows on greenhouse gas emissions of milk production

The dairy sector is an important contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Foot lesions in dairy cows result in production losses and, therefore, might increase GHG emissions per kg milk. The objective of this study was to estimate the impact of foot lesions in dairy cows on GHG emissions. A dynamic stochastic simulation model was developed to estimate dynamics of digital dermatitis (DD), white line disease (WLD), and sole ulcer (SU), and associated production losses within one lactation. Production losses included were reduced milk production, prolonged calving interval (CI), and culling. Subsequently, a life cycle assessment was performed to estimate the impact of foot lesions on GHG emissions per ton of fat-and-protein-corrected milk (kg CO2e/t FPCM). GHG emissions increased on average by 14 (1.5%) kg CO2e/t FPCM per case of foot lesions (i.e. DD, WLD, and SU combined), ranging from 17 kg CO2e/t FPCM in parity 1, to 7 kg CO2e/t FPCM in parity 5. Emissions of GHGs increased on average by 4 (0.4%) kg CO2e/t FPCM per case of DD, by 39 (4.3%) kg CO2e/t FPCM per case of WLD, and by 33 (3.6%) kg CO2e/t FPCM per case of SU. A prolonged CI explained the majority of the increase in GHG emissions for cows with DD, whereas culling was most important for cows with WLD or SU. DD had the lowest impact on GHG emissions, but the highest prevalence, and, therefore, contributed most to the average impact of foot lesions. This study showed that preventing different types of foot lesions can reduce GHG emissions from the dairy sector. The increasing attention for global warming and possible policies to reduce GHG emissions from agriculture might give dairy farmers another incentive to prevent foot lesions. The impact of foot lesions on GHG emissions, however, can vary among dairy farms, because of differences in prevalence of foot lesions and associated production losses, and in farm management.

AB0796 Efficiency of customized foot insoles in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis

BackgroundThe prevalence of foot lesions in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients is extremely high [1]. The defeat of the joints of the foot is often observed at the stage of diagnosis....

Standing low‐field magnetic resonance imaging in horses with chronic foot pain

Conventional imaging modalities can diagnose the source of foot pain in most cases, but have limitations in some horses, which can be overcome by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, there are no reports of the MRI appearance and prevalence of foot lesions of a large series of horses with chronic foot lameness. In the present study, 79 horses with unilateral or bilateral forelimb lameness because of chronic foot pain underwent standing low-field MRI to make a definitive diagnosis. Of the 79 horses, 74 (94%) had alterations in >1 structure in the lame or lamest foot. Navicular bone lesions occurred most frequently (78%) followed by navicular bursitis (57%), deep digital flexor tendonopathies (54%) and collateral desmopathy of the distal interphalangeal joint (39%). Effusion of the distal interphalangeal joint was also a frequent finding (53%). Low-field MRI in a standing patient can detect many lesions of the equine foot associated with chronic lameness without the need for general anaesthesia.

Foot rot and other foot diseases of goat and sheep in the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil

This paper reports the occurrence and epidemiology of outbreaks of foot rot and other foot diseases in goats and sheep in the semiarid region of Paraíba, northeastern Brazil. Four farms were inspected for the presence of foot lesion in sheep and goats and for environmental conditions, general hygiene, pastures, and disease control measures. The prevalence of foot lesions was 19.41% (170/876) in sheep and 17.99% (52/289) in goats, ranging between 5.77% and 33.85% in different farms. Foot rot was the most common disease, affecting 12.1% of the animals examined (141/1165), but with significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) prevalence in sheep (13.69%) than in goats (7.27%). The frequency of malignant foot rot was also significantly lower (p&lt;0.05) in goats (9.53%) than in the sheep (40.83%). On one farm, Dorper sheep showed significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) prevalence of foot rot (17.5%) than Santa Inês sheep (6.79%), and the number of digits affected was also higher in the former. Dichelobacter nodosus and Fusobacterium necrophorum were isolated from cases of foot rot. White line disease was found in 3.95% of the animals, sole ulcers in 1.29%, foot abscess in 1.03% and hoof overgrowth in 0.5%. The high rainfall at the time of occurrence, grazing in wetlands, clay soils with poor drainage, presence of numerous stony grounds, closure of the flocks in pens at night, and introduction of affected animals were considered predisposing factors for the occurrence of foot diseases.

