Ultrasonographic and macroscopic comparison of the thickness of the capsule, corium, and soft tissues in bovine claws: an in vitro study

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to compare thickness of the capsule, corium, and soft tissues measured ultrasonographically and macroscopically in selected regions of bovine claws. A hundred and twenty claws (n = 120) of 15 healthy Holstein bovines were obtained. After cleaning the claws, ultrasonographic measurement of the capsule, corium, and soft tissues was performed while submerging the claws in a water bath. Macroscopic measurements were taken after cutting of the claws axially. These values were compared statistically. According to the macroscopic measurements, the mean thickness +/- standard deviation (SD) of the capsule for dorsal wall and sole was 6.2 +/- 0.1 and 9.5 +/- 0.4 mm, respectively. The thickness of the corium and soft tissues for dorsal wall and sole was 4.5 +/- 0.1 and 5.3 +/- 0.1 mm, respectively. Ultrasonographically, the mean thickness +/- SD of the capsule for dorsal wall and sole was 4.7 +/- 0.1 and 7.8 +/- 0.3 mm, respectively. The thickness of the corium and soft tissues for dorsal wall and sole was 4.3 +/- 0.1 and 5.9 +/- 0.2 mm, respectively. Findings demonstrated that ultrasonography can be reliably to measure of the thickness of the hoof capsule, corium, and soft tissue in bovine claw.