Clinical and biochemical findings in dairy cows with uncomplicated sole ulcers with regard to laminitis as a predisposing factor

A total of 160 dairy cows with no signs of systemic disease that were treat ed for an uncomplicated claw lesion with exposed corium were included in th is study. The clinical findings of the orthopedic examination were compared with the biochemical profile. The cows with a mean age of 7.4 +/- 2.6 years had an average milk yield of 6188 +/- 1174 litres (data from previous lactation). Cows with the same or a higher milk yield than the herd average were over-represented (72%). Almo st half (45%) of the cows were in the second half of their lactation when e xamined (5.9 +/- 4.1 months). A total of 236 lesions were recorded. Twelve (7.5%) of the 160 cows had 3 o r more lesions, 49 (30.6%) cows 2 lesions and 99 (61.9%) cows one lesion. T he most common localisation of ulceration were at the outer hind claw at th e typical site in the sole (62%) and in the (17%). The alterations of the e xposed corium were either classified as slight (63%), moderate (22%) or sev ere (15%). Changes attributed to laminitis we(r)e observed in two thirds of all animals (subclinical 36%; clinical 30%). The concentration of glucose, cholesterin, LDH and urea was increased in on e third of the animals. Phosphorus and magnesium concentrations were lower than the reference values in 43%, and 23% of the animals, respectively. Cow s with a history of former claw lesions in a previous lactation, with lamin itis, with more than one moderate to severe claw lesions and cows with acut e lesions had higher urea concentrations than the respective control group. Blood levels for AST, bilirubin, creatin-kinase were higher and iron lower , respectively, in cows with moderate to severe claw lesions than in cows w ith mild lesions in only on claw. The fact that cows with more than one chronic claw lesion had a higher inci dence of alterations in the blood chemical profile than cows with mild claw lesions in only one claw indicates that severe claw diseases occur concurr ently with metabolic disorders or vice versa.