Hoof Disorders in Dairy Cattle

Hoof disorders and lameness in dairy cattle are an increasing problem of the modern dairy industry. To prevent hoof 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 hoof and improving the balance between the medial and the lateral claw.

Hoof 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 hoof 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 hoof 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.”

Dairy Management - 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