SURGICAL-MANAGEMENT OF DIGIT DISORDERS IN CATTLE

The majority of lameness in cattle originate from the digits. Genetics , environment, nutrition, and age of cattle contribute greatly in the origin of lameness. The common problems affecting the digits are sole ulcer or abscess, white Line disease, foot rot, and interdigital hyper plasia. If not treated adequately, they can degenerate in deep sepsis of the digits and infect the distal interphalangeal joint, the distal sesamoid bone and its synovial bursal, the digital flexor tendons, the ir sheaths. Surgical procedures of the common digital disorders are di scussed with an emphasis on the different approach of the distal inter phalangeal joint.