Maintenance Trimming

I have a small dairy and have been reading quite a bit about maintenance hoof trimming. I was hoping that someone could give me a little more information on this. I usually just trim once a year or if there is a cow having a problem. Thanks.

It is becoming the common practice to trim your herd twice a year, and some dairymen even recommend three maintenance trimmings. Even though this seems like a large expense, it needs to be noted that the results of hoof and claw disease are far greater than trimming costs. Reduced milk yields, lower reproductive rates, increased involuntary culling, replacement cow cost, discarded milk, and the additional labor which is required to manage the affected dairy cattle account for the largest monetary loses in the industry. Also, when a sound trimming program with accurate record keeping is implemented, you can more often than not catch a problem while it is still sub-clinical and take immediate corrective action. For example, blocking up the affected hoof before your cow goes lame. Karl Burgi, a very well respected hoof trimmer and instructor, believes that maintenance hoof trimming should not be looked at as an expense, but as an investment toward your bottom line. The average cost in the treatment of a sole ulcer if $600. Obviously making a management transition toward prevention just makes sense.

Lameness in the Dairy Herd

Lameness in dairy cattle is the result of many disease conditions. A systematic approach to diagnosis and good management practices are needed to diagnose the predominant causes of lameness, and to identify important risk factors which may need to be corrected, i.e. rations, flooring, and stall rest.

Lesions of the bovine hoof are common in dairy cows managed in a variety of different systems. Lesions of the hoof cause milk production loss, reduced fertility, and increased risk of culling. In addition to the economic impact, hoof disease is also extremely painful to the dairy cow making lameness in your dairy herd a serious animal welfare issue.

There are many different lesions associated with the bovine hoof. It is useful to divide them into three primary groups: infectious digital disease, laminitis and associated claw horn lesions, and lesions caused by excessive hoof wear and/or trauma.

Assessing the prevalence of lameness in your dairy herd is the first step in treatment. Although this may be time consuming and difficult at times, early diagnosis of lameness will ultimately keep your production levels up and your treatment costs more manageable. If lameness problems are noticed early on and the lame dairy cow is blocked up off of the affected claw you will probably not have to cull her.

Signs of lameness in dairy cattle include a nodding movement of the head in a vertical plane as the sore foot makes contact with the ground. There may be an arching of the cow’s spine associated with the pain of its hoof touching the ground. Dairy cattle in extreme discomfort may also salivate heavily from grinding their teeth. There may also be an obvious shortening of the cow’s stride length, and a sinking of the dew claws of the unaffected hind limb. There will also be a reduction of general walking speed, with frequent stops to rest the affected limb.

Good management skills and prompt treatment of your affected cattle will keep your bottom line in good shape.

Claw Hardness and Hoof Health in Dairy Cattle

The degree of hardness of your dairy cow’s hooves may influence the chances for injury or for claw disease. Continual exposure of claws to moisture will make their overall constitution soft. This relationship between claw hardness and hoof lesions indicates that dairy cattle with softer claws are at a greater risk for lameness.

Lesions in the claw are the most common visible pathology associated with lameness in the dairy cow. The quality of the cow’s hooves, especially their hardness, will influence the likelihood that the cow will suffer from hoof lesions. Although it is known that various factors including nutrition and genetics will affect claw quality, the environment in which the cow is housed is extremely important, and often overlooked.

Environmental effects on hoof quality include those caused by seasonal changes, types of walking surfaces, and the wetness of the claw. The resistance of the horn of the claw to environmental effects more than likely depends on the hardness of the claw. This is because claw hardness is the major influence of horn wear and erosion.

Prolonged exposure of the claw to water will reduces hardness of the horn of the claw making it more susceptible to disease. It is known that the water content of the horn of the claw is related negatively to its overall hardness. Dairy cattle housed on slatted flooring, which reduces exposure of the hoof to standing water, tend to have much harder, healthier, hooves.

