An attempt was made to evaluate the therapeutic effect of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) for ulcers of the hooves of 120 cattle affected with foot and mouth disease (FMD). Each hoof was cleaned and washed with water before using the TCA spray (2%) for one time only. Biopsies were taken from the soft tissue lesions before and 10 days after treatment. These tissue specimens were processed routinely for histopathological examination. A marked improvement was seen in the pain inflicted by palpation of the affected hoof. Microscopically, coagulative necrosis of the soft tissue of the hoof was seen. An advanced stage of healing of the hoof ulcers was observed at the 10^th post–treatment day. It was concluded that 2% TCA was effective for the treatment of ulcers of the hooves of cattle affected with FMD.

Key words: Cattle; Foot and mouth disease; Treatment; Trichloroacetic acid; Ulcers