Routine Trimming Research Articles

Changes in prevalence of, and risk factors for, lameness in random samples of English sheep flocks: 2004–2013

The aims of this study were to update the prevalence of lameness in sheep in England and identify novel risk factors. A total of 1260 sheep farmers responded to a postal survey. The survey captured detailed information on the period prevalence of lameness from May 2012–April 2013 and the prevalence and farmer naming of lesions attributable to interdigital dermatitis (ID), severe footrot (SFR), contagious ovine digital dermatitis (CODD) and shelly hoof (SH), management and treatment of lameness, and farm and flock details.The global mean period prevalence of lameness fell between 2004 and 2013 from 10.6% to 4.9% and the geometric mean period prevalence of lameness fell from 5.4% (95% CL: 4.7%–6.0%) to 3.5% (95% CI: 3.3%–3.7%). In 2013, more farmers were using vaccination and antibiotic treatment for ID and SFR and fewer farmers were using foot trimming as a routine or therapeutic treatment than in 2004.Two over-dispersed Poisson regression models were developed with the outcome the period prevalence of lameness, one investigated associations with farmer estimates of prevalence of the four foot lesions and one investigated associations with management practices to control and treat lameness and footrot. A prevalence of ID>10%, SFR>2.5% and CODD>2.5% were associated with a higher prevalence of lameness compared with those lesions being absent, however, the prevalence of SH was not associated with a change in risk of lameness.A key novel management risk associated with higher prevalence of lameness was the rate of feet bleeding/100 ewes trimmed/year. In addition, vaccination of ewes once per year and selecting breeding replacements from never-lame ewes were associated with a decreased risk of lameness. Other factors associated with a lower risk of lameness for the first time in a random sample of farmers and a full risk model were: recognising lameness in sheep at locomotion score 1 compared with higher scores, treatment of the first lame sheep in a group compared with waiting until >5 were lame, treatment of lame sheep within 3 days, ease of catching lame sheep and quarantine for >21 days. A previously known factor associated with a lower risk of lameness was footbathing to prevent ID. We conclude that the prevalence of lameness in sheep in England has fallen and that this might be in part because of increased uptake of managements recently reported as beneficial to control lameness. Routine foot trimming should be avoided.

Lameness Detection in Dairy Cows: Part 1. How to Distinguish between Non-Lame and Lame Cows Based on Differences in Locomotion or Behavior.

Simple SummaryScoring cattle for lameness based on changes in locomotion or behavior is essential for farmers to find and treat their lame animals. This review discusses the normal locomotion of cows in order to define abnormal locomotion due to lameness. It furthermore provides an overview of various relevant visual locomotion scoring systems that are currently being used as well as practical considerations when assessing lameness on a commercial farm.Due to its detrimental effect on cow welfare, health and production, lameness in dairy cows has received quite a lot of attention in the last few decades—not only in terms of prevention and treatment of lameness but also in terms of detection, as early treatment might decrease the number of severely lame cows in the herds as well as decrease the direct and indirect costs associated with lameness cases. Generally, lame cows are detected by the herdsman, hoof trimmer or veterinarian based on abnormal locomotion, abnormal behavior or the presence of hoof lesions during routine trimming. In the scientific literature, several guidelines are proposed to detect lame cows based on visual interpretation of the locomotion of individual cows (i.e., locomotion scoring systems). Researchers and the industry have focused on automating such observations to support the farmer in finding the lame cows in their herds, but until now, such automated systems have rarely been used in commercial herds. This review starts with the description of normal locomotion of cows in order to define ‘abnormal’ locomotion caused by lameness. Cow locomotion (gait and posture) and behavioral features that change when a cow becomes lame are described and linked to the existing visual scoring systems. In addition, the lack of information of normal cow gait and a clear description of ‘abnormal’ gait are discussed. Finally, the different set-ups used during locomotion scoring and their influence on the resulting locomotion scores are evaluated.

Claw length recommendations for dairy cow foot trimming

The aim was to describe variation in length of the dorsal hoof wall in contact with the dermis for cows on a single farm, and hence, derive minimum appropriate claw...

