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Slurry/heel erosion.
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Slurry heel or heel erosion is associated with interdigital dermatitis. The cause is multifactorial with a bacterial component superficial. The skin becomes greyish, sweaty, smelly with no obvious lameness. The inflammation extends to the heel and erodes it, V-shaped fissures appear and poor-quality black horn is produced.
There is a reduction of horn production at the heel and an increase in horn production elsewhere in the hoof: lengthening, sometimes with elevation. Regular foot bathing helps to improve horn quality and reduce the incidence of slurry/heel erosion.
Mild lameness may appear and various complications arise such as:
• Double or false sole.
• bruised sole
• sole ulcer
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