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.

Bi-annual Claw Care

Claw disease and lameness are major issues facing dairy producers because of their common occurrence and the tremendous economic loses incurred. Early detection and prompt treatment can minimize the loss, improve recovery, and reduce animal suffering. A preventative hoof-trimming program will allow the dairy manager a proactive approach in dealing with lameness, and its causes.

Most hoof trimmers suggest that cows will benefit from a trip through the trim chute at least every six months. The hoof should be evaluated at mid-lactation and at dry off. One of the most important purposes for bi-annual foot care is to detect early claw lesions. Some cows may require little trimming, but all will benefit from the doctoring of lesions before the cause lameness. Be sure to remove all of the loose, damaged, and dead horn (without causing injury to the corium) whenever trimming of correction claw lesions.

In some cases depending on severity, it will be necessary to apply a foot block to the healthy claw to suspend weight baring and allow the damaged claw to heal. Hoof blocks serve two important essential functions: They reduce pain and encourage healing. Due to this, hoof blocks are fundamental tools for proper management of claw problems.

If a lesion is detected on one hoof it is important to check and, if needed, trim the opposite claw. Hooves tend to be mirror images of each other; quite often the same or similar lesions may be found in each foot. Finally, cows should be monitored, and then rechecked if they show no improvement in five to seven days. Typically, claw lesions will respond dramatically when offered proper corrective trimming and follow up.

Priorities in Claw Trimming

As most dairymen understand, claw trimming is a necessary part of managing dairy cattle in confinement. Knowing that the average cost of treating lameness in the diary cow is $600.00 and that the average cost of a replacement heifers is $2,500.00 or more, it makes economic sense to budget for prevention. In following a trimming program, most professional hoof trimmers pay particular attention to the following procedures.

1) Do not over-trim. The function of the claw horn capsule is to protect the corium. When claws are over-trimmed and the sole becomes too thin, the cow is at risk of developing lameness. This is especially true if the cow walks primarily on concrete.

2) Balance the weight-bearing surface within and between the claws. It is indicated that the outer claw of the rear foot normally bears the most weight. As a result rates of blood flow and claw horn growth are greater on the outer claw of the rear feet. Faster growth rates lead to overgrowth and overburdening of the claw. If left unchecked this will contribute to claw disease such as white line disease and sole ulcers.

3) Trim the soles of each claw flat. Trimming claws flat improves the claw’s stability and increases the weight-bearing surface. When trimmed correctly, cows displace their weight to the walls, soles, and heels of each claw.

If the above trimming techniques are incorporated into your dairy’s hoof maintenance program, you will maximize the benefit to your dairy herd.

White Line Disease (Intro)

Lameness results in major economic losses on dairy farms. Hoof abnormalities such as white line disease are a distinct contributor to lameness in the dairy herd.

Healthy bovine hoof horn provides protection and support to the inner structure of the digit. It aids in the dispersal of the stress and weight placed upon the floor during locomotion. Hoof horn also provides resistance to excessive abrasion. Therefore, the most important mechanical properties are its hardness, toughness, strength, and viscoelasticity. These positive qualities largely depend upon the structure and chemical composition of the keratins, which form the horn. In addition, hoof horn moisture content contributes to these qualities. Too much moisture compromises the integrity of the hoof horn.

The white line lies between the hard coronary wall horn and the more pliable sole horn. It allows some elasticity and mobility within the hoof. Reduced horn quality and hardness leaves the structure more susceptible to damage and vascular disturbances. It is known that when the white line is weakened foreign material may be caught in the distal surface. If foreign material ascends the white line and penetrates the sensitive tissue of corium, infection will most likely occur, which leads to lameness and further damage to the white line at the point of origin.

A sound hoof trimming program and attention to the movement quality of the individuals of the herd will assist in spotting potential white line disease. The elimination of standing water and maintenance of high quality walkways will help to ensure healthy hoof horn structure.

Thin Soles and Lameness

Thin soles and the resulting lameness are often associated with losses from increased culling rates in large dairy operations, but this also occurs in the small dairy. Moisture content may cause softening in the sole horn, predisposing it to an increase in wear. The rear lateral claw is the most affected due to its weight bearing function.

The protective function of the claw capsule is based on adequate sole thickness of roughly 7mm in the area of the toe. Sole thickness is a function of the rate of growth vs. the rate of wear, both of which are affected by several factors. Rates of wear have been associated with concrete surfaces, poor cow comfort, commingling of animals, poor horn quality, poor stock, and claw horn moisture. Of the above, claw horn moisture may be the most important, as prolonged water contact of the claw horn occurs in many dairy operations due to flush systems used to manage manure or from the water used in sprinkler systems to clean udders or to reduce heat stress.

The lateral claw of the rear leg is commonly more severely affected with thin soles than other claws. (Contusion of the corium of the sole is an important cause of lameness in confinement conditions and contributes to excessive sole horn wear.) The front claws are larger and have thicker soles compared with the rear claws. This results in lower moisture levels in the outer sole horn layers. Also, dairy cows often stand with their front legs on bedding and hind legs in the alleyway, where they are constantly exposed to moisture from manure and urine.

It is important to keep up a regular maintenance-trimming program with accurate records to help your dairy keep ahead of this potential problem. When possible try to reduce standing water, and improve the housing of your herd if you observe your cows not taking advantage of their bedding. When in doubt block up any affected claw to minimize down time for the cow.