Effect of early lactation foot trimming in lame and non-lame dairy heifers: a randomised controlled trial

Foot trimming is a common management intervention in prevention of lameness in dairy cattle. Despite this, there is surprisingly limited experimental evidence on its efficacy, especially in regard to primiparous...

Subclinical laminitis in captive female Esfahan mouflon (Ovis orientalis isphahanica): gross and light microscopic pathology

The herd consisted of 25 captive Esfahan mouflons and theiroffspring. The mouflons were wild and originated from theirnatural habitat in Esfahan province. They had been kept in smallenclosures with rough concrete floors. The diet consisted ofalfalfa hay, corn silage, and a commercial concentrate. Themouflons showed severe claw overgrowth and detectablesubclinical form of laminitis such as sole hemorrhage and yellowwax discoloration. Both prevalences were unexpectedly high(73.9%). The majority of foot lesion samples included in thisstudy were taken from mouflons examined in the course ofveterinary practice over a period of 4 months in a farm for clinicaland histopathological purposes. Pseudocarcinomatous epidermalhyperplasia which are characterized by extreme proliferation ofepithelial cells with large amounts of whorl-like structures thatshow no specific pattern, like dyskeratosis or central keratinization.Our findings were supportive of researchers who havesuggested that subclinical laminitis is a multifactorial diseasethat involves a complex interaction between nutrition andmanagement. Feeding management, proper design of facilitiesand routine trimming seems to prevent subclinical laminitis ispredisposed for more serious lesions in Esfahan mouflons.

Dynamics and impact of footrot and climate on hoof horn length in 50 ewes from one farm over a period of 10 months

Footrot, including interdigital dermatitis, is caused by Dichelobacter nodosus cause the majority of lameness in sheep in the UK. Lame sheep often have overgrown hoof horn but recent evidence has indicated that trimming overgrown hoof horn increases recovery time, and that routine foot trimming of the flock does not reduce the prevalence or incidence of lameness. The objectives of this study were to investigate the temporal associations between hoof horn length, footrot and climate. Fifty multiparous ewes were monitored for 10 months. On eight occasions hoof horn length, foot lesions and body condition were recorded. At the first examination, ewes were assigned to one of two treatment groups. All ewes that became lame with footrot were treated at one time point per week, either by trimming hoof horn and applying a topical antibiotic spray or with parenteral antibiotic and topical antibiotic spray.Hoof horn length in ewes at pasture varied over the year and was associated with temperature and rainfall. New cases of footrot occurred all year round and were associated with prior prevalence of footrot in the flock and prior temperature and rainfall. Overgrown hoof horn did not precede lameness but occurred once the sheep were lame. One year of prompt treatment of footrot reduced the range in hoof horn length in the sheep in both treatment groups. At the end of the study the hoof lengths of ewes in both groups were not significantly different. On this farm, hoof horn length was self-regulating in both non-lame and treated lame sheep whether trimming was part of the treatment or not and there would have been no benefit from routine foot trimming of this flock.

FOOTPAD HORN HYPERTROPHY AND VERTICAL FISSURE ACCOMPANIED BY WHITE LINE DISEASE 2 IN CASE OF CONCURRENT DEEP DIGITAL SEPSIS IN A CULLING COW

A5.2 year-old Holstein cow was presented with lameness andabnormal weight bearing in a slaughterhouse. Widening of theperiople and swelling of the heel area in the lateral claw was morepermanent than the medial claw. Vertical fissure (VF) involvingthe coronary band to the middle of the dorsal wall of the medialhind claw was observed. It was also extended to the bearingsurface in the inner surface of the claw wall. White line disease 2(WLD2) was seen in the length of VF on the bearing surface. Thehorn of the bulb apex of the lateral hind claw was hypertrophic.There was a groove in the footpad between the apex and base ofthe bulb too. Grosspathologically, the digital bones showed awide range of bone changes such as new bone formation, pedalosteolysis and bony ankylosis. The hind leg was amputated at thetarsus immediately after slaughter. The lower limbs of lame cowswere examined and the type and distribution of digital lesionswere tabulated. An x-ray machine was used in this study to takeradiographic images. The radiographic images taken from theinvolved digits of the affected case depicted a quite wide rangeof radiographic signs. After the first review of the X-ray film,samples were selected for further procedures throughputrefaction. Laminitis may have affected this case at someprevious time. Routine trimming seems to have prevented thepremature culling in the cows with claw lesion.