Many dairymen believe, and rightly so, that this relationship puts their cows with wet claws at a higher risk of hoof lesions because the horn resistance is diminished.

The claw of the dairy cow absorbs water quickly when soaked. As the water is absorbed the claw becomes progressively softer, and this accelerates if the hoof is not allowed to dry out. Research shows that the claw absorbs water faster than it dries out. Regions of the claw also differ in hardness, the walls of the claw are the hardest, and the sole is the softest. Regardless, all aspects of the claw absorb water and become softer compromising the dairy cow’s ability to ward off hoof disease.

To reduce the chance of hoof/claw injuries, dairy cattle should be kept in conditions which allow their claws to stay as dry as possible.

Preventive Trimming on Weight Bearing in Dairy Cattle

Claw disorders and lameness in dairy cattle are an increasing problem of the modern dairy industry. To prevent claw disorders from evolving from the sub-clinical to the clinical stage, trimming is the dairy management practice which should be followed. The goal of preventative trimming is to promote natural loading by increasing the weight-bearing contact area of the claws and improving the balance between the medial and the lateral claw.

Claw disorders and lameness in the dairy cow are usually associated with diet, flooring, and the degree of hygiene the cattle are housed in. In addition to the enormous economic impact of lameness such as medication, purchasing replacement cows, involuntary culling, and veterinarian fees; one also has to consider the compromised welfare of the cattle affected with hoof disease. No one wants to see an animal suffer.

To prevent the evolution of claw disorders from deteriorating to the clinical stage, the herd management practice applied is maintenance trimming. Current practice in the modern dairy industry is that trimming should be initiated two to three times per year to provide the cow with sound balanced feet. It is thought by most trimmers that a large contact area of the claw to the ground is the best option for hoof health. It has been demonstrated empirically that both sub-clinical and clinical claw disorders occurred less frequently when the hooves were trimmed routinely two to three times a year. Also, when a sound trimming schedule is followed, the occurring lameness which may present itself will be less severe. It is important to note that thorough record keeping of your trimming schedule must be maintained.

Karl Burgi, a very well respected hoof trimmer and instructor has said in regard to the above, “There is no doubt that correct maintenance hoof trimming is the best way to reduce the severity of laminitis, but it is often a tough economic sale to make (to the dairyman). A sole ulcer on the cow costs the producer about $6oo. If we prevent sole ulcers by professionally trimming the hooves of these animals, I have saved the producer a lot of money. Still, too many times, hoof trimming is looked at as an expense and not an investment.”

Healthy Hooves and Dairy Cow Production

While on a hike, you begin to notice a slight irritation and pain coming from one of your feet. You keep walking and the irritation gradually becomes worse. Eventually you are forced to stop and remove a pebble which has worked its way into your boot. Nothing else matters until you remove the rock and make the pain stop.

What you have experienced, in a very minor way, is the significant pain and production disruption which lameness can have on one of your milking cows. At some point, all dairy herds will have their production rates decline due to lameness. Dairy cattle with sore feet can result in loss of income, vet fees, medication, and involuntary culling. A Cornell University study indicated that the average incidence of lameness per one hundred dairy cattle to be thirty. The study estimated that this translates to roughly nine thousand dollars per one hundred cows. However, you can dramatically reduce the impact of hoof problems in your herd. There are three types of causes: infectious, metabolic, and environmental.

Infectious causes include foot rot, interdigital dermatitis, and digital dermatitis.

Foot rot is typically associated with wet, dirty conditions, and rough surfaces. You can prevent or minimize foot rot by keeping your cows clean, dry, and well bedded. Maintenance trimming is also a must. Usually antibiotics will clear up this condition.

Interdigital dermatitis responds poorly to antibiotics. This disease occurs in early lactation. It is probably due to the associated stresses of calving, and the changes in the weight distribution pattern on the claws of the rear legs following calving. Dairy cattle with this disease will be noticeably lame and may have a white to gray discharge leaking from the affected region. Blocking, trimming, topical dressings, and foot wraps will help.

