Visual methods for studying pathologies of the hoof in cattle

The article presents the results of visual research methods for various pathologies of hooves in cattle in industrial animal husbandry. For the research, 40 lactating cows with signs of nonspecific pododermatitis, laminitis, and pathologies of the hooves associated with their deformities were selected. The results of thermographic studies have shown that the pathology of hooves with lesions of deep tissue structures is characterized by the presence of clearly delimited areas of elevated temperature, localized mainly in the corolla region. In addition, a local increase in temperature was observed in the area of the pastern and the arch of the interdigital gap. At the same time, the areas of foci of local hyperthermia are most pronounced when examining the hooves from the dorsal side. On the volar and plantar sides of the hooves, thermographic signs differ mainly in a diffuse rather than localized nature, but with some pathologies of the white line, temperature changes may appear along its course. X-ray examination of hoof pathologies, in most cases, shows signs of irreversible bone and joint changes of various types, which ultimately causes the culling of an animal from a productive livestock.