Search Results (14)

Backyard chickens often suffer from foot pad dermatitis (FPD), a condition exacerbated by poor husbandry, nutritional deficiencies, and obesity. Pressure-relieving bandages, commonly used in the treatment of FPD, are impractical for outdoor chickens as they quickly become wet and dirty, necessitating daily changes that are often unfeasible. This retrospective study explores the use of custom-fit silicone shoes created via 3D-printed molds as an alternative to traditional bandages. CT scans were used to design shoes adapted from a design used for birds of prey. Over three years, 16 chickens with varying degrees of FPD were treated. The results demonstrated that silicone shoes were an effective treatment for FPD, allowing outdoor activity and facilitating daily lesion care without frequent bandage changes. The median shoe-wearing period was 14 days, and most owners provided positive feedback. Despite some attachment issues, the occurrence of secondary pressure marks, and feather regrowth challenges, the silicone shoes offered better ventilation, reusability, and consistent pressure relief compared to traditional bandages. This study concludes that silicone shoes are a viable solution for managing FPD in backyard chickens, promoting faster healing and improving owner compliance. Full article

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), particularly those with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), have a high prevalence of cardiovascular disease and peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Medical treatment is mainly based on risk factor management, and the surgical approach remains the gold standard treatment in specific conditions. Heparin-mediated extracorporeal low-density lipoprotein precipitation (H.E.L.P.) apheresis is effective in reducing circulating lipoprotein, fibrinogen, inflammatory mediators and procoagulant factors, thereby reducing cardiovascular risk in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia. These activities may be effective in reducing symptoms and ischemic vascular lesions even in patients with severe PAD. We reported the application of a treatment protocol with H.E.L.P. apheresis in an ESRD patient with severe PAD without clinical improvement after severe revascularization who was not suitable for further surgical approaches, despite normal LDL cholesterol and lipoprotein (a). The H.E.L.P. protocol was characterized by an intensive first phase with weekly treatments followed by a single session every 10–15 days for 6 months of treatment. The overall clinical condition, foot lesions and walking distance improved significantly after the first 2 months of treatment, and foot amputation was avoided. Here, we review the main pathogenetic mechanisms through which LDL apheresis improves microcirculation and clinical outcomes. Its wider application may represent an optimal therapeutic option for patients unresponsive to standard treatment. Full article

The study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, characteristics and outcomes of patients affected by Charcot neuro-arthropathy (CN) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) compared to CN without PAD. Consecutive patients presenting with an acute CN were included. The sample size was calculated by the power analysis by adopting the two-tailed tests of the null hypothesis with alfa = 0.05 and a value of beta = 0.10 as the second type error and, therefore, a test power equal to 90%. Seventy-six patients were identified. Twenty-four patients (31.6%) had neuro-ischaemic CN; they were older (66 vs. 57yrs), p = 0.03, had a longer diabetes duration (19 vs. 14yrs), p < 0.001, and more cases of end-stage-renal-disease (12.5 vs. 0%), p = 0.04 and ischaemic heart disease (58.3 vs. 15.4%), p < 0.0001 than neuropathic CN. Fifty patients (65.8%) had concomitant foot ulcers, 62.5% and 67.3% (p = 0.3), respectively, in CN with and without PAD. Neuro-ischaemic CN show arterial lesions of 2.9 vessels, and PAD was located predominantly below-the-knee (75%) but not below-the-ankle (16.7%). The outcomes for neuro-ischaemic and neuropathic CN patients were, respectively: wound healing (86.7 vs. 94.3%), p = 0.08; minor amputation (25 vs. 7.7%), p = 0.003; major amputation (8.3 vs. 1.9%), p = 0.001; hospitalization (75 vs. 23%), p = 0.0001. The study showed a frequent association between CN and PAD, leading to a neuro-ischaemic Charcot foot type. Neuro-ischaemic CN leaded to an increased risk of minor and major amputation and hospitalization, compared to neuropathic CN. Full article