PATHOMORPHOLOGICAL FINDINGS OF WHITE LINE DISEASE WITH DIGITAL AND INNER ORGAN INFECTIONS IN CULLING DAIRY COWS

The aim of this study was to investigate pathomorph ological findings of white line disease in culling lame cows, with special reference to the lesions and the ir distribution. The most prominent pathomorphologic findings of the claw with white line disease includ ed extensor process entheseophyte (75.0%), flexor t uberisity entheseophyte (37.5%) and abaxial margin bone absorption (68.7%). Six out of the total of WLD3 cases h ad osteolysis of flexor tuberisity (66.7%). In WLD3 ca ses, three out of the total of 9 cases showed septi c osteoarthritis in distal inter-phalangeal joint (33 .3%). Ankylosis was observed only in one case between P3 bone and distal sesamoid bone. One of case with WLD2 showed severe bone sequestration of P3 bone. Laminitis may have affected virtually this case at some previous time. Routine trimming and scoring of locomotion seems to provide suitable parameters for early diagnosis and prevention of premature culling in dairy cows.

Detecting hoof lesions in dairy cattle using a hand-held thermometer

Developing optimal approaches in the treatment and prevention of lameness is a significant challenge for the dairy industry. A range of clinical treatments are currently advocated for different causes of...

Book Review

Evaluation of the effect of changes in the horses’ feet after routine trimming and shoeing on gait at the trot is needed improve routine foot care. Evaluate changes in foot conformation and gait after routine farriery. Correlate alterations in a horse's gait before and after routine hoof trimming and shoe application. Fifteen horses received routine hoof trimming and horseshoe application. Dorsal and lateral photographs of the right and left front feet and inertial gait analysis at the trot were completed before and after trimming and shoeing. Measurements were made of hoof photos using a calibrated system. Gait and hoof measurements before and after farrier intervention were compared. Hoof measurement changes in relation to gait changes before and after farrier intervention were analyzed for significant associations. Mean medial to lateral coronary band length (P = .02), lateral (P = .01) and medial (P = .03) coronary band height, dorsal hoof wall length (P = .0004), heel length (P = .0002), heel overhang length (P < .0001), palmar coronary band height (P = .01), and hoof angle (P = .03) in each foot were significantly different pre- and post- farrier intervention. There was no statistical difference in the total head and pelvis movement before and after farrier intervention. The difference in the pooled mean of heel length before and after intervention was correlated with difference in maximum head movement (P = .03.) Pooled mean differences for dorsal hoof wall length (P = .04), heel length and heel overhang length (P = .006) before and after trimming were correlated with differences in maximum pelvis movement. Pooled mean differences for heel length (P = .005) and hoof angle (P = .04) before and after trimming were correlated with difference in minimum pelvis movement. Change in hoof conformation due to routine hoof trimming and shoeing does not change the gait in non–lame horses; however, some hoof characteristics measurements are correlated with immediate change in stride parameters. Use of hoof measurements may assist farriers and veterinarians in applying routine hoof care. Further studies could help determine what hoof conformation changes may be helpful to treat lame horses.

