Laminitis in Dairy Cattle

The majority of hoof problems in the bovine species affect dairy cows. Proper nutrition management can lower the number of hoof problems in your dairy herd. Laminitis often is a result of a wide range of factors which include metabolic and digestive disorders; stress associated with parturition; mastitis; mertritis; hard or poorly bedded stalls; too little exercise; excessive body weight; and poor nutritional management.

It is generally accepted that the primary cause of laminitis in the dairy cow is rumen acidosis. Acidosis results either from a diet that contains too much starch or one that does not contain enough fiber. Starch in the rumen is broken down and produces lactic acid. When acidosis occurs, the level of lactic acid exceeds the capacity of the rumen microbes to metabolize it. The increase in acidity can kill populations of rumen microbes and this is thought to release toxins which are responsible for changes in the hoof. Since diet is a key trigger in laminitis, changing a cow’s ration is going to be necessary if the cow develops laminitis.

All cattle should have rations balanced for calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins. In particular, the addition of vitamins A and D to the dairy cow ration is essential for good bone and tissue health. Other helpful nutrient supplementation can come from zinc, copper, molybdenum, manganese, vitamin E, and biotin.

Nutrition plays a significant role in hoof disorders, and changes in the normal pattern of ruminal fermentation tremendously influence hoof health. Feed a total mixed ration (TMR) to regulate concentrate-to-forage ratio. Closely observe changes in forage moisture content and modify rations accordingly.

Successful feeding programs will maximize feed intake, minimize acidosis, while maximizing energy intake during lactation. This will allow for superior milk production and a decrease in diet caused laminitis in your dairy herd.

Concrete & Confinement in Dairy Cattle

Cows are not adapted to stand for extended periods on hard abrasive surfaces. Confinement on hard surfaces increase the weight load on the hooves. Housing on natural or cushioned surfaces reduces weight load. Hard surfaces tend to irritate the corium and accelerate hoof growth. Hoof overgrowth can lead to overloading of the affected claws and result in lameness. Confinement also restricts exercise, resulting in weak pasterns and wide spread claws.

A variety of housing and management factors appear to influence the amount of time cows spend standing versus resting. Obvious considerations are: number of stalls, stall design, matting, and amount of bedding. The incidence of lameness tends to be higher in free stalls than in straw yards. Excessive curb height, over 6 inches, inadequate bedding, and insufficient lunge space have all been linked to greater herd lameness.

Research has shown that cattle allowed to walk in single file have fewer cases of lameness than those that are rushed to the parlor and back. Cows should be allowed to move at their own pace over hard and rough surfaces. Moving at the herder’s pace causes foot problems, as well as contributing to injuries from falling or slipping.

Concrete is capable of creating an extremely abrasive surface for dairy cattle hooves. New concrete is harsher than old, and wet concrete is more abrasive than dry concrete. Animals on wet concrete suffer twice as much because the moisture also softens the hoof horn and promotes faster wear. On the other hand, smooth concrete floors increases traction; it is worth the expense.

The best preventative care for the bovine hoof is to allow cows to leave the concrete and exercise on dry lots or pasture for two to three hours per day. The dirt provides much more cushion and support than concrete. It also eases the pressure on joints, tendons, and ligaments in the legs. Unfortunately, exercise lots have a tendency to become muddy during periods of rain and snow. This can lead to heel erosion from softened horns.

Dairy Cows on Concrete and Confinement

Cows are not adapted to stand for extended periods on hard abrasive surfaces. Confinement on hard surfaces increase the weight load on the hooves. Housing on natural or cushioned surfaces reduces weight load. Hard surfaces tend to irritate the corium and accelerate hoof growth. Hoof overgrowth can lead to overloading of the affected claws and result in lameness. Confinement also restricts exercise, resulting in weak pasterns and wide spread claws.

A variety of housing and management factors appear to influence the amount of time cows spend standing versus resting. Obvious considerations are: number of stalls, stall design, matting, and amount of bedding. The incidence of lameness tends to be higher in free stalls than in straw yards. Excessive curb height, over 6 inches, inadequate bedding, and insufficient lunge space have all been linked to greater herd lameness.

Research has shown that cattle allowed to walk in single file have fewer cases of lameness than those that are rushed to the parlor and back. Cows should be allowed to move at their own pace over hard and rough surfaces. Moving at the herder’s pace causes foot problems, as well as contributing to injuries from falling or slipping.

Concrete is capable of creating an extremely abrasive surface for dairy cattle hooves. New concrete is harsher than old, and wet concrete is more abrasive than dry concrete. Animals on wet concrete suffer twice as much because the moisture also softens the hoof horn and promotes faster wear. On the other hand, smooth concrete floors increases traction; it is worth the expense.

The best preventative care for the bovine hoof is to allow cows to leave the concrete and exercise on dry lots or pasture for two to three hours per day. The dirt provides much more cushion and support than concrete. It also eases the pressure on joints, tendons, and ligaments in the legs. Unfortunately, exercise lots have a tendency to become muddy during periods of rain and snow. This can lead to heel erosion from softened horns.

Digital Dermatitis

In the past 15 year, digital dermatitis has evolved into a serious problem for the North American dairy industry. This disease is commonly called heel warts, hairy foot warts, strawberry foot disease, or raspberry heel. It is also known scientifically as digital papillomatosis. Affected cattle have obvious lameness and spend excessive time lying down. This disease is common in first-calf heifers. When digital dermatitis is present it is more often located in the hind feet. There is little to no digital swelling with this disease.