Digital dermatitis is easily recognized as a reddened patch located just above the cleft of the hoof. The disease causes a sore which resembles a strawberry. The lesion will progress until it has raised, conical like projections featuring black hair like growths (hairy wart stage). This disease is extremely painful to the dairy cow. The treatment is a long and consistent process. As with all hoof disease, the main key in prevention is consistent hoof maintenance trimming and accurate record keeping. And to lessen the recovery time of your cow, and make her more comfortable, you should always block up the affected hoof at the first sign of a problem.

Just as that pebble in your hiking boot irritates you until it is removed, hoof problems create production problems with your dairy herd. Keeping their hooves sound is another link in the chain of efficient milk production.

Hoof Maintenance and the Dairy Cow

One key to preventing infectious hoof disease is in proper hoof maintenance. The healthy cow hoof tends to grow about five millimeters per month. Depending on the walking surface of the cow, the hoof will wear at varying rates. The toe tends to wear more slowly because it is harder and the heel wears faster since the horn is softer.

One of the first things to do when evaluating your dairy herd is to take notice of the surface that they spend the majority of their time standing on. Floors or ground surfaces that increase rates of lameness are those that are too rough, too smooth, too soft, or too wet. The dairy manager should reduce the abrasiveness of new concrete flooring, and roughen or groove old concrete flooring which often becomes smooth and slippery over time.

Removing cattle from concrete flooring to a dirt lot or pasture for several hours a day is also conducive to the maintenance of clean dry feet. In addition to placing cows on proper flooring, free stall beds should be kept as smooth and as dry as possible to promote cow comfort and to encourage dairy cattle to lie down and get off of their feet. Viral infections of the foot can be prevented by maintaining a dry bed and providing a clean foot bath containing copper sulfate or formalin.

To complete this lameness prevention plan, a trained farrier should inspect the feet of every cow at least twice a year and make the appropriate corrective trimming. To properly inspect the feet, the farrier must look at the bottom of the hoof. Many hooves that appear healthy from the top reveal lesions or excessive wear when picked up for inspection. Lame cattle or those with problem feet should be blocked up off of the affected hoof and treated as necessary.

Paying attention to hoof health has a high cost-benefit ratio. The easier it is for a cow to walk to her food and water sources, the more money she is going to make for you. By implementing these cattle management strategies you can establish an effective protocol to reduce lameness and maintain a profitable herd.

If you have any tips for hoof maintenance please post them here and share your knowledge.

Dairy Cattle Hoof Health and Diet

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.

Sole Ulcers and White Line Disease in the Dairy Cow

The dairy cow which suffers from chronic laminitis is predisposed to many other lameness problems. Sole ulcers, white line disease, and abscesses are diseases of the hoof that are associated with the abnormal hoof growth of the chronically laminitic dairy cow.

Sole ulcers, the result of necrosis, expose the corium and can dehabilitate a cow. The maturity of the lesion can determine the appearance of the ulcer. The ulcer happens because of increased pressure placed on the heel due to abnormal hoof growth. Affected dairy cows are often seen standing with their legs further back than normal. The pain and pressure can be helped with foot blocking applied to the good claw. If an ulcer is found in one outside hind claw it is likely that the other hind foot contains an ulcer also. Remember to never cut the ulcer or apply anything that will burn the granulation tissue and delay the healing. Ulcers are treated by digging out the damaged area and allowing drainage in a hygienic environment. The occurrence of sole ulcers can be reduced with regular hoof trimming.

