The scientific problem as to the spread of distal extremity section diseases in cows on the farms of Poltava, Donetsk, Kharkiv and Sumy regions (Ukraine) was theoretically generalized and experimentally solved in the thesis. The peculiarities of the clinical development of the revealed pathologies were determined. The methods of diagnostics were worked through, in particular, the evaluation of the local clinical symptoms, movement activity, and visual diagnostics. The clinical efficacy of local action means for the treatment of cows in case of distal extremity section pathology was investigated, the economic expediency of their use was determined.
According to the results of the conducted studies, it was found that orthopedic pathology of cows is a widespread problem on market dairy farms of Poltava region. The percentage of diagnosed orthopedic pathology in cows varies from 1.3 to 16.4%. The largest number of diseased animals was diagnosed on the farms of Kharkiv and Poltava regions – at the level of 13.3 and 9.1%, respectively. Considerably fewer cows suffering from orthopedic pathology were found in Donetsk and Sumy regions where their number made 3.0 and 6.3%, respectively.
Motellaro’s disease turned out to be the most widespread pathology. Its share made 57.7% of the total number of cows suffering from orthopedic pathology. Aseptic, purulent pododermatites and Rusterholz ulcer were revealed more seldom among the diseases of the distal extremity section in cows; the share of these orthopedic pathologies made 26.2%, 14.6% and 13.6% of the total number of orthopedic diseased animals. Inter-digital dermatites and traumatic lesions in the area of the distal extremity section in cows were diagnosed the least of all; their share did not exceed 7.0%.
Among the revealed pathologies, the upsetting of the hoof horn growth, deformation of the hoof’s form, exfoliation of the white line, papillomatosis digital dermatitis, ulcers and abscesses were also registered.
It was found that the pathologies of the distal extremity section in 100% of the examined cows were localized on hind legs. Lateral hooves were mainly affected irrespective of the formation of pathological processes on the right or left hind leg. According to the results of clinical studies, the surgical pathology in cows is accompanied by the formation of the local purulent inflammation and development of the medium degree lameness (in 66.6% of animals). The appearance of the severe degree lameness was found in 16.6% of cows.
“Hofmir” device and the algorithm of diagnosing the pathologies of the distal extremity section in cows were approbated. A selfi-stick having the function of Bluetooth and a 20 cm long ruler to determine the equal distance from the hoof to the smartphone are mounted on the proposed device. Photographic images obtained as a result of work were processed with the help of “Angle Meter” program (the measuring of the hoof angle).
It was elucidated that the average value of the toe angle on the lateral hoof was by 17.7% and on the median hoof – by 20.0% higher in comparison with the reference values. More differences were found on the left hind leg. In particular, the deviation from the reference values on the lateral hoof made 26.6% and on the median hoof – 22.2%. Using the “the method of large options” formula, the average value of hind legs’ angles for the examined cows was calculated. It was determined that the angle indicator for the right extremity made 54.20 and 550 – for the left extremity.
The expediency of using the method of the preparation fixation for the treatment of orthopedic pathology in cows was substantiated and experimentally proved. The method provides for putting a packet containing the preparation onto the hoof sole, winding round the packet with gauze rag and gauze bandage and putting 48 mm wide armed scotch tape on the top. The armed scotch tape ensures an excellent adhesion to the surface, which prevents from the falling of the gauze bandage and holds it well together with the preparation in the distal extremity section. The proposed method ensures a reliable fixation of the preparation on the animal’s distal extremity section in case of orthopedic pathology.
Biochemical examination of blood serum samples enabled to find out that in case of purulent lesions in the toe area of cows, the negative changes in separate blood serum indicators took place (the content of carotene, total protein, total calcium, inorganic phosphorus and acid content).In comparison with clinically healthy cows, considerably lower values of carotene content (by 43.2%, р<0.01), the content of total calcium (by5.2 %, р<0.05), the content of inorganic phosphorus (by 5.2 %, р<0.05), and acid content (by12.8 %, р<0.05) were found in the serum of the diseased cows. Together with the above mentioned changes in the blood serum of the diseased animals, the indicator of total protein tended to increase.
