Sole Ulcers in Cattle

Sole Ulcers in Cattle also called Pododermatitis septica circumscripta. it is commonly noticed in grazing cattle and may occur in any digit.

Sole Ulcers in Cattle are more common in lateral claws of hind limb and medial claws of forelimb. The seat of lesion is at the corium that overlies the flexor process of the third phalanx.

Etiology

• Over trimming of toes
• As secondary to interdigital dermatitis

Clinical Signs

• Slight haemorrhage, necrosis of the corium and surrounding tissues

Treatment

• Corrective trimming and lowering the heel horn of the affected claw
• Application of hoof block to healthy claw to avoid weight bearing on the affected limb
• If adequate heel depth of healthy toe is available “heelless method of trimming”-removal of all wall and sole from the posterior half of the digit to a depth with preservation of thin layer of sole and application of hoof block on the healthy toe for a period of four weeks.