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Infectious and non-infectious (mixed) claw horn lesions in cows
Mixed lesions usually occur when a claw horn lesion becomes infected. However, an infection can lead to claw horn lesions, so prompt treatment is essential.
Back to: Lesions of cows’ feet
Success factors
All four success factors are needed to treat these complex lesions.
![1. 2.](https://projectblue.blob.core.windows.net/media/Default/Dairy/Lesions/FourKeySucessFactors.jpg)
It is important to remember that your vet is there to support you and help with difficult cases.
Secondarily infected lesions
These include white line disease (WLD) and sole ulcers (SU).
Description
- These are lesions which do not heal despite competent trimming and blocking
- The primary lesion is usually a claw horn lesion which has become secondarily infected, typically with digital dermatitis bacteria
- Toe necrosis is a separate example of a non-healing lesion, where the tip of the pedal bone has become infected
- Veterinary attention is necessary for non-healing lesions (unless culling) as surgical debridement or digit amputation are the treatments of choice, which both require local anaesthesia
Typical risks
- These conditions stem from an initial claw horn lesion, so attention to those risk factors is important
Associated success factors: 2 and 4 - Non-healing lesions/difficult-to-cure lesions often involve secondary digital dermatitis infection on the exposed corium (quick), so attention to infection pressure is important. Other bacteria are involved too
Associated success factors: 1 - Slow reaction to treat the lesions, or ineffective initial treatment, is often the underlying reason why claw horn lesions become infected
Associated success factors: 3
![a close-up of a fish](https://projectblue.blob.core.windows.net/media/Default/Dairy/Lesions/Non healing WLD (resaved).jpg)
![](https://projectblue.blob.core.windows.net/media/Default/Dairy/Lesions/Non-healing lesion Pic.jpg)
White line abscesses, under-run sole and wall ulcers
Description
- White line disease with infection causing pus
- Pus usually eventually escapes (‘bursts out’) at the coronary band or the heel bulb if not treated promptly
Under-run sole
Description
- These occur most commonly from a white line abscess whereby build-up of pus has caused separation of the sole horn from the underlying corium
- May also be secondary to infected sole ulcers, again with build-up of pus. Sometimes multiple layers of under-run soles (or ‘false soles’) occur
Wall ulcer
Description
- This is the colloquial term for a white line abscess which has burst out at the coronary band, exposing the underlying corium; often become secondarily infected and become a non-healing lesion, sometimes with protruding granulation tissue (‘proud flesh’)
Typical risks
- These conditions all (usually) stem from an initial white line disease, so all the factors are important
Associated success factors: 2 and 4 - Infected white lines with delayed healing can be associated with superimposed DD infections
Associated success factors: 1, 3 and 4 - Slow detection and treatment of early lameness
Associated success factors: 3 - Poor treatment protocol or technique
Associated success factors: 3 - Poor acclimatisation to concrete floors
Associated success factors: 2
![a shoe on the ground](https://projectblue.blob.core.windows.net/media/Default/Dairy/Lesions/WL lesion - secondary DD developed into non-lealing CHL (WL abscess) resaved.jpg)
![](https://projectblue.blob.core.windows.net/media/Default/Dairy/Lesions/WLD with under-run sole (abscess burst at the heel - probe) resaved.jpg)
Useful links
Lameness in cows: when to involve the vet
Lameness in cattle: infectious lesions
Lesion recognition and troubleshooter guide
If you would like to order a hard copy of the Lesion recognition trouble shooter guide, please contact publications@ahdb.org.uk or call 0247 799 0069.