Congenital Hypoplasia of the Fore Claw in Dairy Cows: Report of Two Cases

摘要

Lameness is considered to be a major welfare and economic problem throughout the world. Foot and leg shape are both highly heritable and poor limb conformation is a predisposing factor for lameness. The objective of this study is to report of congenital hypoplasia of the claw in fore limb in two dairy cows. The case included two local and Holstein dairy cows presenting hypoplasia of the medial claw in forelimb. Both medial fore claws were generally narrower than normal. Cows exhibited a mild to severe lameness. The Sarabi cow showed a marked and painful bruising on the lateral heel region and Holstein cow showed sole ulcer with a circumscribed granulation tissue located in the region of the sole-bulb junction (zone 4) in both fore limbs. Poor conformation result to regional overloading on the sole and heel influence the distribution of different lesions. This change in claw shape also combined with pressure-induced pain on the affected claw might force the cow to distribute its weight to the contralateral claw. The feature was considered consistent with the anomaly entity described as hypoplasia of the claw.