The author has worked as a consultant with global commercial supply managers for over 20 years. The focus of this commentary will be practical application of The Five Domains Model in commercial systems. Commercial buyers of meat need simple easy-to-use guidelines. They have to use auditors that can be trained in a workshop that lasts for only a few days. Auditing of slaughter plants by major buyers has resulted in great improvements. Supply chain managers need clear guidance on conditions that would result in a failed audit. Animal based outcome measures that can be easily assessed should be emphasized in commercial systems. Some examples of these key animal welfare indicators are: percentage of animals stunned effectively with a single application of the stunner, percentage of lame animals, foot pad lesions on poultry, and body condition scoring. A farm that supplies a buyer must also comply with housing specifications. The farm either has the specified housing or does not have it. It will be removed from the approved supplier list if housing does not comply. These types of easy to assess indicators can be easily evaluated within the four domains of nutrition, environment, health and behavioral interactions. The Five Domains Framework can also be used in a program for continuous improvement of animal welfare. Full article

The aims of this study were to assess changes in tissue perfusion up to 6 weeks after endovascular therapy (EVT), in hospital and at home, and to determine differences in tissue perfusion between patients with and without clinical improvement or good angiographic result. This single-center prospective cohort study included patients undergoing EVT for Rutherford stages two to six. Hyperspectral and thermal imaging were performed at the dorsal and plantar sides of the foot. These measurements consisted of a baseline measurement pre-EVT, and six follow-up measurements obtained at 1 and 4 h and 6 weeks in hospital, and 1 day, 7 days, and 14 days at home. Clinical improvement was defined as a decrease of one or more Rutherford class or decrease in the wound surface area and a good angiographic result was accomplished when a Transatlantic Inter-Society Consensus for the Management of PAD II C or D lesion was treated and uninterrupted flow continued in at least one below-the-knee artery in continuation with the inframalleolar arteries. The study included 34 patients with 41 treated limbs. Deoxyhemoglobin values were lower 1 h post-EVT compared with baseline and increased over time up to 6 weeks post-EVT. Significant differences in deoxyhemoglobin levels at 7 and 14 days post-EVT were determined between patients with and without clinical or angiographic success. This prospective pilot study shows the feasibility of hyperspectral imaging and thermal imaging post-EVT at home, which may decrease the need for hospital visits. Full article

This is a case report of a 5.6 cm glomangioma supplied by the femoral profunda artery in a 66-year-old male patient with severe peripheral artery disease. The patient complained of discomfort and mild pain at the place of the lesion and an accelerated growth rate in the last two months. A nodular mass located laterally on the left foot, elastic, covered with a thin skin, and mobile, was noted on the clinical exam. Doppler exam demonstrated an active vascular supply. CT angiography showed a femoral profunda artery blood supply and a severe asymptomatic bilateral peripheral artery disease (PAD). The lesion was removed entirely by surgery. A microscopy exam revealed a glomangioma. After surgery, the patient recovered unevenly. However, the patient experienced wound-healing issues that resolved after four weeks of surgery. Although the patient’s PAD was severe, the lesion presented with a burst in dimensions weeks before surgery. Full article

Diabetic neuropathy and Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) are the main etiological factors in foot ulceration. Herein, we report our experience of diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) management, with an analysis of the relationship between the rate of lower extremity amputation, in persons with infected DFU, after revascularization procedures performed to prevent major amputation. This study highlights the role of different biomarkers, showing their usefulness and potentiality in diabetic foot ulcer management, especially for the early diagnosis and therapy effectiveness monitoring. A retrospective analysis, from September 2016 to January 2021, of diabetic patients presenting diabetic foot with DFU, was performed. All patients were treated with at least one vascular procedure (endovascular, open, hybrid procedures) targeting PAD lesions. Outcomes measured were perioperative mortality and morbidity. Freedom from occlusion, primary and secondary patency, and amputation rate were registered. A total of 267 patients, with a mean age of 72.5 years, were included in the study. The major amputation rate was 6.2%, minor amputation rate was 17%. In our experience, extreme revascularization to obtain direct flow reduced the rate of amputations, with an increase in ulcer healing. Full article

