As herd sizes increase, the incidence of lame cows is also increasing. Increased walking distances and increased standing times have a detrimental effect on cow hoof health. Lameness is not only a problem for the cow; it can lead to significant financial losses for the farm business.

Considering the fact that every case of a lame cow can cost up to €300, having a herd plan in place for lameness is vitally important. The cost of a case of lameness includes the loss of milk production for 2 months before and up to 4 months after the clinical case, the veterinary bills, the increased infertility and the increased risk of culling.

The four main causes of lameness in an Irish grazing system are:

White Line Disease

White line disease is the separation of the hoof wall from the sole on the outside claw of the hind foot. It may start off as a thin black line but it fills with grit and stones causing pain and sometimes infection. Treatment includes trimming the affected claw, a shoe on the good claw and anti-inflammatory injection. Most of these do not need antibiotic treatment.

Digital Dermatitis (Mortellaro)

Highly contagious, this initially looks like a red rash, and can develop into extensive skin loss and scabbing around the cleft between the claws and on the heel. Treatment involves topical antibiotic spray daily for up to 5 days. Do not put these cows through the footbath. Prevention is the best approach to Digital Dermatitis with weekly foot bathing using formalin, copper sulphate or inorganic acids. Talk to your vet about the best location for your footbath, and the conentrations of products to be used. Try not to use a plastic footbath because generally cows do not like walking through them and as a result you will not use it as often as you should.

Solar Bruising and Ulcers

Red to dark purple discolouration, which only becomes visible about 2–3 months after the damage has been done. Sole ulcers can develop from very severe bruising. These occur when the tissue under the hoof becomes inflamed and can break through the horn, or cause under-run sole. Excess horn should be trimmed from around the ulcer, a shoe applied to the opposite claw, topical antibiotic applied and anti-inflammatory injection.

Foul in the Foot/ Footrot

Symptoms include swelling above the hoof, splayed claws, and a foul smelling secretion between the claws. It is caused by bacteria entering the foot through cracks in the skin caused by dirty wet conditions. Treatment requires antibiotics.

How to reduce lameness

Look at your own behaviour

  • Watch the rear group of cows and make sure their heads stay down (if the head is up – they are being pushed)
  • Ensure they aren’t pushing each other (cows don’t like body contact)
  • Do not rush the back of the herd with dogs or quad bike

 Roadways

  • Well-designed
  • Firm, compacted base material
  • Crowned to keep water off – Non-damaging surfaces, well-drained edges
  • Width sufficient for herd size (min 5 m)
  • Free of congestion points – avoid right angle bends, narrowing of race, mud holes, excess crowning

 Collecting yards

  • Ensure plenty of space in the yard to congregate – a minimum of 1.3 square metres space for Jersey cows and 1.4 to 1.5 square metres space for Friesian cows (depending on their size and the design of the shed)
  • Look for any other factors that would make cows fear the yard (slippery concrete, stray voltage, electrified backing gate)
  • Use the backing gate only to take up space, not to push cows

 Prevalence and cost

  • 20-35% of cows suffer some degree of lameness
  • 90% of lameness is in the foot, with 80% in the hind limbs and 80% of these cases in the outer claw
  • Clinical lameness is estimated to reduce milk yield by 350kg per lactation
  • A case of clinical lameness is estimated to cost €160 – €300

 

Point Lameness Reduction Plan

  1. Record keeping (not just lameness, of course!)
  2. Early detection and effective treatment
  3. Minimising risk of injury (risk assessment, design and construction of facilities, and understanding of the dairy cow for good stockmanship and low stress handling)
  4. Hygiene or minimizing risk of infection (footbaths and facilities)
  5. Good health for the foot (cow comfort, avoiding health issues)