Hoof Lesion Severity Guide

Dairy Cattle Hoof Lesion Severity Guide

Non-infectious Lesions
Infectious Lesions

About This App

© AgroMedia International Inc 2014

About

This lesion severity scoring guide is intended for the use of hoof trimmers, in particular those who are using the Hoof Supervisor® lesion recording system. The guide will assist trimmers to more consistently score the severity of the lesions they observe, making it possible to assess changes in severity from one trim session to the next.

Acknowledgements:

Dr. Paul Greenough prepared the initial version of the guide which was later revised with input from hoof trimmers participating in The Alberta Dairy Hoof Health Project, namely:

Elbert Koster
Philip Spence
Robin Geier
Matthew Hofstra
Taco Hansma
Darren Bell
Eric Bremer

Photographs were provided by:

Dr. Paul Greenough, whose large library of photographs was assembled from those of many international contributors
Elbert Koster
Philip Spence
Vic Daniel

To make suggestions for improvement of this guide or to contribute photographs, contact:
Steve Mason, 2508 Charlebois Drive NW, Calgary AB Canada T2L 0T6
phone: (403)284-5484, e-mail: steve@agromedia.ca, website: http://dairyhoofhealth.info

Non-infectious Lesions

Sole Ulcer
Toe Ulcer
White Line Lesion
Sole Hemorrhage
Corkscrew Claw
Vertical Fissure
Axial Fissure
Horizontal Fissure
Thin Sole
Interdigital Hyperplasia

Non-infectious Lesions

Infectious Lesions

Foot Rot
Digital Dermatitis
Heel Erosion
Interdigital Dermatitis

Infectious Lesions

Sole Ulcer (U)

Sole ulcer is defined as a hole in the sole horn at the typical site (the posterior end of zone 4).
Also called: Pododermatitis Circumscripta, Rusterholz Disease
Zone Affected: 4

Common signs:

Raw sore (horn erosive defect) occurring at sole-heel junction on inner side of outside hind claw
Often occurs in both outside hind claws (when present)

Severities are scored after trimming.

Severity 1
Severity 2
Severity 3

Sole Ulcer (U)

Sole Ulcer Severity 1

The corium is exposed.

Sole Ulcer Severity 1

Sole Ulcer Severity 2

Exposed granulation tissue is evident.

Sole Ulcer Severity 2

Sole Ulcer Severity 3

Exposed granulation tissue is larger than the end of a pinky finger.

Sole Ulcer Severity 3

Toe Ulcer (T)

Also called: Toe Necrosis, Apicalis Necrotica
Zone Affected: 1

Common signs:

Black mark, blood stain and/or rupture in white line or sole at the toe
Caused by rotation of pedal bone within the claw pressing down on the sole or thin soles

Severities are scored after trimming.

Severity 1
Severity 2
Severity 3

Toe Ulcer (T)

Toe Ulcer Severity 1

A hole in the sole horn in the toe region (zone 1 and/or 5), difficult to differentiate from, and similar to, a White Line Lesion in zone 1.

Toe Ulcer Severity 1

Toe Ulcer Severity 2

Granulation tissue present, short toe.

Toe Ulcer Severity 2

Toe Ulcer Severity 3

Exposed necrotic tissue or bone, distinct smell, very short toe. Extreme cases may progress to involve other, more complicated lesions such as a vertical crack extending up to the coronary band.

Toe Ulcer Severity 3

White Line Lesion (W)

Also called: White Line Separation, White Line Disease
Zones Affected: 1, 2, 3

Common signs:

In mild cases, a void occurs in the junction between the sole and the wall
In severe cases, abscesses form, generally at the heel-sole-wall juncture (zone 3)

Severities are scored after trimming.

Severity 1
Severity 2
Severity 3

White Line Lesion (W)

White Line Lesion Severity 1

Ranges from hemorrhage to slight separation of white line. Trimming may release small amounts of pus.

White Line Lesion Severity 1

White Line Lesion Severity 2

Minor exposure of corium; detachment of horn, commonly at heel sole/wall junction but possibly in other areas; substantial pus.

White Line Lesion Severity 2

White Line Lesion Severity 3

More pronounced exposure of corium, possibly extending up to the coronary band.

White Line Lesion Severity 3

Sole Hemorrhage (H)

Also called: Sole Bruising
Zones Affected: 4, 5, 6

Common signs:

Slight to significant red (or blue) coloration of the sole
Not to be confused with natural black pigmentation of claw horn

Severity score is based on appearance after trimming.

Severity 1
Severity 2
Severity 3

Sole Hemorrhage (H)

Sole Hemorrhage Severity 1

Light coloured blood streaks in sole horn.

Sole Hemorrhage Severity 1

Sole Hemorrhage Severity 2

Darker red or blue areas left in the sole after it has been trimmed.

Sole Hemorrhage Severity 2

Sole Hemorrhage Severity 3

Very dark red, purple or blue areas left in the sole after trimming.

Sole Hemorrhage Severity 3

Corkscrew Claw (C)

Zone Affected: 7

Common signs:

Rapid irregular growth of the claw with rotation
Sole displaced inward and rear
Causes difficulty walking

Score all cases as severity 1.

Severity 1

Corkscrew Claw (C)

Corkscrew Claw Severity 1

The sole gradually grows to face inwards and upwards as the axial side of the claw rotates.

Corkscrew Claw Severity 1

Vertical Fissure (V)

Also called: Sandcrack, Fissura Ungulae Longitudinalis

Zones Affected: 7, 8

Common signs:

Vertical split in front or side of claw
Occurs primarily on outside front claws
Often the most painful cause of lameness

Score all as severity 1, irrespective of the size of the crack.

