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Table 4 Definition of lameness and claw lesions recorded at trimming

From: Claw and limb disorders in 12 Norwegian beef-cow herds

Lesion

Score*

Definition

Lameness

1

Asymmetric gait, bearing weight on all limbs

 

2

Avoiding weight-bearing on one or more limbs

Dermatitis

1

Superficial, hyperaemic, slightly Exudative lesion of the digital/interdigital skin

 

2

Exudative, slightly ulcerative lesion with thickening of the skin

 

3

Ulcerative, spontaneously bleeding lesion with thickening of the skin and great pain

Heel-horn erosion

1

Slight defects of the horn integrity, pits and small fissures

 

2

V-shaped fissures or craters of the heel/bulb not affecting corium

 

3

V-shaped profound fissures or craters affecting corium of the heel/bulb

Haemorrhages of the white line

1

Slight haemorrhagic discoloration

 

2

Moderate haemorrhage on a single spot or several superficial haemorrhages covering > 20% of the white line

 

3

Profound haemorrhage on a single spot or extensive haemorrhagic discoloration covering > 50% of the white line

Haemorrhages of the sole

1

Slight haemorrhagic discoloration

 

2

Moderate haemorrhage on a single spot or several superficial haemorrhages covering > 20% of the sole surface

 

3

Profound haemorrhage on a single spot or extensive haemorrhagic discoloration covering > 50% of the sole

Sole ulcer

1

Exposed, unaffected corium

 

2

Granulation tissue, necrosis, purulent exudates and separation of the sole horn

 

3

As score 2 with additional affection of the deeper structures of the claw

White-line fissure

1

Fissure, which disappear with deep cut beneath normal trimming level

 

2

Deep fissure perforating next to the corium of sole or wall

 

3

Corium is affected with purulent exudates, eventually with necrosis, granulation tissue and separation of the wall and/or sole

  1. * Lameness: score 1 = moderate, score 2 = severe. Claw lesions: score 1 = mild, score 2 = moderate, score 3 = severe. Absence of lameness or claw lesions: no notation