Pododermatitis Circumspecta in Bovines

Pododermatitis Circumspecta or Bruised Sole or Contusion of the sole in Bovines is the specific lesion affecting the sole or sole-heel junction starting as a haemorrhage in the corium and leading to loss of horn over the area with the resulting track to the bearing surface.

There is a passage of infection to the solar corium with the development of secondary septic laminitis.

Incidence

• Commonly  affects  adult cattle.
• Female cattle tend to be affected most frequently in the lateral claws of the hind feet.
• Bulls are affected more in medial claws of fore feet.

Clinical features

• Limb may be held in an abnormal position, Abduction of limb
• Excessive pulsation of the artery over the metatarsal / metacarpal region,
• Break in the continuity of the integument, pain on pressure are noticed.
• If the condition has progressed, granulation tissue from the corium rapidly grows through the defect to form a cauliflower or rosette like protruberance. This lesion frequently bleeds.
• Severe continuing lameness leads to considerable strain on the opposite supporting limb, ligamentous tendinous and joint changes may result.
• If the course is chronic, interdigital hyperplasia may develop.

Etiology

• Greater weight bearing by particular digits,
• Intensive feeding of oilseed cakes,
• Cow-hocked animals and abnormal hoof lengths leads to the excessive tension on deep flexor tendon may result from an abnormal posture.
• Thrombosis in digital arteries, it is sequelae of partially used chronic laminits.
• Heavy bulls have a higher incidence than lighter breeds.
• Hereditary factors involved in absorption of concussion may also play a role like an upright hindlimb may predispose to damage.

Diagnosis

• The lesion is at a characteristic point and readily observed after cleaning.
• Under run horn should be pared away and a probe passed down the tract.
• The presence of thin, yellow pus indicates extensive pododermatitis into the navicular bursa or pedal joint, dark pus is usually from more superficial necrosis.

Differential diagnosis

• Aseptic / septic puncture of sole
• White line disease
• Chronic necrotic pododermatitis
• Inter digital necrobacillosis
• Acute laminitis

Treatment

• Adequate exposure of the diseased tissues and removal of necrotic horn, corium and exuberant granulation under local anaesthesia or nerve block.
• Necrotic tissue should not be cut by the knife and should be left to slough. Excessive haemorrhage must be avoided.
• Salicylic acid, iodine compounds, copper sulphate, dilute sulphonamide suspensions can be used.
• Application of chlormycetin tincture effectively dries superficial sensitive corium act as a specific antibiotic cover against fusobacterium necrophorus infection.
• Chlorhexidine ointment followed by a daily soaking of the bandaged foot in copper sulphate solution.
• Defect should be covered with a firm padding of gauze and a compressive waterproof bandage.
• Local antibiotic injection. (e.g) neomycin, bacitracin, chlortetracycline, penicillin

Prevention

• Effective, regular trimming of feet must be carried out by experienced person.
• Animal should always be permitted a period of walking exercise in winter, when normally kept for much of the time indoors.