A cross-sectional study of prevalence and risk factors for foot lesions and abnormal posture in lactating sows on commercial farms in England

AbstractA cross-sectional study of lactating sows in 71 commercial pig herds in England was carried out to estimate the prevalence of foot lesions and abnormal posture and investigate the associated risks. Observational data were collected on the standing posture, lesions on the hind left foot, and the pen the sow was housed in for 233 sows. The prevalence of foot lesions was 76.8% and 10.8% of lactating sows had abnormal posture. Sows housed on slatted floors during pregnancy had an associated increased risk of heel flaps but a reduced risk of toe erosion, compared with sows housed on solid concrete floors with bedding during pregnancy. There was an increased risk of abnormal posture in lactating sows housed on slatted floors during pregnancy compared with those housed on solid concrete floors with straw bedding during pregnancy. In addition, there was an increased risk of abnormal posture in lactating sows with wounds on the limbs and erosions on the toe and the heel/sole. The positive association between abnormal posture and foot lesions suggests that these lesions might be painful. Housing sows on solid floors during pregnancy might reduce the risk of abnormal posture, and certain foot lesions, in sows during lactation. However, posture is a less sensitive measure of lameness than gait, and the nature of the causal relationship between foot lesions and lameness requires further investigation.

Classification and Prevalence of Foot Lesions in Captive Flamingos (Phoenicopteridae)

Foot lesions can compromise the health and welfare of captive birds. In this study, we estimated the prevalence of foot lesions in captive flamingos (Phoenicopteridae). The study was based on photos of 1,495 pairs of foot soles from 854 flamingos in 18 European and two Texan (USA) zoological collections. Methodology for evaluating flamingo feet lesions was developed for this project because no suitable method had been reported in the literature. Four types of foot lesions were identified: hyperkeratoses, fissures, nodular lesions, and papillomatous growths. Seven areas on each foot received a severity score from 0 to 2 for each type of lesion (0 = no lesion, 1 = mild to moderate lesion, 2 = severe lesion). The prevalence of birds with lesions (scores 1 or 2) were 100%, 87%, 17%, and 46% for hyperkeratosis, fissures, nodular lesions, and papillomatous growths, respectively. Birds with severe lesions (score 2) constituted 67%, 46%, 4%, and 12% for hyperkeratosis, fissures, nodular lesions, and papillomatous growths, respectively. Hyperkeratosis and nodular lesions were most prevalent on the base of the foot and the proximal portion of the digits, likely reflecting those areas bearing the most weight. The second and fourth digits were most affected with fissures and papillomatous lesions; these areas of the foot appear to be where the most flexion occurs during ambulation. The study demonstrates that foot lesions are highly prevalent and widely distributed in the study population, indicating that they are an extensive problem in captive flamingos.

A cross-sectional study of the prevalence of foot lesions in post-weaning pigs and risks associated with floor type on commercial farms in England

We carried out a cross-sectional study during 2003 and 2004 to establish the prevalence and risk factors associated with floor type for commonly observed foot lesions in pigs aged 6, 8 and 14 weeks. The overall prevalence of foot lesions was 39.6% in 2283 pigs from 90 representative pig farms in England. The most prevalent lesions were heel/sole bruising (7.1%), heel/sole erosion (10.8%), heel flaps (8.4%) and toe erosion (11.6%). Pigs were kept on either solid (41%), partly slatted (28%) or fully slatted (31%) floors. Of the 104 pens with a solid floor, 26% of pens were outside with straw bedding on a soil base, 33% were indoors with deep bedding on solid concrete, 25% were partly deeply bedded on solid concrete and 16% were sparsely bedded on solid concrete. Only six of the pens with partly slatted floors were bedded.Multilevel logistic-regression models were built using data from 100 farms to examine the risks for individual foot lesions with prevalences >5%. The prevalence of toe erosions was positively associated with deep bedding, whereas deep bedding and soil floors were negatively associated with the prevalence of heel/sole erosions. Heel flaps and heel/sole bruising were both associated with slatted floors, possibly indicating a common aetiology. The greatest reduction in prevalence of all these lesions, from AFp calculations, would be achieved by moving pigs from slatted floors onto solid floors.

Herd- and Cow-Level Prevalence of Foot Lesions in Ontario Dairy Cattle

The objectives of this cross-sectional study were to determine herd-level and cow-level prevalence estimates for 11 foot lesions in Ontario dairy cattle. Foot lesions were recorded by 5 hoof trimmers on 13,530 cows in 204 Ontario dairy herds from March 2004 to May 2005. Significant differences existed between free-stall and tie-stall housing. In free-stall housing systems, 46.4% of cows had a foot lesion, compared with 25.7% of cows in tie-stall barns. Digital dermatitis was the most common lesion in tie stalls, occurring in 9.3% of cows and 69.7% of the herds, whereas in free-stall herds, 22.7% of cows and 96.7% of the herds were affected. The most common hoof horn lesions were hemorrhages and ulcers, at 7.7 and 4.7% in tie-stall housing and 11.0 and 9.2% in free-stall housing, respectively. Foot blocks were used to treat 2.2% of cows in free stalls and 0.3% in tie stalls. Intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 9.5 to 17.3 for hoof horn lesions and 28.0 to 38.7 for infectious lesions. In summary, foot lesions diagnosed at the time of hoof trimming are common in Ontario, and appropriate treatment for hoof horn lesions is low.