The dairy cow may also become afflicted by what is commonly called White Line Disease. This is a sub solar abscess which can cause acute lameness. Most of the time with white line disease an abscess will occur in the heel leading to severe destruction of the joints and tendons. This disease is often mistaken for hoof rot but the swelling is confined to the heel of a single claw and not both claws as in hoof rot. This difference makes it easier to block up the affected hoof as there is a healthy claw to bond the block onto. Dairy cattle with white line disease often show pain in all of their feet and stand with their front or hind feet extended forward. These abscesses are most commonly caused by laminitis because the white line is more penetrable because it is widened and softer and therefore more susceptible to disease.

If you have had any experience with these problems in your dairy herd please post your comments here and share your knowledge.

Hoof Rot in Dairy Cattle

Hoof rot in dairy cattle is caused by the bacteria Fusobacterium necophorum, and is shed into the dairy environment by feces. It is most often seen in confinement cattle. These anaerobic bacteria thrive in manure and damp, warm conditions. Hoof rot is characterized by a variety of symptoms. The cow will more than likely exhibit some degree of lameness and discomfort. Other symptoms to be on the lookout for include a foul smelling discharge, red inflamed tissue above the hoof, and possible swelling of the affected hooves with spreading of the toes. There may also be necrotic lesions between the claws.

The common treatment for hoof rot in dairy cattle consists of a cycle of systemic antibiotics that will not interfere with the milking process and that will not force a milk withdrawal time. As with any hoof problem in your dairy herd, a cow infected with hoof rot should be blocked up, if possible, off of the affected hoof to allow healing and to minimize lameness so the cow can still produce. After you or your farrier have blocked up the afflicted cow she should be housed in a dry, clean environment to promote healing.

Reducing hoof rot in your dairy herd can be accomplished by housing your cattle in dry, manure free pens that are free of debris. Other recognized preventative measures include footbaths, feed additives, and vaccinations. Contributing factors which can lead to hoof rot include stubble fields, small rocks, abrasive surfaces, and high temperatures with high humidity. Isolating your infected cattle may reduce the spread of the causing bacteria into the barn environment.

If you have had any experience with hoof rot in your dairy herd please post your comments here.

Digital Dermatitis

Dairy cattle are often affected by a condition known as Digital Dermatitis or more commonly Foot Wart. It is an infection which produces inflamed red lesions on the interdigital skin of the hoof, typically on the bottom of the pastern on the rear feet, and may have hairs matted around the edges to form a rim. This extremely painful disease can occasionally be seen in the front hooves also. Dairy cows may try to stand up on their "tip toes" to try to relieve the constant pain of the weight on their heels. This condition is bacteria driven (Tremponema). Digital dermatitis is a disease associated with infection, however predisposing factors are unknown and the incidence has been increasing. If you have to replace dairy cattle it is important to thoroughly inspect the feet of the new cows. If the condition is present treatment should begin immediately with the infected cows placed in quarantine. Unfortunately, these bacteria thrive in the dairy environment. In particular the damp and often muddy barn aisles, and in manure build up on the skin of the hooves. When foot warts are observed during maintenance trimming the best course of treatment is with an antibiotic footbath or with a topical spray. Topical sprays are the least expensive and can be applied directly to the affected hoof. Antibiotics such as oxytetracycline or lincomycin are the preferred drug of many dairy veterinarians. If the foot warts have progressed to the point where more aggressive treatment is going to be necessary, it is always best to block up the affected hoof to keep the area from being further aggravated. If it does become necessary to block up the hoof, a bandage can be applied soaked in Rotational Zinc or Hoofpro at a 1:1 concentration.

Bovine Hoof/Claw Maintenance

Hoof/Claw problems account for roughly ninety percent of the occurrence of lameness in dairy cattle. These disorders can be directly attributed to health, comfort, and environment. The best way to prevent lameness in your dairy cow herd is to be proactive in hoof/claw maintenance. When we spot lameness in our cows, we are usually 2 months too late in our prevention. Typically, dairy cows do not come up lame suddenly; they usually have a condition which takes several weeks to show up as lameness. An injury such as an abscess can go undetected in the normal course of your dairy operation until the cow goes down. To prevent lameness from occurring we need to implement a hoof maintenance program; and if any abnormalities are found during trimming, your dairy cow should be immediately blocked up off of the affected hoof.