The assessment of foot pad dermatitis at slaughter is a suitable method to assess and monitor the welfare of broilers. The goals of this study were to define and validate a camera-based score that could identify macroscopic lesions of the foot pads, to identify errors, and to assess possible external factors that could influence the assessment. In the first phase 200 feet of broilers and in the second phase 500 feet were collected at slaughter, assessed visually, hung back into the evisceration line, and assessed by an automatic system. The camera score cut-off values were defined in the first (=calibration) phase. In the second (=validation) phase, the performance of diagnosis for these cut-off values was evaluated, and possible errors in the assessment of reference surface area and foot pad lesions were analyzed. The results showed that, in particular, Macro Scores 0, 2, and 3 could be identified with sufficiently high sensitivity. For Macro Score 1, the sensitivity of diagnosis was not sufficiently high in the two evaluated software versions. The current automatic assessment systems at slaughter could be adjusted to the cut-off values in order to classify foot pad dermatitis lesions. Furthermore, software updates can enhance the performance measures and lower the probability of errors. Full article

Exogenous carbohydrases are commonly added to monogastric animal feed to degrade non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) to improve zootechnical performance and nutrient digestion. In the current study, the effects of dietary supplementation of a new, intrinsically thermostable, monocomponent xylanase on intestinal parameters, zootechnical performance and carcass traits of broilers were evaluated. A total of 720 1-day-old broilers were randomly allotted to four wheat-based diets with different levels of xylanase (T1: control; T2: 30,000 U/g; T3: 45,000 U/g; T4: 90,000 U/g) and fed from 1 to 35 days of age. The data showed that xylanase supplementation reduced the intestinal viscosity significantly, especially in the ileum. Duodenum and cecum pH was not influenced by xylanase supplementation, while T3 treatment showed the lowest pH value in jejunum and ileum. Xylanase supplementation reduced significantly feed conversion ratio (FCR) without affecting feed intake (FI). T2 treatment exhibited a higher body weight gain (BWG) compared the other treatments. Live weight, carcass weight, legs, and liver weight were significantly higher in T3 and T4 treatments compared to T1. No significant differences on foot pad lesions were observed among the four treatments. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of this new xylanase significantly improves intestinal tract viscosity and affects beneficially broilers’ performance and carcass traits. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the possibility of rearing newly hatched chicks with immediate access to feed and water in the same hatching unit one week prior to transferring them to the conventional broiler house with special regards to foot pad health and growth performance. Two trials were performed with a total of 6900/6850 (trials 1/2) broiler chickens (ROSS 308). A total of 3318/3391 chicks (trials 1/2) were transported from the hatchery (duration of about 3 h) and reared in a conventional broiler house (control group: delayed nutrition on-hatchery hatched). The control group did not receive any form of nutrition until they were taken to conventional broiler housing. Additionally, a total of 3582/3459 (trials 1/2) embryonated eggs (d 18) were obtained from the same parent flock of the same commercial hatchery and taken to the farm facility. After on-farm hatch, the chicks had immediate access to water and feed (experimental group: early nutrition on-farm hatched). After d 6/7 of life, the on-farm hatched chicks (trials 1/2) were transferred to the broiler house on the same facility. The delayed nutrition on-hatchery hatched groups displayed a significantly lower dry matter content in the litter compared to the early nutrition on-farm hatched groups (two-factorial analysis) at d 6/7 and d 14 of life. However, thereafter, no significant differences were noted. Based upon two-factorial analysis, the early nutrition on-farm hatched groups revealed lower foot pad lesions from d 14 of life onwards and showed a higher body weight (BW) throughout the rearing period compared to the delayed nutrition on-hatchery hatched groups (p < 0.05). Overall, early nutrition on-farm hatched chickens is of critical importance together with using new litter at d 7 to maintain healthy foot pads as well as to enhance nutrient utilization and optimize the growth performance. Full article

