FOLLOW-UP OF RESECTIONS ON CLAWS OF CATTL E

Between 1980 and 1991 205 partial resections on claws of cattle have b een performed at our clinic. 111 of these cases could be included in a retrospective study. In 57.5 % of these cases parts of the third phal ange had to be resected (group 1), in 14.2 % parts of the third phalan ge and the deep flexor tendon had to be removed (group 2); in 28.3 % a lso the distal sesamoid bone and/or other structures were affected (gr oup 3). The average duration of treatment ((x) over bar +/- s) was 6.9 +/- 4.5 weeks for group 1, 6.5 +/- 1.9 weeks and 9.3 +/- 3.9 weeks fo r group 2 and 3, respectively. There was a highly significant differen ce between the means of group land 3 and a significant difference betw een group 2 and 3. Of 103 animals which were provided for pasturing 44 .7 % could meet this requirement not at all or only with limitations. This was true for 66.7 % of animals of group 2 and 58.2 % of animals o f group 3. 84.5 % of 84 animals, which could be evaluated in this resp ect, the normal milk production was regained after treatment. At the t ime the retrospective study was performed, 13 of the animals still wer e alive. The average survival time ((x) over bar +/- s) after surgical treatment of 74 animals, for which the date of slaughter was availabl e, was 22.0 +/- 21.8 months. Recurring lameness from the treated or an other leg was the reason for salvaging in 39.2 % of the animals. A com parison with results of an earlier retrospective study of our clinic, dealing with cattle after amputation to the toe revealed that with the exception of cases with a well delimited zone of necrosis in the thir d phalange for economical reasons the toe amputation should be perform ed rather than a partial resection. For cases, where slaughtering woul d be the only alternative to the resection, this method can well be re commended.