|
Cattle Hooves and Hoof Problems
The hoof grows about 3/16 of an inch per month and completely
regenerates in about 14 months. Without annual hoof trimming,
hooves will become overgrown. A professional, reputable hoof
trimmer should do the annual hoof trimming. A professional
trimmer is able to recognize disease, injury or other problems
with the hoof during trimming and can advise you on precautionary
measures and treatments. A trimmer should also use equipment
that minimizes the stress to the cattle while they are being
trimmed. Chutes, as opposed to tipping tables, should be used,
since tables are shown to cause more stress to the cattle.
Always be available when your cattle get their feet trimmed
to insure they are comfortable and as stress-free as possible,
and to ask questions regarding the condition of their hooves.
Overgrown Hooves
Overgrown hooves in cattle can cause a number of problems
that can lead to lameness. One of the most obvious problems
is discomfort, since the overgrown hoof is not properly shaped
and forces the cow to walk in a manner other than they should.
Overgrown hooves are also prone to cracking, which opens up
an area where bacteria can get into the system and cause infection.
When a hoof is overgrown, it also becomes thinner at the ends
and has a tendency to break off, which can be extremely painful
and an opening for infection. When hooves are overgrown or
misshapen, they throw the entire leg off balance and can contribute
to gait problems in the future. Keeping hooves properly and
professionally trimmed helps you avoid these problems, as
well as many other conditions. Do not attempt to trim hooves
yourself unless you are properly trained, since you can actually
do more harm than good in some cases. If you do not know of
a hoof trimmer in your area, you should contact your cooperative
extension office.
Cattle Hoof Conditions
Abscesses of the Coronary Band:
The coronary band is the area at the top of the hoof that
is normally soft, shiny and pink in color. It is the area
between the actual hoof wall and where the hair growth of
the leg begins. An abscess of the coronary band is often undetected,
since this is an area where the foot gets muddy and can therefore
be overlooked. On a cleaned foot, there is usually swelling
and redness. If you touch the coronary band when there is
an abscess, it will be painful. When a cow becomes lame, this
is one of the areas that a veterinarian will most likely check.
The cause of an abscess is usually from penetration near
the coronary band, but even at the sole of the foot. The infection
works its way up under the wall and develops as an abscess
at the coronary band. The treatment requires that the abscess
drains, so it is important to call in a veterinarian who can
determine the extent of the problem, open the area properly
for drainage and prescribe a treatment, which usually includes
antibiotics.
Unfortunately, this is not necessarily preventable through
good maintenance, and is usually caused by cattle stepping
on sharp rocks, etc. Making sure the area they walk in is
free of other objects that can cause injury will lessen the
likelihood of this condition. Cattle feet should be checked
on a regular basis and cleaned so a proper examination can
be done.
Hairy Wart:
Hairy Warts, or papillomatous digital dermatitis, is a contagious,
painful wart-like growth caused by a micro-organism. The lesion
develops on the rear of the foot, just above the interdigital
cleft (easily viewed from behind the cow, at the back of the
foot). In the very early stages it starts out as an open red
lesion, or granulated tissue surrounded by a ring. As the
lesion develops, however, it becomes more granulated and looks
"hairy." The warts are sensitive to the touch and
usually bleed easily.
The warts are treatable, but the treatment is very time consuming
and the cure is not guaranteed. Treatments include foot bath
with chemical solutions such as copper sulfate, or antibiotic
solutions such as Oxytetracycline/Lincospectin. This is usually
done in conjunction with an injectable antibiotic. Foot bathes
are also used in prevention, working best in conjunction with
a foot wash bath first. The problem with foot bathes, however,
is that they have been linked to actually spreading warts,
and therefore if done improperly (not cleaned enough, etc.),
they can cause more harm then good.
If the infection is really bad, direct topical treatments
should be used. This requires that the cow is restrained,
the foot cleaned and a topical antibiotic applied to the area.
For the most successful results, the foot is then wrapped
in a waterproof bandage, which must be changed every 48 hours
since the closed, moist environment actually can make the
wart larger. This, again, can be used in conjunction with
an injectable antibiotic. This method would be impossible
for cattle who do not like to be handled, or become aggressive
if they are scared.
The last treatment option seems to work the best, especially
if the cow is a companion. This method is antibiotic sprayers,
where the feet are cleaned and the antibiotic is sprayed directly
on the area. They don't use this as much in dairies since
there is a risk of milk contamination and human antibiotic
resistance.
Because the treatment options are so difficult, the best
approach is prevention. One of the most important preventative
measures is to isolate any new animal who comes to your property
for about a month. During this time, the new animals', feet
should be checked carefully for any signs of warts. Equally
important is hygiene, since the disease is more prevalent
in cattle who continually walk through slurry (liquid manure).
Cleaning daily will help prevent exposure to the microorganisms
that cause Hairy Wart. Keeping cattle off saturated pasture
and on more dry ground is also helpful. Also, catching the
condition early will ensure the most prompt treatment, and
therefore a better chance of correcting the condition. If
you do feel your cattle have Hairy Wart, consult your veterinarian
for diagnosis and treatment.
|
