Toe Amputation in a Heifer

Dr. David A. Rustebakke

​This heifer was presented with a severe lameness in the left hind leg; examination revealed a draining tract at the coronet that extended into the coffin joint, the joint inside the hoof.  This is a  fairly common cause of lameness in cattle either from puncture wounds in the foot, or an extension from hoof rot.  The infection, if not treated, can easily extend into the coffin joint.  In the horse, a coffin joint infection is generally a death sentence as they are not amenable to treatment due to the inaccessability inside the hoof.  And horses do not have a spare.  Cattle are fortunate as they have two hooves (claws) on each leg; if one gets infected it can be removed, the healthy hoof can actually support the entire weight of the animal, and they can have a long and productive life in spite of a toe amputation.  The following video will show the procedure.  The animal is restrained in a chute, the foot is anesthetized with a local anesthetic, and a tourniquet is applied above the amputation site.  The hoof is then removed with a wire saw. You can see there is no pain to the animal during the procedure.  The stump is bandaged to control hemorrhage and keep it clean till healing can begin.  After a week or two depending on how it is doing, the bandage is removed and the animal is allowed to rejoin her pasture mates.   This hoof was removed on December 14, three weeks later she is completely healed and walking without a limp.