abattoir study on morphopathology of claw capsule in culling lame cows

the majority of bovine lameness involves structures of the digit. a prompt identification of problematic cases is needed to be done for prevention of premature culling decision. this cross-sectional and descriptive study was carried out at an abattoir in the vicinity of tehran. 41 cases of culled lame cows, with special reference to the claw lesions and their distribution were randomly selected. all amputated limb were referred to pathology department for more routine pathological studies by maceration and bleaching. in this study, post mortem examination revealed typical changes of chronic laminitis were among the most common pathological features, suggesting that laminitis may have affected virtually all the herd at some previous time. clinical signs are as fllows: the claws were much taller and more boxy than normal and the abaxial wall was convex in all directions. a bark-like substance occurred on the wall in some cases. horn quality was poor in affected claws. asymmetrical swelling of the heel and also appreciable widening of the periople part on the affected digit were the most common clinical features. based on the results the following conclusions were reached: 1) chronic laminitis has an important role on the trend of culling in lame cows 2) the characteristic changes in the claw in culling lame cows may provide useful on-farm diagnostic technique for culling decision or attempt for appropriate therapy, particularly in deep sepsis cases.