Prevalence of foot lesions in Danish Holstein cows

In a cross-sectional study of 6240 Danish Holstein cows in 55 herds using loose-housing systems, sole haemorrhages and heel horn erosions occurred frequently in almost all the herds. Digital dermatitis...

Factores asociados a la presentación de cojeras en 50 rebaños lecheros de la X Región, Chile

SUMMARY The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors related to the prevalence of foot lesions in 50 dairy farms in three provinces (Valdivia, Osorno and Llanquihue) of the Xth Region, Chile. Each farm was visited once between April and July, 2004. During each visit, all lactating cows were observed during locomotion. In those cows showing a degree of lameness, all four feet were examined. The degree of lameness was scored in scale of 1 (slightly lame) to 4 (very lame). Data were recorded in an individual recording sheet for each cow. All the facilities and paddocks where the cows were kept were inspected during each visit. A questionnaire was handed to the manager or the owner of the farm. All the data recorded and the answers to the questionnaire were introduced in an Excel spread sheet as numerical variables and analyzed using the statistical program SPSS 8.0. Risk factors for the four more prevalent causes of lameness were determined using a logistic regression model. The associated factors for an increase of the prevalence in the dairy herds were determined with a multivariable linear regression model. A total of 7501 dairy cows were observed, with 641 of them being diagnosed with some degree of lameness. Cows with three or more lactations were 3.8 times more likely to develop chronic lesions of the hooves and cows with two lactations were 2 times more likely to develop overgrowth of the sole, compared with other lactations. German Red-pied cows were 1.7 times more likely to have white line lesions and 2 times more wall lesions than other breeds. Three risk factors related to lameness were identified: i) changing the diet 25 days prior to calving vs changing the diet nearer to calving date or not changing the diet, ii) concrete roads vs gravel and mud roads, iii) the absence of a footbath versus the presence of a footbath.

A Study of the Prevalence and Risk Factors of Foot Problems in a Population of Diabetic Patients in Cameroon

Foot problems are common in diabetic patients and are one of the most expensive chronic complications to treat. The authors sought to determine the prevalence and risk factors of the diabetic foot in a clinic population. In this cross-sectional study of 300 diabetic patients, the authors reviewed records, carried out an interview, and performed a meticulous foot examination with assessment of neuropathy (monofilaments and tuning fork) and ischemia (pulses). Foot lesions were classified according to Wagner grades. The prevalence of foot lesions was 13.0% (inpatients 25.6% and outpatients 11.1%). Diabetic neuropathy assessed using monofilaments was found in 81 patients (27.3%) (monofilaments). The prevalence of ischemia was 21.3% and deformity was 17.3%, whereas 37 patients (12.3%) had a previous history of foot lesions. Foot examination was done in 14.3% of patients, and 47% had a risky nail-trimming habit, whereas 22% wore ill-fitting shoes. The prevalence of diabetic foot lesions is high, and known risk factors are significantly present, especially poor foot care.

Foot lesions in finishing pigs and their associations with the type of floor

The associations between individual foot lesions and different types of floor were investigated in 4038 finishing pigs on 21 units. The overall prevalence of foot lesions was 93.8 per cent...

Prevalence of lesions and body condition scores among female swine at slaughter

Objective To determine prevalence of foot lesions, dermatitis, shoulder lesions, mammary gland abnormalities, and visceral lesions, and body condition scores among culled female swine at slaughter. Design Observational study. Animals Culled gilts and sows killed during a 1-week period at a Midwest slaughterhouse. Procedure Carcasses were examined, and lesions were recorded. Body condition was scored on the basis of standard criteria. Results 58.9% (1,029/1,747) of the carcasses had foot lesions, 67.3% (1,178/1,751) had dermatitis, and 4.6% (80/1,751) had shoulder lesions. Body condition score was significantly associated with detection of dermatitis and shoulder lesions. Mean ± SE number of teats (n = 1,432 carcasses) was 13.86 ± 0.02. Mean numbers of normal-appearing teats in the left and right mammary chains were 6.57 ± 0.02 and 6.58 ± 0.02, respectively. Feet from 48% (688/1,433) of the carcasses were condemned. Visceral lesions were found in 48.8% (624/1,278) of the carcasses; of the carcasses with lesions, 412 (66%) had liver spots, and 268 (42.9%) had pneumonia. Clinical Implications Lesions that potentially could have adversely affected production were found in a large percentage of culled gilts and sows at slaughter. Knowledge of lesions commonly found at slaughter may help direct changes in herd health programs. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 1999;214:525–528)