Reduced test-day milk fat percentage in cows diagnosed with claw horn lesions during routine claw trimming

The objective of this study was to investigate whether cows diagnosed with claw horn lesions during routine claw trimming had an altered milk fat percentage on test days preceding the diagnosis, compared with cows without such lesions. Data included date of trimming, cow number, type, and location of claw lesions recorded by a professional claw trimmer during routine trimming sessions on 11 commercial dairy farms, and monthly test-day data. Recordings from 4,381 cows were included in the analysis. Three hundred seventy-two (8.5%) cows were diagnosed with at least one claw lesion. One hundred ninety-five (4.4%) cows were classified as cases of laminitis and 169 cows (3.9%) were classified as cases of infectious claw diseases. Average test-day milk fat percentage was estimated from monthly test-day data using a mixed model with a random farm effect and a marginal effect for repeated measurements. Estimated milk fat percentage of cows classified as cases of laminitis on the day of claw trimming was 0.17 and 0.22% less than that of cows with either no claw lesion or those with an infectious claw disease, on test days occurring 2 and 5 mo before claw trimming, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, decreased test-day milk fat percentage in dairy cows diagnosed with claw horn lesions has not been described. Because decreased milk fat and claw horn lesions have both been associated with subacute ruminal acidosis, it is plausible that subacute ruminal acidosis played a role in the association we found. A prospective study with a greater frequency of claw examinations would be necessary to help clarify these associations. Our findings indicate that test-day milk fat might be useful as a tool for monitoring cows and farms at risk for claw horn lesions.

Foot Rot- An Emerging Issue in Sheep Husbandry

Foot rot is a highly contagious and economically important disease of the feet of ruminants especially sheep and goats and is characterized by the separation of keratinous hoof from the underlying epidermal tissue resulting in severe lameness, loss of body condition and reduced wool production. Although foot rot infection has been reported in cattle, horses, pigs, deer and mouflon, the infection is specific to sheep and goats. The main predisposing factors to foot rot infection include muddy pastures, frequent rains and injury to feet. Other factors include lowland farms, high stocking densities, winter housing, routine foot trimming, and inadequate treatment and failure to isolate the affected sheep. Outbreak of diseases affects the sheep population in a huge way. Among the diseases, this may be bacterial, viral or parasitic origin in J&K. The foot rot is the emerging disease which affects the sheep population in a big way.

The minimally-invasive thyroidectomy incision: A histological analysis

SummaryBackgroundMinimally invasive thyroidectomy (MIT) has gained popularity in the surgical management of benign and malignant pathology of the thyroid. One of the main benefits of utilizing this technique is the use of smaller incisions resulting in increased cosmetic satisfaction. Unfortunately, the retraction required for adequate exposure during MIT may lead to skin damage, impaired wound healing and poor cosmetic outcomes. Some have proposed that excising incision edges prior to closure may improve cosmesis. A review of the literature does not reveal any histologic evidence to support this technique.Material/MethodsIn this prospective observational study, nine subjects undergoing MIT were identified. Both the superior and inferior skin edges were excised and labeled for orientation. Specimens were sent for hematoxylin and eosin staining and histologic analysis by a staff pathologist.ResultsAll specimens showed no significant findings such as damage to the architecture of the dermis, acute inflammation, edema or evidence of hemorrhage. Focal blood vessel ectasia within the dermis was identified in three of nine subjects.ConclusionsOur findings do not yield a histological basis supporting the routine trimming of incisions during MIT. Although no significant findings were noted histologically, further studies are warranted to investigate the long-term cosmetic outcome of MIT incisions.

Footrot and interdigital dermatitis in sheep: Farmer satisfaction with current management, their ideal management and sources used to adopt new strategies

