Health and Care of the Hoof

1. Health and Care of the Hoof

2. Lameness • Third most important cause of economic loss to the dairy industry • first is mastitis • second is reproduction • Loss exceeds $25 per cow ($25,000 for 1,000 cow-dairy) • decreased production • impaired reproduction • increased risk of culling

3. Structure of the Hoof • Any problem affecting the hoof will compromise the ability of the animal to move and stand still comfortably • External anatomy • Coronary band • Separates the leg and the hoof itself • Wall and sole of hoof • Sole is concave and increases in thickness as it approaches the heel • Bulb • Hoof has two digits

4. Structure of the Hoof • Internal anatomy • Coronary cushion is composed of elastic tissue • Vasculature supplying blood to the hoof runs through this area • Laminae and papillae are arranged in folds that act as shock absorbers • Digital cushion and bulb comprise the heel • Lamellae are ridges on inside wall of hoof • Fibers run between this and coffin bone (P3), attaching the hoof to the skeletal system

7. Infections of the Hoof • Increased susceptibility if cows are kept in wet, muddy areas • Two most common infectious diseases: • Hairy heelwart • Foot-rot

8. Infections of the Hoof • Hairy heelwart • Highly contagious • Characterized by strawberry-colored growth between the digits of the hoof • Hair grows from wart • Cause is unknown • Spirochete bacterium? • Vaccine effectiveness?? • When bringing in new animals use an incoming treatment program • Parlor sprays or footbaths • Requires at least two weeks • Isolate prior to mixing new animals with the herd

9. Fig 38-1. Hairy heel wart is a common problem in expansion herds (Courtesy of Mark Kirkpatrick)

10. Fig 38-2. Recent surveys have suggested that over half of all lame cows were afflicted with hairy heel wart (Courtesy of Mark Kirkpatrick)

11. Fig 38-3. Hooves with hairy heel wart develop characteristic finger-like projections (Courtesy of Mark Kirkpatrick)

12. Footbaths

13. Fig 38-4. Topical hoof treatments can be conveniently applied with a sprayer (Courtesy of Mark Kirkpatrick)

14. Figure 38-5. Direct application of topical treatments is easily accomplished in the milking parlor (Courtesy of Mark Kirkpatrick)

15. Infections of the Hoof • Foot rot • Reddening and swelling of skin above hoof, between toes, or in the bulb of heel • Lameness • Eventually develops pus discharge, foul odor • Contagious, infectious disease caused by Bacterioides nodosus and Fusobacterium necrophorum • Other organisms may be involved • Spread from cow to cow by walking on contaminated areas • Infected cows shed organisms into environment • Isolate new animals upon arrival, trim hooves, walk through foot bath, keep barns clean and DRY

16. Treatment • Antibiotics • local and systemic • Footbaths • drying agents • 5% copper sulfate • 3% formalin • Clean and dress • Amputation

17. Footbaths

18. Figure 38-6. An empty foot bath showing the correct sizing and layout (Courtesy of Howard Tyler)

19. Fig 38-7. A variety of treatments can be topically applied to hooves via hoof baths (Courtesy of Mark Kirkpatrick)

20. Fig 38-8. Copper sulfate is often used in footbaths to reduce the risk of hoof infections (Courtesy of John Smith)

21. Fig 38-9. Treated hooves should be properly bandaged to protect from excessive pathogen exposure (Courtesy of Mark Kirkpatrick)

22. Laminitis • Inflammation of laminae and papillae in the hoof • Acute, subacute, chronic • 60-90% of all cows affected • small % at any time • Cows with more structurally sound hooves have decreased hoof problems • Ideal hoof angle is about 45 degrees • Lowly heritable • Management factors contribute to incidence of laminitis • Walking surfaces, excessive time standing, trauma

24. Feeding-induced Acute Laminitis • Rumen acidosis kills rumen microbes • Endotoxins released • Absorbed endotoxins stimulate histamine • Histamine affects microvasulature in corium of hoof • overgrowth of wall and sole • swelling of laminae and papillae • softer horn reaches surface • white or yellowish lines • hoof growth 1/8 inch per month

25. Hoof Trimming • Produce a balanced claw • Removal of horny tissue from sole • re-establish proper shape of hoof • Trimming stimulates growth of new, healthy tissue • Extends longevity • one full lactation on average

26. Fig 38-15. Hoof overgrowth is a common problem that can be corrected by hoof trimming (Courtesy of Nathan Klein)

29. Fig 38-11. Hoof examination can be conducted in simple chutes by hoisting the rear leg after properly tying up the hock (Courtesy of Mark Kirkpatrick)

30. Fig 38-12. A close-up of the leg restraint method to permit hoof examination of standing cows (Courtesy of Mark Kirkpatrick)

31. Fig 38-13. A tilt table allows access to all hooves simultaneously (Courtesy of Mark Kirkpatrick)

32. Fig 38-14. The goal of hoof trimming is to reshape and rebalance the hoof (Courtesy of Mark Kirkpatrick)

33. Comfort Issues • Excessive time on concrete • Exacerbated by wet or rough concrete • wet conditions soften hoof wall and sole • creates abnormal wear patterns • increased risk of injury • P3 may separate from wall and sole