By Arnbjerg, J. and Basse, A. and Mgasa, M. N. and Mortensen, K., Zimbabwe Veterinary Journal, 1994
Description
Digits of beef bulls on 4 feeding programmes (in Denmark) were examined. The 4 groups were: A, ad lib. concentrates; B, limited concentrates and ad lib. silage; C and D were also on ad lib. silage, but were changed to ad lib. concentrates as a finishing ration in the last 1.5 and 3 months, respectively, before slaughter. The bulls were examined clinically and radiologically from 1.5 to 11 months of age at 6-week intervals. All animals in group A had stance abnormalities indicating lameness. In addition the claws had marked grooves and concavity of the dorsal wall, severe broadening of the white line and a rotation of the distal phalanx. Histologically, uneven lamellae, reduced and defective horn production, with a cessation of horn production in some areas, were common in some claws. Other significant lesions in group A included: irregular arrangement of basal cells of the stratum basale and chronic thrombosis in the corium. The lesions in group A indicated laminitis due to their symetrical distribution in claws and the histological appearance. All animals in group B had healthy claws and there was no lameness observed. Only one animal in group C appeared lame at the age of 10 months. The lesions observed in either the gross or histological study of claws of bulls from both group C and D were not specific for laminitis. It is concluded that feeding bulls on ad lib. concentrates with limited access to roughage was a factor associated with the occurrence of severe laminitis. Confinement and restricted movement on concrete floors were also mentioned as possible predisposing factors
Digits of beef bulls on 4 feeding programmes (in Denmark) were examined. The 4 groups were: A, ad lib. concentrates; B, limited concentrates and ad lib. silage; C and D were also on ad lib. silage, but were changed to ad lib. concentrates as a finishing ration in the last 1.5 and 3 months, respectively, before slaughter. The bulls were examined clinically and radiologically from 1.5 to 11 months of age at 6-week intervals. All animals in group A had stance abnormalities indicating lameness. In addition the claws had marked grooves and concavity of the dorsal wall, severe broadening of the white line and a rotation of the distal phalanx. Histologically, uneven lamellae, reduced and defective horn production, with a cessation of horn production in some areas, were common in some claws. Other significant lesions in group A included: irregular arrangement of basal cells of the stratum basale and chronic thrombosis in the corium. The lesions in group A indicated laminitis due to their symetrical distribution in claws and the histological appearance. All animals in group B had healthy claws and there was no lameness observed. Only one animal in group C appeared lame at the age of 10 months. The lesions observed in either the gross or histological study of claws of bulls from both group C and D were not specific for laminitis. It is concluded that feeding bulls on ad lib. concentrates with limited access to roughage was a factor associated with the occurrence of severe laminitis. Confinement and restricted movement on concrete floors were also mentioned as possible predisposing factors
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