Hoof diseases in animals such as cows can be successfully treated in the initial stages. It is important to correctly determine the cause of the disease, eliminate unfavorable factors and begin treatment immediately. Most diseases of cattle hoofs are caused by the large weight of such animals and errors in their maintenance. Timely treatment can save cows from lameness and painful symptoms. In advanced cases, the death of cattle is possible.
Pododermatitis
This is a disease in which, as a rule, the inner claw becomes inflamed from the inside, that is, an inflammatory process occurs in the soft tissues under the stratum corneum.The lesion also affects the skin part, therefore it is called pododermatitis. The disease can be aseptic and purulent. The outer claw usually looks healthy.
The disease is caused by keeping animals on wet and dirty bedding, sole injuries, heavy weight of the cow, as well as different loads on the components of the hoof. After cleaning, reddish spots are found on the inner hoof, and in advanced cases, deep cavities.
If dirt or manure gets inside, an inflammatory process begins and purulent exudate appears. A sick animal limps, often raises its leg, and its temperature rises. The inflamed limb becomes hot, and pulsation is felt when palpated.
In case of pododermatitis, first of all, the hoof is cleaned of dirt and washed. The diseased claw is anesthetized with novocaine, opened and the pus is removed. Exfoliated tissues are cut off. The cleaned cavity is washed with an antiseptic (hydrogen peroxide, Chlorhexidine), treated with wound healing agents (Synthomycin Liniment, Antibax ointment) and a cotton-gauze bandage is applied. A wooden block is glued to a healthy hoof. The bandage and waterproof bandages are changed every 3 days. Healing of the claw occurs over the course of a month.
Cellulitis of the hoof corolla
This is an inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue in the area of the coronary bone. Cellulitis occurs due to injury or wound. The inflammatory process can be purulent if, as a result of a bruise, an infection penetrates through damaged skin.
Externally, a swelling is noticeable above the horny shoe. The fiber is impregnated with serous-hemorrhagic exudate. Abscesses form. Often there is a breakthrough of pus to the outside. A sick animal limps and its temperature rises.The limb becomes painful to the touch and hot. Over time, the stratum corneum on the hoof peels off.
During the treatment process, animals are given injections of an antibiotic and an anesthetic (Novocaine). A wet alcohol bandage is applied to the affected area. It is changed every day. The purulent swelling is opened, the cavity is washed with a disinfectant (hydrogen peroxide). An antibacterial and wound-healing dressing is applied on top (Levomekol ointment, streptocidal, tetracycline). The cotton-gauze compress is changed every three days. Recovery occurs in 1-2 weeks.
Hoof erosion
This is a disease that affects the outer stratum corneum of the sole and, in severe cases, the soft tissue inside the hoof. The reason is a large load on the limbs, traumatic rocky soil, wet and dirty bedding, cracks in the hooves and infection. Dark spots, rot and bruises are visible on the surface of the sole.
A sick animal limps, its temperature rises, the leg becomes hot and painful when touched.
During treatment, the affected areas are cleaned of dirt, washed with water, and disinfected with an antiseptic (potassium permanganate solution or hydrogen peroxide). A bandage with an antibiotic solution (Tetracycline, Penicillin) or a wound healing agent (tetracycline ointment, streptocidal ointment, Levomekol) is applied to the hoof, which is changed 1-2 times a day. The animal is kept indoors on dry bedding for several days.
Strawberry disease
This is a disease in which the affected areas resemble red strawberries. The correct name for the disease is digital dermatitis or Mortellaro disease. The development of the disease is caused by bacteria located on wet floors in the barn, multiplying in dirty bedding.Digital dermatitis affects even young animals. Lesions are localized in the crevice or diadem area of the hoof. Reddish bumps appear on the skin.
To prevent the disease, it is recommended to keep cows on clean and dry bedding and provide high-quality feed to the cattle. For treatment (compresses and bandages), powder forms of tetracycline (“Egocin”) and the antibiotic “Oxytetracycline” are used. During the treatment period, animals are given pharmaceutical vitamin and mineral preparations.
Laminitis
This is a cattle disease in which the soft tissue under the stratum corneum becomes inflamed. The disease affects the hooves. Inflammation occurs because the blood does not reach the laminae (the sensitive tissues inside the hoof) but stops near the corolla. Due to the cessation of blood supply, necrosis occurs. The coffin bone presses on the sole and comes out.
Subsequently, the horny shoe completely comes off, exposing soft sensitive tissues. When an infection gets inside, pus accumulates at the site of the lesion. The cause of the disease is too much weight of the animal, traumatic surfaces, rocky soil, bruises, injuries, cracks on the sole. A sick cow limps, refuses to move, and the hoof becomes painful and hot. During treatment, a sick animal is provided with full care, given high-quality food, and kept on dry bedding. The wound is cleaned and washed with an antiseptic (hydrogen peroxide).
It is recommended to expose the hoof to cold (ice baths, wet cold clay).You cannot cure laminitis on your own. It is better to contact a veterinarian if you notice symptoms similar to the description of this disease. The sooner treatment begins, the greater the chance of healing the hoof.
Lameness
The symptom of any hoof disease is lameness. When the integrity of the sole is compromised, an infection penetrates inside and an inflammatory process begins; the animal’s limb is very painful and warms up. The cow limps, holds her leg elevated or pulls it, and tries to move less.
The causes of lameness can vary. Basically, problems arise if cows graze on rocky soils, are often injured, are kept on wet and dirty bedding, and are fed poor-quality feed. Having discovered that the animal is limping, you need to thoroughly clean and inspect the hoof. Ulcers and erosions can be treated with an antiseptic (hydrogen peroxide) and antibiotic ointment (streptocidal, tetracycline).
Bandages with wound-healing medications are applied to the wounds, which are changed daily until the cows recover.
Lameness can occur not only due to hoof problems, but also as a result of tendon rupture, rheumatoid arthritis, nerve palsy, and arterial thrombosis. If there are no visible wounds on the hoof, then it is better to contact a veterinarian and examine the animal.
Bruises
In case of injuries, trips and impacts, hoof bruises occur - closed injuries to internal tissues without compromising the integrity of the horny cover. A hematoma appears at the site of the lesion. At the same time, the level of leukocytes in the blood increases, and the inflammatory process begins. As a result of ruptured blood vessels, a blood clot forms. If there is a crack in the cornea, infection gets inside. The bruise begins to fester.A sick cow may limp, be in pain, and feel restless. The bruised limb becomes hot.
It is advisable to detect a bruise as early as possible and apply cold to the affected area or immerse the foot in an ice bath. If the injury is not fresh, then you need to open the stratum corneum and release the accumulated blood and pus from the hoof. It is recommended to treat the affected area with an antiseptic (hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate solution) and an antibiotic-based ointment (Levomycetin, Antibax). It is advisable to apply a cotton-gauze bandage to the hoof and wrap it with waterproof bandages.
