Does digital dermatitis cause hoof conformation changes in its early clinical stage?

Abstract

It is well described how hoof conformation in dairy cattle changes over time because of variation in physiology or production systems. Decreased production and well-being associated with hoof overgrowth has caused a whole hoof-trimming industry to be built, with the objective of reestablishing the optimal balance and claw angle and preventing lameness. The feet of cows with severe clinical digital dermatitis (DD) undergo dramatic transformation that is easily recognizable. It is not uncommon to observe "square feet" on cattle with DD, where the heel has overgrown such that the animal alters its gait and wears down the toe, which decreases the dorsal length of the claw, sometimes to the same length as the heel. Consequently, cattle become painful and lame not only from the ulcerated DD lesion, but also from the extra wear and trauma of the toe or the white line area. Changes in hoof conformation during the early or less severe stages of DD have not been described. The objective of this study was to describe the changes in hoof conformation caused by early clinical DD lesions.