Abscess of Coronary Band
click on images for detail

Description

A coronary-band abscess is a discharge of pus from the junction of the skin with the horn (See Anatomy). This lesion is often missed if it is covered with mud and manure.

Palpating the coronary band, painful if an abscess is present, should be a routine procedure when examining a lame cow.

Cause

The most common cause is an abscess, resulting from the penetration of a foreign body located near the white line in the anterior half of the sole. The infection works its way up, under the wall, to escape at the coronary band. The pus must track past the toe joint which may become infected.

An abscess located under the anterior half of the sole will produce a similar effect. The difference is likely to be that a more extensive region of the coronary band will be involved. In some cases the entire claw capsule will be shed.

Treatment

If the opening of the abscess is close to the wall, an oval slice should be cut from the edge of the wall. This allows pus to escape sideways rather than risk the opening to the abscess becoming blocked. (click image)

Whenever possible, the track of infection must be followed from its origin. Removal of the wall can be accomplished with the saw blade of a dremel tool.

Control

This is an accidentally produced condition which cannot be anticipated. Therefore, control measures are inappropriate.