The aims of this research were to identify management practices that sheep farmers currently use to treat and prevent footrot in sheep and whether they consider that these are successful management tools and to find out how sheep farmers would ideally like to manage footrot in their flock. Over 90% of lameness in sheep in the UK is caused by Dichelobacter nodosus, which presents clinically as interdigital dermatitis (ID) alone or with separation of hoof horn (FR). A questionnaire was sent to 265 farmers to investigate their current management and their satisfaction with current management of the spectrum of clinical presentations of footrot. Farmers were also asked their ideal management of footrot and their interest in, and sources of information for, change. Approximately 160 farmers responded. Farmers satisfied with current management reported a prevalence of lameness ≤5%. These farmers caught and treated lame sheep within 3 days of first seeing them lame, and treated sheep with FR and ID with parenteral antibacterials. Farmers dissatisfied with their management reported a prevalence of lameness >5%. These farmers practised routine foot trimming, footbathing and vaccination against footrot. Whilst 89% of farmers said they were satisfied with their management of FR over 34% were interested in changing management. Farmers identified veterinarians as the most influential source for new information. Farmers reported that ideally they would control FR by culling/isolating lame sheep, sourcing replacements from non-lame parents, trimming feet less, using antibacterial treatments less and using vaccination more. Footbathing was a commonly used management that was linked with dissatisfaction and that also was listed highly as an ideal management. Consequently, some of the ideal managements are in agreement with our understanding of disease control (culling and isolation, sourcing healthy replacements) but others are in contrast with our current knowledge of management and farmers self-reporting of satisfaction of management of footrot (less use of antibacterial treatment, more footbathing and vaccination). One explanation for this is the theory of cognitive dissonance where belief follows behaviour, i.e. farmers report that they believe an ideal which is what they are currently doing, even if the management is sub-optimal.

Farmers’ practices and factors associated with the prevalence of all lameness and lameness attributed to interdigital dermatitis and footrot in sheep flocks in England in 2004

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the risk factors associated with all causes of lameness in sheep differed from those associated with the lesion specific causes of lameness, interdigital dermatitis (ID) and footrot (FR). A total of 809 randomly selected English sheep farmers participated in a postal survey in 2005. Data were requested on their management of lameness in 2004 and whether this had changed from 2003 and the prevalence of all lameness, and lameness caused by ID and FR. The farmer ability to recognise ID and FR was assessed from their responses to a written and pictorial description. On 443 farms where both ID and FR were correctly named by the farmer, the mean prevalence of all lameness, and lameness caused by ID and FR were 10.0% (95% CI: 8.9, 10.8), 6.5% (95% CI: 5.8, 7.3) and 3.1% (95% CI: 2.8, 3.6), respectively. The mean prevalence of all lameness on all 809 farms was not significantly different at 10.2% (95% CI: 9.2, 11.0). The data were analysed using negative binomial regression models with the three outcomes farmer estimated prevalence of all lameness and lameness caused by ID or FR in 2004. Farmers who changed management of sheep between 2003 and 2004 were excluded from the analysis, thus all fixed effects were the farmers’ managements in 2003 and 2004 to ensure that the management was in place for at least one year before the prevalence estimates. Routine foot trimming ≥once/year compared with no routine foot trimming was significantly associated with an increased prevalence of all lameness (prevalence ratio (PR) = 1.34), ID (PR = 1.50) and FR (PR = 1.35). Footbathing was also significantly associated with increased prevalence of all lameness (PR = 1.67), ID (PR = 1.68) and FR (PR = 1.76). A stocking density of >8 ewes/ha was associated with a significantly increased prevalence of all lameness (PR = 1.26) and ID (PR = 1.39). There was a significantly lower prevalence of FR (PR = 0.73; PR = 0.70, respectively) on farms in the North East and South East of England. Separating lame sheep at pasture was associated with a decreased prevalence of all lameness and ID (PR = 0.75; PR = 0.73) and location of the farm in South East England was associated with a lower prevalence of all lameness and ID (PR = 0.75; PR = 0.71, respectively). We conclude that management factors associated with all lameness, and lameness attributed to ID and FR are similar.

Recommendations for Routine Sampling, Trimming, and Paraffin-Embedding of Female Reproductive Organs, Mammary Gland, and Placenta in the Cynomolgus Monkey

In toxicity studies, the nonhuman primate is often the species of choice to evaluate the toxicologic potential of chemicals and drugs. Especially in the case of effects on female reproductive organs and mammary glands, other animal species are less predictive for man. To enable reliable histopathologic interpretation allowing a solid safety assessment, it is a prerequisite to obtain material of consistently high quality. Standardization of autopsy techniques, tissue sampling, and fixation and staining procedures will help significantly to obtain the quality that is needed. For this purpose, a detailed description of the procedures from necropsy to microscopic slide preparation of the female reproductive organs of the cynomolgus monkey is given. Procedures to sample and process the placenta are included. These recommendations can be used to achieve consistent, high-quality tissue preparations, allowing pathologists to conduct sensitive, accurate, and meaningful evaluations of the study material. Competing Interests: This article was sponsored by Covance Inc. and Schering- Plough. Martina Zölle and Eberhard Buse are employed by Covance Inc. Eveline P. C. T. de Rijk and Eric Van Esch are employed by Schering-Plough. No other competing interests were declared.

