Prevalence Of Sole Haemorrhages And Its Correlation With Subclinical And Chronic Laminitis In Dairy Cows

Abstract

Nguhiu-Mwangi, J; Mbithi, P.M.F.; Wabachal, J.K.; Mbuthia, P.G. Date: 2007 Prevalence and risk factors of laminitis were determined in 300 dairy cows from 29 zero-grazed and 3 pasture-grazed dairy farms in Nairobi and the peri-urban districts. Lameness was assessed using a universally recognized locomotion scoring system. Claws were examined and 1-2mm thick layer of the horn of the sole was trimmed-off to further expose underlying lesions. Location of lesions on the under-side of the claws was recorded corresponding to 6 universally recognized zones. Prevalence of subclinical and chronic laminitis was 49.3% and 21 % respectively. While sole haemorrhages were recorded in 82% of the 70.3% of the cows with laminitis (both subclinical and chronic), it was nevertheless present in all the 49.3% of the cows with subclinical phase of laminitis. Haemorrhages were categorized into 5 universally recognized scores. Haemorrhages in zone 4 of the claw under-side were frequently associated with subclinical laminitis while those in zones 2, 3 and 6 were frequently associated with chronic laminitis. Slight to moderate (score 1 and 2) haemorrhages were significantly correlated (X2 = 18.01, P< 0.0001) with subclinical laminitis. Moderate to severe (score 2 and 3) haemorrhages were significantly correlated (X2 = 33.08, p<O.0001) with chronic laminitis. Sole haemorrhage which is made clearer through horn trimming can reliably be used to diagnose laminitis.

A Bird's-Eye View of Veterinary Medicine

“…Ignorance and negligence of claw trimming practices in the zero-grazing units that were included in this study have been major cause and an aggravating factor in the progression of claw disorders to chronic stages. This contributes to long-term claw damage and worsens the prognoses (Nguhiu-Mwangi, 2007). It has been shown that trimming of hooves leads to lower locomotion scores and reduced clinical lameness (Manson & Leaver, 1988).…”

“…Examination of the claws cannot be conclusive without trimming at least the horn of the sole. This is necessitated by the fact that lesions underneath the horn of the claws are not discernible externally until exposed by trimming (Nguhiu-Mwangi, 2007;Nocek, 1997). Such routine examination will help to recognize and manage claw disorders in the early stages before they progress to unmanageable chronic stages in which the claws are irreversibly damaged.…”

“…Sole haemorrhages were scored according a universally suggested scale denoted as score 0 (no haemorrhages), score 1 (slight haemorrhages), score 2 (moderate haemorrhages), score 3 (severe haemorrhages), and score 4 (exposed corium) (Greenough & Vermunt, 1991). The haemorrhages were highly prevalent in zone 4 (34.7%), moderately prevalent in zones 3(14.3%), 6 (14.1%) and 2 (13.6%), and least prevalent in zones 5 and 1 at 8.7% and 0.7% respectively (Nguhiu-Mwangi et al, 2007).…”

Macroscopic, Radiographic and Histopathologic Changes of Claws with Laminitis and Laminitis-Related Disorders in Zero-Grazed Dairy Cows

“…These macroscopic deformities are often accompanied by irreversible damage to the internal structure of the claws [6][7][8][9]. Initially, laminitis occurs in a subtle clinically unrecognised state referred to as subclinical laminitis, which can only be discerned through claw trimming as sole and white line haemorrhages [6,10,11]. The haemorrhages are associated with pododermal microvasculature changes that lead to extravasation of serum and blood elements with subsequent staining of the internal layers of the horn next to the corium of the claw and later following horn-growth towards the surface of the sole, becomes visible externally as sole haemorrhages [6,11,12].…”

“…Initially, laminitis occurs in a subtle clinically unrecognised state referred to as subclinical laminitis, which can only be discerned through claw trimming as sole and white line haemorrhages [6,10,11]. The haemorrhages are associated with pododermal microvasculature changes that lead to extravasation of serum and blood elements with subsequent staining of the internal layers of the horn next to the corium of the claw and later following horn-growth towards the surface of the sole, becomes visible externally as sole haemorrhages [6,11,12]. If claw trimming or keen observation is not done routinely in individual dairy cows, subclinical laminitis advances to chronic phase of laminitis and predisposes to laminitis-related non-infectious claw disorders with likelihood of occurrence of irreversible internal damage in the claws [6,13].…”