The study aimed to evaluate clinical and vascular characteristics, as well as outcomes, for diabetic persons with foot ulceration and no-option critical limb ischemia (CLI). The study group included a sample of patients admitted to our diabetic foot unit because of a new diabetic foot ulcer and CLI. All subjects were managed using a limb salvage protocol which includes lower-limb revascularization. According to whether or not the revascularization procedure was a success, patients were respectively divided into two groups: successfully treated CLI patients (ST-CLI) and no-option CLI patients (NO-CLI). Failed revascularization was considered in the case of technical recanalization failure of occluded vessels (inability to overcome the obstruction) and/or absence of arterial flow to the foot. Limb salvage, major amputation, and death after 1 year of follow-up were evaluated and compared between the two groups. Overall, 239 patients were included, 74.9% belonging to ST-CLI and 25.1% to NO-CLI. NO-CLI patients reported more cases of ischemic heart disease (80 vs. 62.1, p = 0.008), heart failure (63.3 vs. 32.4%, p < 0.0001), and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) (60 vs. 25.7%) than ST-CLI patients. In addition, more vessels were affected in the NO-CLI group (5.2 ± 1.6 vs. 4 ± 1.5, p < 0.0001), and there was more involvement of tibio-peroneal trunk (50 vs. 30.2%, p = 0.006), anterior tibial (93.3 vs. 82.7, p = 0.03), posterior tibial (93.3 vs. 73.7%, p = 0.0005), peroneal (70 vs. 48%, p = 0.002), and below-the-ankle arteries (73.3 vs. 39.1%, p < 0.0001) than ST-CLI. The 1 year outcomes for the whole population were 69.9% limb salvage, 10.9% major amputation, and 19.2% death. The outcomes for NO-CLI and ST-CLI were, respectively, as follows: limb salvage (13.8 vs. 73.4%, p < 0.0001), amputation (30 vs. 4.5%, p = 0.0001), and mortality (50 vs. 8.9%, p < 0.0001). NO-CLI patients showed a more severe pattern of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) with distal arterial lesions and worse outcomes than ST-CLI. Full article

This study examines poultry production stocking density (SD) effect on bird welfare and economic performance. It is based on a large dataset from commercial production including observations for 2.2 million male broilers and 2.3 million female broilers from 37 production sites, with SD ranging from 20.63 kg/m² to 41.15 kg/m². The data collection was originally motivated by a processor’s economic concerns that increasing SD could cause slower broiler growth, higher condemnations, and lower grade meat. The data was examined using several linear regressions to determine how production parameters impacted these performance indicators. Results regarding foot pad lesion, condemnations, and mortality rates are consistent with those found in the literature. However, we find that daily weight gain is positively associated with SD, contrasting with past experimental results. The difference between the scope of commercial and experimental productions is discussed as a possible reason for these conflicting results. Full article

In Germany, an animal welfare ordinance for the housing of rabbits was issued which did not take into account the current investigations on floor design. The aim of the investigations was to study the effects of floor design on dirtiness and occurrence of lesions on the legs of growing rabbits. A total of 1837 weaned rabbits, kept on four different floor designs, were examined for body lesions and the dirtiness of the soles of the feet at the end of the growing period. Two four-stage scoring systems (0–3) were used to record the dirtiness and the lesions on the feet. A floor according to the provisions of the German animal protection ordinance (10 mm slat width; 50% perforation on floor area; <15% perforation on the elevated platform) led to the most polluted and injured rabbits. The best cleanliness and the lowest injury rate of the growing rabbits was achieved on a plastic floor with 5 mm slat width and 13 mm slot width, both on the ground and elevated platform (75% perforation). The requirements of the German housing regulations on the floor for growing rabbits do not correspond to animal welfare. Full article

In a long term research project in Germany the influence of husbandry on the health of fattening turkeys (Study 1) as well as the influence of practiced rearing conditions on the health of turkey poults (Study 2) was examined in 24 farms and at the meat processing plant. In all examined rearing farms, litter samples for the determination of litter moisture were taken. This paper summarizes the results obtained by our working group from 2007 until 2012. The results elucidate the universal problem of foot pad dermatitis (FPD). Nearly 100% of the observed turkeys showed a clinically apparent FPD at the meat processing plant. Furthermore, skin lesions of the breast, especially breast buttons were diagnosed, particularly at the slaughterhouse. FPD was detected in the first week of the rearing phase. Prevalence and degree showed a progressive development up to the age of 22–35 days, whereas 63.3% of the poults had foot pad alterations. As even mild alterations in the foot pad condition can be indicators for suboptimal design of the rearing environment, especially high litter moisture, it is important to focus on the early rearing phase. Full article