Looking after the individual to reduce disease in the flock: A binomial mixed effects model investigating the impact of individual sheep management of footrot and interdigital dermatitis in a prospective longitudinal study on one farm

A total of 160 ewes on one farm in England were studied for 18 months. The incidence of footrot and interdigital dermatitis in individually identified sheep and treatment and flock control measures were recorded. A binomial mixed effect model with the incidence of footrot or interdigital dermatitis as the outcome was used to investigate patterns of association between treatments, flock control measures and the incidence of footrot or interdigital dermatitis. In this one flock, the incidence of footrot and interdigital dermatitis was positively associated with the incidence of footrot and interdigital dermatitis and with trimming of feet and negatively associated with the use of parenteral antibiotics and topical antibiotic sprays in either the first and/or second 2-week period prior to the incidence of interest. These results provide two hypotheses: one that ‘footrot and interdigital dermatitis are infectious diseases that can be controlled, in part, through the use of antibiotic therapy, which acts to reduce the infectious period of diseased sheep’ and two, that ‘routine trimming of diseased and healthy feet exacerbate disease, through environmental contamination and/or through increased susceptibility of sheep with recently trimmed feet’.

Claw trimming routines in relation to claw lesions, claw shape and lameness in Norwegian dairy herds housed in tie stalls and free stalls

We assessed the prevalence of claw lesions, abnormal claw shapes and lameness in relation to most-recent claw-trimming routines in Norwegian dairy herds housed in tie stalls and free stalls. Equal-sized groups were randomly sampled from both tie and free stalls in each of the three most animal-dense regions in Norway. The study population consisted of 2551 cows of the Norwegian Red breed housed in 54 tie stalls and 52 free stalls. Fourteen educated claw trimmers performed claw trimming and recording of claw lesions once during the spring of 2002. A multivariable model including cluster effects and individual-cow factors was fit for each claw lesion and abnormal claw shape. In tie-stall herds with routine trimming 39.9% of the cows had one or more lesions or abnormal shapes in front or hind claws versus 52.8% in herds with no routine trimming. Hind-claw results in tie stalls with concrete stall base: herds trimmed occasionally had more haemorrhages of the white line (OR = 2.8) and corkscrewed hind claws (OR = 3.6) versus herds trimmed routinely; herds never trimmed had more heel-horn erosions (OR = 2.6) versus herds trimmed routinely and less haemorrhages of the white line (OR = 0.3) and the sole (OR = 0.2) versus herds trimmed occasionally. In free-stall herds with routine trimming 76.8% of the cows had one or more lesions or abnormal shapes in front or hind claws versus 68.9% in herds with no routine trimming. Hind-claw results in free stalls with concrete stall base: herds never trimmed had less haemorrhages of the white line (OR = 0.3) and the sole (OR = 0.3) versus herds trimmed routinely; and also less haemorrhages of the white line (OR = 0.3) and white-line fissures (OR = 0.3) versus herds trimmed occasionally. Hind-claw results in free stalls with rubber-mat stall base: herds trimmed occasionally had less heel-horn erosions (OR = 0.5) and more dermatitis (OR = 5.4) versus herds trimmed routinely. The routine claw trimming performed in Norwegian free stalls has not had the desired effects on claw lesions and abnormal claw shapes. Routine trimming in tie stalls, however, seems to have prevented claw disorders.

Lameness and foot lesions in adult British dairy goats

In the first population-based study of lameness and foot lesions in adult goats in the UK, a random sample of 307 adult goats from four large commercial dairy farms was...