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Corolla phlegmon in a cow is a purulent inflammation of the hoof corolla and the adjacent skin area. This disease is quite common in cattle, as a rule, it occurs as a result of an injury to the animal’s hoof.
Causes of the disease
Often, after grazing in the pasture, the cow limps slightly. An inexperienced farmer may not pay attention to this, believing that the reason is a small scratch. But, it would seem, such a frivolous problem can lead to complications if the wound is not treated in a timely manner.
Corolla phlegmon is formed after infection. This also happens with significant damage: fracture, crack, prolonged compression of nerve endings. Often during grazing cows move through the mud, and in the stalls they are sometimes in unsanitary conditions. This provokes the appearance of ulcers, cracks in the hooves.
If we add a weak immune system to these reasons, then phlegmon will appear as a complication after infection.
The causative agents of phlegmon in cows are staphylococci, streptococci, E. coli. All these microorganisms are found on the cow’s hooves and are completely harmless until there is an entrance gate for infection – wounds or other injuries on the cow’s limbs. Then there is inflammation of the corolla.
Sometimes phlegmon is caused by more complex and dangerous infections, for example, foot and mouth disease, pododermatitis.
Phlegmon flows in different ways. Sometimes the disease manifests itself in the form of a small abscess. Timely autopsy and some therapeutic measures lead to a quick recovery. It happens that microorganisms penetrate deeply: into the subcutaneous tissue, into the base of the skin of the corolla, the border, then into the hairy area above the corolla, the interdigital gap. This development of the disease is considered very complex, it proceeds quite hard.
Corolla phlegmon symptoms
The disease develops rapidly. As a rule, one of the first signs is the limping of a cow when moving, swelling that appears on the corolla. When pressed, the cow groans and shudders.
Other signs of corolla phlegmon:
- the damaged hoof is hot, the horny tissue exfoliates;
- an increase in the interdigital gap;
- lameness when moving;
- lack of appetite;
- increased body temperature;
- increased heart rate, shortness of breath;
- poor general condition of the animal;
- drop in milk yield;
- the cow lies more, when trying to get up she sways, tries not to lean on the diseased limb.
A green liquid is found in the subcutaneous layer of the corolla. The swelling falls on the walls of the hoof and toe. This area becomes painful and hard. If you start treatment immediately, the relief of the cow’s condition will come in a week.
This is how the corolla phlegmon manifests itself in the initial stage of the disease – serous.
At the abscessing stage, an abscess develops. If it is opened in a timely manner, the animal recovers. If not, the infection affects the skin and interhoof gap. A purulent-bloody exudate appears, necrosis of all layers of the skin develops.
At the putrefactive stage of the disease, tissues die off and exfoliate, ulcers form.
Depending on the affected area, phlegmon is divided into paraarticular (develops in the toe part of the hoof) and perichondral (heel part).
Diagnosis of the disease
The examination begins with an examination of the cow’s hooves. First determine the shape and see how much the hoof has grown. Then, injuries (wounds, ulcers, scratches) are found in the area of the corolla. When examining the joints, their mobility is checked. You should also check the temperature of the diseased organ by touching it with your hand. In the inflammatory process in the area of damage, it is increased.
More precisely, the disease can be determined by a blood test. As with any inflammatory process, the number of leukocytes in the blood increases. This indicates the formation of leukocyte neutrophilia. This is usually observed with the development of latent inflammation, the development of purulent processes. Such leukocytosis indicates an excessive focus of inflammation.
The final diagnosis is made after determining the cause of the disease. If the cause of the development of corolla phlegmon is the occurrence of another disease, then the method of treatment will be non-standard. First, the doctor will have to treat the underlying disease.
In addition to the classical diagnosis of corolla phlegmon, arthropuncture of the coffin joint can be done. The procedure consists in taking fluid from the affected area with a needle. The fluid is examined in the laboratory, after which an accurate diagnosis is made.
Treatment of corolla phlegmon in a cow
After confirmation of the disease, treatment should be prescribed immediately.
First of all, it is necessary to transfer the cow to a separate stall, to isolate the calf from her. Lay clean straw on it, constantly changing it if necessary.
On the diseased area, you should carefully remove the hair, reduce the stratum corneum so that it does not press on the affected area. Next, treat the corolla area with iodine, chlorhexidine, furacillin solution.
A compress with ichthyol or camphor alcohol can be applied to the site of inflammation to speed up the discharge of pus. The dressing is changed as it dries. The use of ichthyol ointment is also shown.
From injections, penicillin is prescribed intramuscularly to relieve inflammation and novocaine. Sometimes a circular blockade is carried out, injecting these preparations slightly above the affected area. This can be done once every two days. You can make injections in the area above the interhoof gap.
To speed up the healing process, a solution of calcium chloride and camphor serum are prescribed.
If the infection has become severe, surgical intervention is performed, incising the most dense areas with a scalpel, removing all dead cells. Next, a lotion is applied with a solution of sodium chloride and treated with hydrogen peroxide. You can apply antibiotic powder and apply a sterile bandage.
Prognosis and prevention
The prognosis is favorable with high-quality and timely treatment.
Preventive measures should be aimed at regular, daily inspection of the cow’s hooves, especially after a walk. If injuries are detected, immediately treat with any antiseptic. Pay attention to the maintenance of the cow – the corral should be clean, the litter should be changed regularly. It is imperative to carry out timely cleaning and trimming of hooves.
It is important to review the cow’s diet and add vitamin supplements to the feed.
Conclusion
Corolla phlegmon in a cow is a complex, rapidly developing disease that can lead to adverse consequences. It can be avoided if you treat the animal responsibly and treat all infectious diseases in a timely manner.