[Measurement of temperature generation in the corium of bovine claws during claw trimming with an angle grinder using different grinding and cutting disks].
On 80 bovine hindclaws from slaughtered cows a correct functional claw trimming (sole horn thickness 5 mm; group 1) and on further 80 hindclaws a standardised, incorrect claw trimming (sole horn thickness 2 mm; group 2) was performed using 4 different disks (one cutting, three grinding disks). Two thermocouples were inserted into the solar corium and the heat production on the corium was measured during claw trimming. During correct functional claw trimming with each of the 4 disks a temperature increase in the corium with a median of < or = 0.3 degrees C was calculated. During incorrect claw trimming (2 mm sole horn thickness) a temperature increase with a median of < or = 0.3 degrees C for the first three disks was determined. During claw trimming using the abrasive semiflexible plastic disk a median of 1.3 degrees C temperature increase was calculated. Comparison of the temperatures measured in the claws from group 1 and 2 showed a statistically significant difference between all four disks. Comparison of the temperature increase within each group (group 1 and 2) revealed a statistically significant difference between the cutting disk with steel blades and the abrasive, semiflexible plastic disk in both groups. The highest temperatures measured were 41.5 degrees C in group 1 using the disk with 70% amount of fitted hard metal granulate, and 42.2 degrees C in group 2 (temperature increase of 10.6 degrees C) using the abrasive semiflexible plastic disk. Under the experimental conditions of this study, only a very slight thermogenesis was found when a functional and correct claw trimming using the 4 tested disks was performed. This slight thermogenesis should not be able to cause thermic injury of the corium. By trimming the sole horn incorrectly (2 mm) the measured heat generation in the corium was minor, without danger of thermic insult, excepted for using the disk with a 70% amount of fitted hard metal granulate and the abrasive semiflexible plastic disk. Even, it is unlikely that a short term temperature increase of 10.6 degrees C can cause thermic insults of the solar corium.
Jantscher
Hermann
H
Klinisches Department für Kleintiere und Pferde, Universitätsklinik für Orthopädie bei Huf- und Klauentieren, Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wien, Wien, Osterreich.
Kofler
Johann
J
Altenbrunner-Martinek
Birgit
B
Schobesberger
Hermann
H
Haller
Jürgen
J
Windischbauer
Gerhard
G
D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D001831:Body Temperature; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D003612:Dairying / Q000379:methods; D005552:Forelimb / Q000502:physiology*; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000502:physiology*; D006724:Hoof and Claw