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.”
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.”
posted by Daniel Montoya at 1:50 PM
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