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.
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.
posted by Daniel Montoya at 12:23 PM
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