Читать книгу Bovine Reproduction - Группа авторов - Страница 198

Lameness is the most common problem in bulls at stud. The primary complaint from the stud manager will be lameness of acute onset. Some of the more common insults are hoof or foot rot, hairy heel wart (bovine dermatitis), hoof abscess, hoof lacerations, broken toes, and overgrown toes. Hoof abscesses due to wall separations (“white line disease”) are most often identified as the problem in these lame bulls. Most white line disease can be traced back to subclinical laminitis occurring some time in the bull's yearling development. The best curative approach is to access a hydraulic tilt table and to place the bull in lateral recumbency in order to remove the damaged sole and/or wall (Figures 12.6 and 12.7). Feed and water are withheld for 24 hours before table placement to reduce the chance of rumenal tympany while in lateral recumbency. If over 1 cm of sole or hoof wall is removed, it is recommended that an elevated block be placed on the opposing toe in order to reduce contact with the ground by the injured toe. Postprocedure antibiotics and analgesics are necessary to prevent infection and pain due to the lesion. Other injuries causing lameness are usually accidents that can occur in the collection areas, for example shoulder “sprains” when bulls get their forelimb hung up on the back of the mount animal and stifle injuries when mounting or dismounting the mount animal. Sometimes the only method available to properly diagnose the problem is diagnostic anesthesia, which often requires the use of a tilt table. Superficial injuries may be treated with a few days of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs. The more serious may require more aggressive measures.

Figure 12.6 A well‐designed work area for performing lameness examinations at a custom stud. Note the hydraulic tilt table and footbath in foreground.

Figure 12.7 Assisting in preparation of hoof block application.

Treatment of issues such as foot rot or hairy heel wart may best be treated via footbath or topical therapy. The more stubborn infections may require antibiotics and periodic topical antibiotic bandages. If lameness persists after a few days of therapy, it is always recommended to question the original diagnosis and reinvestigate the problem.

Occasionally, a diffusely swollen limb is observed associated with a joint (most often a tarsus) with accompanying pyrexia, which can signal initiation of septic arthritis secondary to a generalized bacteremia. These are usually consequences of some kind of stress, most often change of feed or feeding methods. Any bull presenting with generalized cellulitis in a limb should be considered a medical emergency. Most bulls are not weight‐bearing and can be difficult to deal with in local settings, so it is often better to refer these cases to a facility capable of handling this kind of care.