Foreign Body
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Description

In this context the term 'foreign body' means an object such as a stone, piece of glass or nail on which a cow stands. (click image)

• It can simply cause pressure on the sensitive tissue inside the foot; or
• It will penetrate the sole and inject infection into the sensitive tissues inside the claw.

Penetration of the Sole

A foreign body penetrating the front half of the sole will cause very acute lameness to develop rapidly.
In this case an abscess would be located between bone and horn. If such a lesion resolves naturally, pus would have to escape via the coronary band.

Penetration Beneath the Heel

A foreign body penetrating in the heel region will cause lameness that develops slowly and is less painful.
In this case an abscess is located between elastic horn and the elastic digital cushion. Pus escapes around the coronary band of the heel bulb and causes underrun heel.

Cause

The cause is, of course, accidental. The cow treads on a foreign body. The risk of penetration is greater when the sole of the horn is soft. The horn softens when it is continually exposed to slurry or the animal is laminitic.

Under pasture conditions the sole usually remains concave and a layer of mud and fibrous material accumulates. This pad protects the sole from foreign bodies.

The sole of the claws of animals housed on concrete wears flat and becomes thinner than normal. This flatness increases the pressure exerted on any foreign body encountered.

Treatment

The foreign body is removed from the sole.

The horn around the cavity will be black if the stone or nail has been in situ for any length of time. Using the tip of a sharp hoof knife, pare away the black horn. Use considerable care not to remove more horn than is absolutely necessary.

Relieving pressure from the damaged area may be sufficient treatment. Do not make matters worse if an abscess is not present.

Squeezing the claw with hoof pincers may indicate that an abscess is present or pus may be released as the result of the exploration with a knife.

If pus does escape, it may be possible to squeeze a little intramammary antibiotic into the cavity.

The pressure inside the foot is usually so great that the cavity inside fills with healthy tissue almost immediately. Unless there is a large cavity, it is usually safe to leave the wound open. However, the animal's ability to move around should be restricted for 24 hours.

Control

Because of the accidental nature of the condition, control measures cannot be suggested.

The risk of trauma can be reduced by ensuring that foreign bodies are not left around after workmen have been undertaking repair. The condition of roadways and new concrete surfaces should be monitored.