Sole Ulcer

Description
Click photos for detail

A sole ulcer is invariably located at the same site on the sole. It occurs on the inside of the outer hind claw at the junction between the sole and bulb of the heel (See anatomy). The claw in the photograph on the left below has an ulcer that has not penetrated to the surface of the sole. It was only exposed during claw trimming. The claw on the right below is very typical of many ulcers. Proud flesh has grown through the sole as a result of the horn-producing tissues being destroyed by abnormal pressure on the area.

Click on these photographs to learn more.

Cause

Soft Sole Horn

The main cause of horn being soft in dairy cows is laminitis. Softened horn is more pliable than normal, it is more readily worn than normal, therefore, it is more vulnerable to damage than normal.

The changes in the characteristics of the horn precipitate damage to the horn-producing tissues beneath the sole.

Open the photograph below right to see some of the ways that nechanical pressure can cause this condition.

Treatment

Sole ulcers should NEVER be bandaged if a block is not applied first. Bandages have been proven to be of no particular benefit in these cases.

If the case has become neglected and the foot swollen with infection, it is usually best to amputate the affected digit.

Apply a Block or Shoe

For the past 30 years, wooden blocks have been applied to the sound claw of cows with sole ulcers. The objective of this procedure is to remove the affected claw from bearing weight. When this procedure is undertaken, the ulcers usually heal in a little over two weeks.

In recent years plastic shoes have been introduced, such as the "easy block." These devices are easier to apply than blocks and offer some advantages.

Blocks should not be left on after the wound has healed. The additional pressure to one claw can cause pressure damage.

For more information on this subject refer to acrylics also shoes as well as claw trimming.

Expert Claw Trimming

Some claw trimmers claim to be able to trim early cases of sole ulcer without having to resort to the use of a block or a shoe. The method involves paring the affected claw and allowing natural weight-bearing to take place on the affected digit. The area immediately around the ulcer is lowered still further.

If one claw is affected, it is obligatory to look at the outside claw of the other foot.

Control

Controlling the incidence of sole ulcers depends entirely on controlling sub-clinical laminitis in a herd.