Foot wart lesions look like raised yellow and red patches and are typically located at the rear of the foot above the heel. These lesions are extremely painful and prone to bleeding. Mature lesions can be up to two inches across. They are raised with long brown or black patches of hair projecting from the surface. The lesions can persist for many months, and may regress with dry weather.

This condition is likely caused by a spirochete bacterium and is very contagious. That this disease typically responds to antibiotics suggests an infectious agent. Environment may predispose cattle to the foot wart agent. For example, wet free stalls, poorly drained lots etc. Spirochetes have been found in the digits of health cows in affected herds, and in herds not affected by foot wars. It is possible that cattle may be infected with the bacterium but demonstrate no evidence of lameness or lesions until a specific stress or environmental component triggers the disease.

There are several treatment protocols, which may be used for digital dermatitis. In the initial stage of the disease, due to the pain allowing the cow to walk normally is critical to recovery. This requires desensitization of the infected area by removing any debris from the lesion and applying a topical solution of antibiotics and / or caustic chemicals. Oxytetracycline is effective when applied directly to the lesion. Lincomycin / spectinomcin (LS-50) powder has proven to be successful. Topical sprays of iodine or iodized copper have been used effectively for treatment on control. Caustic chemicals should be used with extreme caution. If they are overused they can cause serious lameness due to chemical burns on the skin. A concentrated footbath along with topical applications can be effective in controlling foot warts. A footbath containing a ten percent solution of copper sulfate can help in the control of foot warts and other hoof infections. For large, chronic foot warts, surgical removal may be necessary. The un-diseased tissue next to the base of the wart must also be removed from the entire circumference of the lesion for the sugary to be a success; otherwise re-growth of the wart may commonly occur.

Heel Erosions in Dariy Cattle

Heel erosions, or under-run heels, begin at the bulb of the heel. This condition begins as pits on the surface of the bulbs, which develop into parallel grooves. These grooves become filled with material, which leads to bacterial growth. The horn can separate at the grooves to form a flap. Anew sole forms underneath and material becomes packed between the layers. This condition is typically present in dairy cattle confined to wet, dirty lots. This condition shifts the weight toward the heels, exposing them to erosion. This affliction generally occurs in the hind claws.

Treatment begins with the removal of all of the unsound horn. After cleaning, the exposed area should be treated with a disinfectant. The cow should be confined for several days until the freshly exposed sole hardens. In more severe cases where sensitive tissue has been exposed, it may be necessary to apply an astringent medication and a protective bandage to the affected area in addition to confinement. For prevention, feet should be trimmed on a bi-yearly schedule and excessive exposure to wet environments should be avoided. In addition, a dry footbath consisting of 80 percent hydrated lime, 15 percent copper sulfate, and 5 percent flowers of sulfur can be used to help toughen the soles and prevent the spread of infection.

Sole Ulcers

Sole ulcers are raw sores, which usually occur on the inner side of the outside claw. It presents as a bulge of granular like tissue protruding through the sole. Sole ulcers are often associated with clinical manifestations of laminitis. Most experts believe that if ten percent of a dairy herd has been diagnosed with sold ulcers, laminitis should be suspected. However, other factors can predispose dairy cows to sole ulcers. For example, moisture, manure, excessive wear, and poor hoof trimming. Sole ulcers typically occur in both of the hind claws.



The initial treatment for sole ulcers is to relive the pressure on the ulcer, this is affected by trimmer. Therapeutic trimming consists of paring out the affected area around the ulcerated sole or lesion. This relieves pressure and allows healing to begin. A topical application of astringents and/ or sulfonamides followed by bandaging is suggested to control infection and to prevent the regrowth of granulation tissue. At its worst, the ulcerated area can expand to the point where no hoof-wall structure on the affected digit can be maintained. Due to this, it is often necessary to block up the unaffected toe such that the pressure can be reduced on the affected one. If caught early on and properly treated, the diagnosis for sole ulcers is excellent.

Foot Rot in Dairy Cattle

Foot Rot is a smelly infection of the foot, which generally occurs high between the claw or toes. It results mainly from an infection caused by the bacterium fusiformis necrophorus. This organism may build up in barnyards, exercise lots, mud holes, and pastures. Cattle with foot rot usually show lameness on one leg only. The foot swells above the coronet and the toes spread cracks and fissures develop in the interdigital spuces. There is a characteristic foul smelling discharge at these fissures. If left untreated, the infection can progress into the joint space or tendon sheath producing permanent damage.

Treatment consists of antibiotics and/or sulfonamides plus local therapy. The interdigital space should be washed and any loose necrotic tissue removed. Once clean, topical agents such as antibiotics, sulfas, or antiseptics should be applied. If the infection has penetrated to deeper tissue a drawing ointment may be used. Affected cattle should be separated from the herd and confined to prevent the spread of the organism.

Control of foot rot is critical to minimize the economic impact of this contagious disease on the dairy herd. The isolation of infected cows, rigid sanitation in high-density areas, and the use of a footbath have proven effective to this end. The footbath should contain a five percent copper sulfate, and be located where cattle must walk through it several times per day.