[Study of the vascular system of bovine hind limb claw by means of corrosion casting method]

The importance of vessel structure has been shown in pathogenesis of the equine and bovine laminitis. Investigation on vessel structures is necessary to diagnose the mechanism of laminitis. Due to lack of literature on ovine digital arteries. Ovine digital vessels were studied using corrosion casting method. The hind limbs of 15 lambs of 3 months ages were separated from tarsus joint. After the dissection of dorsal metatarsal artery, normal saline and resin metacrylat were injected into the vessels. In this species, the dorsal common digital artery and common plantar digital artery have the main function in blood supply. One branch runs to the heel bulb and the other runs to the axial wall and sole. The third branch of these arteries is responsible to blood supply of periople tissue. The common dorsal digital artery and abaxial proper digital artery drain all venous blood from the claw. The dorsal proper digital artery arises from the numerous smaller veins which are joined to form the deep and superficial venous networks of coronary margin and wall. This vein delivers blood to the common dorsal digital artery. The axial proper plantar vein drained into the abaxial proper plantar vein. Two main vessels which arise from venous network of wall, sole and plantar surface of the bulb, drain into the abaxial proper plantar vein

Anatomy of the hoof in sheep, a study to find proper hoof trimming indices

An anatomic study on ovine hoof to find a proper hoof trimming method was done. Fore and hind limbs of 15, two years old ewes. were studied all legs were transferred to vet college and divided by fore and hind limbs, left and right and lateral and medial digits. Toe height to ground and to the solar surface, heel height, sole length, toe length, toe length to the sensitive tissue, sole thickness in toe and heel region [cm] were measured. Toe angle was mathematically measured from toe height and toe length and toe to heel height was measured as well. All data were compared by t-test. Toe angle was significant in forelimbs [55. 09 +/- 8. 1] and hind limbs [50. 43 +/- 6. 9] and heel height was significantly different [3. 02 +/- 0. 33, 2. 36 +/- 0. 44] in the fore and hind limbs respectively. Although no statistical difference was recorded in the other results but some descriptive changes were recorded. Hoof grows to make an edge in the solar hoof wall that is slightly longer in hind limbs. Sole thickness in toe and heel regions of fore and hind limb was recorded as 0. 41 +/- 0. 12, 0. 82 +/- 0. 18 and 0. 37 +/- 0. 13, 0. 68 +/- 0. 17 respectively that was significantly higher in hind limbs. Hoof growth pattern in sheep is different from cow. Toe angle in fore and hind limb is slightly higher than cows. Lateral wall growth in solar region makes weight bearing surface of the hoof different from cows. 1. 2 of horny tissue of the hoof protects from sensitive underlying tissue that can make a satisfactory hoof trimming

Determination of the best toe length in cattle hoof trimming: an anatomic evaluation

Cattle lameness is one of the biggest problems dairy producers are facing today. Maybe regular hoof trimming is considered as one of the most efficient and easy way to save normal function of the hooves. According to Toussaint Raven method of functional hoof trimming, toe length is the most determinant of the procedure. Seventy mm from the coronary band at the toe region is considered as a safe distance for performing the first cut, but following this cut, lameness due to the trauma to sensitive tissue in some animals is a common problem. The current anatomic study was performed to determine the proper distance between cutting surface on dorsal wall of the hoof and coronary band. The distance between coronary band and the terminal margin of the sensitive tissue, after mid-sagittal section, considered as beta length. Three hundred hooves collected from slaughtered cattle were divided into three groups, according to the breed [A: registered Holstein, B: cross breed, C: native breed]. The most important determining factor in different breeds were their weight as animals in group A weighted more than 550 kg, Group B less than 550 and more than 400 and group C weighted less than 400 kg. Mean [mm] +/- SD of beta length were 62.2 +/- 8.46, 57.3 +/- 8.12 and 49.5 +/- 7.75 in groups A, B and C, respectively; which was significantly different from each other [P<0.05]. beta length in lateral digits were slightly longer than medial digits but the difference were not significant. With regard to upper limit of deviation in beta length it seems that 80 mm length is safer in registered Holstein cattle