The purpose of maintenance hoof trimming is to eliminate lameness in your dairy herd by preventing disease from beginning. Regular hoof maintenance will also aid in discovering existing problems before they get out of hand, i.e. laminitis, abscesses, hairy hoof wart, digital dermatitis, and white line disease. Maintenance trimming corrects the toe length and toe angle of the claw. This keeps a steady balance and weight distribution between the claws ensuring a comfortable stance for your dairy cow while she is in production. Remember, a healthy comfortable dairy cow is a superior producer.

Bovine Hoof Care

If you’re a dairy cattle manager or hoof trimmer, you know hoof problems are unavoidable in the dairy industry and the loss of milk production and fertility due to lameness is a bottom dollar issue. You might also be familiar with Karl Burgi. He designed one of the most effective cow trimming chutes in the business and he runs a top-notch hoof trimming school.
Karl uses one of the most widely accepted treatments for cow hoof problems - a wooden blocking system available from Hoof-it Bovine. Why is the wooden blocking system considered the most effective, cost efficient treatment for lameness problems in dairy cattle?

The economic data clearly points out that the results of foot disease are much greater than the treatment costs. For example, reduced milk production, lower breeding rates, increased culling, and discarded milk add pressure to an already tight bottom line. Not to mention the increased labor costs to manage the diseased cows, and the unwelcome prospect of purchasing replacement cows. Current research shows that an average case of lameness will cost the dairyman $300. With a statistical average of 30% of all dairy cows being affected by lameness in an average year, the loss of production due to lameness can translate to $9000 per one hundred cows every year, which no one can afford.

Nutrition, housing and environment, concurrent diseases, genetic influences, and management factors all predispose a dairy cow to foot and claw problems. An estimated 90% of lameness involves the foot, and of this number, 90% involves the rear claw. The most frequent causes of bovine lameness are laminitis, foot rot, white line disease, and digital dermatitis. Recent studies from the University of Florida indicate that claw problems such as sole ulcers and white line disease accounted for 65% of the reported hoof problems. Digital dermatitis accounted for 20% of reported lameness, and foot rot 17%.

There are several preventative measures which should be taken to minimize lameness. Hooves should be trimmed once or twice a year to improve claw soundness, trimming can also be used to spot potential hoof problems which may need to be corrected, i.e. ulcers, bruises and general hoof health.

Proper nutrition management can lower the number of foot problems in the dairy herd. Nutrition plays a significant role in hoof disorders and changes in the normal pattern of feeding can tremendously impact claw health. Laminitis has many contributing factors, but a properly managed feeding program will go a long way toward prevention.

Confinement on hard surfaces can contribute to laminitis and claw disease especially if a recent environment change has taken place, such as moving from the pasture to concrete flooring. Dairy cattle confined to concrete have more feet end leg problems. Properly constructed and bedded stalls will encourage cows to lie down and take pressure from the hoof.

Foot and claw disease are a major concern for dairy cattle and close scrutiny should be used to avoid these potentially devastating problems. Preventative measures, with the aid of your veterinarian, must be followed if the problem is expected to be controlled. However, the most important factor in regard to dairy cow hoof health is the immediate treatment at the first sign of lameness. When you compare blocking systems on the market, I think that you will find the wood blocks and boot system is the easiest and most cost effective kit on the market. The advantages of our boot and block system are: a strong claw to block bond, quick curing time, and a minimum waste of product due to the unique boot design. In addition, the wood block is biodegradable.

Dr. Daniel Montoya is a cowboy freelance writer who is doing research for Hoof-it Bovine. Let him know what you think of this article and if you’ve tried the Hoof-it Blocking System, what we can do to improve it.

Contact him at danny@cow-hoof-care.com