Ultrasonographic alterations of bovine claws sole soft tissues associated with claw horn disruption lesions, body condition score and locomotion score in Holstein dairy cows

Claw Horn Disruption Lesions (CHDL) negatively affect the sole soft tissue structures located beneath the sole horn. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of CHDL on sole soft tissues by ultrasound means, correlating Body condition score (BCS), locomotion score and CHDL with ultrasonography evaluations of sole soft tissues in Holstein dairy cows. 100 Holstein dairy cows were enrolled in the study. BCS and locomotion score were assessed and functional trimming was performed on all animals. 84 healthy claws and 174 claws with solely one CHDL per claw were evaluated both clinically and with ultrasound, and CHDL were identified and recorded. Sole soft tissues thickness (mm) and echogenicity was determined, and ultrasonographic alterations, related to CHDL presence, where measured long their vertical (L1) and horizontal (L2) axis. Statistically significant (P < .001) differences were found in echogenicity between healthy claws and all the affected ones, with the healthy ones being mainly anechoic. Statistically significant (P < .001) differences were found for vertical (L1) and horizontal (L2) axis measures between the diverse CHDL, confirming ultrasonography as a useful tool to distinguish lesions and their extension by measuring L1 and L2. BCS had an influence both on sole soft tissues ultrasonographic appearance and on CHDL insurgency. These results confirm ultrasonography as a reliable tool for detecting an increase in sole soft tissues echogenicity, that was seen to occur with CHDL insurgency, and in determining lesion extension.