Severity 1

Vertical Fissure (V)

Vertical Fissure Severity 1

Axial Fissure (X)

Also called: Axial Wall Fissure
Zones Affected: 11, 12

Common signs:

Deep groove on interior surface of claw wall parallel to front claw surface
Bleeding may indicate lesion presence
Mild to severe lameness

Severity is determined by the length and depth of the fissure.

Severity 1
Severity 2
Severity 3

Axial Fissure (X)

Axial Fissure Severity 1

A visible track appears indicating the start of a fissure but not the full distance from the interdigital space to the sole.

Axial Fissure Severity 1

Axial Fissure Severity 2

An enlarged crack extending from the interdigital space to the sole.

Axial Fissure Severity 2

Axial Fissure Severity 3

The corium is exposed in the fissure.

Axial Fissure Severity 3

Horizontal Fissure (G)

Also called: Hardship Groove, Horizontal Wall Fissure, Fissura Ungulae Transversalis
Zones Affected: 7, 8

Common signs:

Claw wall parallel to the hairline cracks and eventually breaks off
Caused by nutritional or metabolic stress

Severity 1
Severity 2
Severity 3

Horizontal Fissure (G)

Horizontal Fissure Severity 1

A slight groove in the wall parallel to the coronary band.

Horizontal Fissure Severity 1

Horizontal Fissure Severity 2

A deeper groove but loose horn is not yet evident.

Horizontal Fissure Severity 2

Horizontal Fissure Severity 3

Lower portion of horn is partially detached from underlying tissue, resembling a ‘thimble’.

Horizontal Fissure Severity 3

Thin Sole (Z)

Zones Affected: 4, 5

Common signs:

Sole is thin and flexible when pressure is applied
Caused by insufficient length of toe, excessive wear or over trimming
Minimum claw length of 3 inches (7.5 cm) does not apply to heifers or animals that weigh less than 900 lb (400 kg)

Severity 1
Severity 2
Severity 3

Thin Sole (Z)

Thin Sole Severity 1

Sole is ‘spongy’ when finger or ‘hoof tester’ pressure is applied.

Thin Sole Severity 1

Thin Sole Severity 2

Sole is ‘spongy’ and toe of adult animals is less than 3 inches in length from coronary band to tip.

Thin Sole Severity 2

Thin Sole Severity 3

Sole is worn through, corium is exposed and may be bleeding.

Photo required

Thin Sole Severity 3

Interdigital Hyperplasia (K)

Also called: Corn, Interdigital Fibroma, Interdigital Growth
Zone Affected: 0

Common signs:

Rapid growth of skin and/or tissue between the digits, forming a firm mass
Secondary infection likely with severe (large) lesion

Severity 1
Severity 2
Severity 3

Interdigital Hyperplasia (K)

Interdigital Hyperplasia Severity 1

Growth of tissue (hyperplasia) between claws but does not fill interdigital space.

Interdigital Hyperplasia Severity 1

Interdigital Hyperplasia Severity 2

Hyperplastic tissue fills interdigital space.

Interdigital Hyperplasia Severity 2

Interdigital Hyperplasia Severity 3

Growth of tissue (hyperplasia) between claws causes claws to spread.

Interdigital Hyperplasia Severity 3

Foot Rot (F)

Also called: Foul, Phlegmon, Interdigital Phlegmon, Interdigital Necrobacillosis
Zone Affected: 9

Common signs:

Swelling of the entire foot (equally) including the dew claws
Separation of digits, infection produces a noticeable foul odour
Animals will likely have a fever

Severity 1
Severity 2
Severity 3

Foot Rot (F)

Foot Rot Severity 1

Both digits are swollen equally up to the fetlock, including the dew claws.

Foot Rot Severity 1

Foot Rot Severity 2

Tissue between coronary band and fetlock broken open, foul odour.

Foot Rot Severity 2

Foot Rot Severity 3

Severity 2 with other complications.

Foot Rot Severity 3

Digital Dermatitis (D)

Also called: Hairy Heel Warts, Mortellaro Disease
Zones Affected: 9, 10

Common signs:

Raw, bright-red or black circular growth above the heel bulbs, with edges forming a white opaque ring or hard, thin, hairy, wart-like growths or sores
Affected cattle are reluctant to walk or are lame

Severity 1
Severity 2
Severity 3

Digital Dermatitis (D)

Digital Dermatitis Severity 1

A circular lesion above the heel bulb smaller than a toonie (26 mm - about an inch) in diameter.

Digital Dermatitis Severity 1

Digital Dermatitis Severity 2

A lesion between 26 mm and 52 mm in diameter.

Digital Dermatitis Severity 2

Digital Dermatitis Severity 3

A lesion greater than 52 mm in diameter.

Digital Dermatitis Severity 3

Heel Erosion (E)

Zone Affected: 6

Common signs:

Severe erosion of heel in irregular pit-like depressions or “v” shaped grooves causing lameness
Instability of the claw due to lost or damaged horn resulting in uneven weight bearing
Heel becomes sore as erosion progresses

Score all cases as severity 1.

Severity 1

Heel Erosion (E)

Heel Erosion Severity 1

Interdigital Dermatitis (I)

Also called: Stable Foot Rot, Scald
Zones Affected: 0, 10

Common signs:

Discharge and destruction of skin between the claws
Bulb horn clefts leading to contusion of the corium and ulceration

Score all cases as severity 1.

Severity 1

Interdigital Dermatitis (I)

Interdigital Dermatitis Severity 1