Cattle Laminitis Definition

Cattle infected with mycoplasma bovis are at risk of joint infection.

Cattle laminitis definition.

Cattle with chronic laminitis slipper foot usually have overgrown disfigured hooves. The coronary band is covered with a rough fringe of horn and the hoof appears rippled. With the exception of supporting limb laminitis which generally occurs in the foot opposite to the leg that is severely lame laminitis both sirs and endocrine is systemic definition. Laminitis also termed founder is inflammation of the laminae of the foot the soft tissue structures that attach the coffin or pedal bone of the foot to the hoof wall.

Laminitis is a disease that affects the feet of ungulates and is found mostly in horses and cattle clinical signs include foot tenderness progressing to inability to walk increased digital pulses and increased temperature in the hooves. Subclinical laminitis in dairy cattle not affected by clinical laminitis paring of the sole 80 100 days after calving may reveal signs indicative of laminitis increased incidence of haemorrhages yellowish discolouration and sole lesions. Affecting the entire body and therefore the factors causing laminitis can affect any foot. The etiology of subclinical laminitis in cattle is not understood.

Nsaid non steroidal anti inflammatory drug injectable ketoprofen 2 to 4 mg kg im iv. Injectable diphenhydramine 0 5 to 1 0 mg kg iv im. Since the outside claw of the rear foot is most often affected cows tend to stand cow hocked. However founder usually refers to a chronic long term condition associated with rotation of the coffin bone whereas acute laminitis refers to symptoms associated with a sudden initial.

Speaking to a large crowd at the national cattlemen s beef association s cattleman s college in denver today tom edwards dvm kearney neb offered some tips on laminitis and responsible handling of downed cattle. Antihistamines may be useful e g. Laminitis can affect one or all feet but it is most often seen in the front feet concurrently. Abnormal growth in chronic cows can lead to abnormal wear which predisposes.

The classic hypothesis suggests that high levels of carbohydrate in the diet see subacute ruminal acidosis invoke an increase of streptococcus bovis and lactobacillus spp which induce a state of acidosis in the rumen. Correct grain overload keeping the animal moving and the claws cool. The term subclinical laminitis has been introduced for this condition 45 46. The terms laminitis and founder are used interchangeably.

High grain rations erratic feed consumption due to weather factors or feed supply problems and improper feed processing are risk factors for laminitis.