What types of diseases can dairy cows get and how can you prevent them and treat them?
Foot Rot What Is It?
Excessively hard feet usually occur in stall-barns, especially when kiln-dried shavings or sawdust are used for bedding. This may result in cracks at the top of the foot, which may extend down from the hairline and allow infections relatively high in the foot. A smelly infection of the foot, which generally occurs high between the claws or toes, is referred to as foot rot. This results mainly from an infection caused by the bacterium, Fusiformis necrophorus. The organism may build-up in barnyards, mud-holes, and pastures. Cattle with foot rot show lameness, usually on one leg only. The foot swells above the coronet and the toes spread. If left untreated, the infection can progress into the joint space or tendon sheath producing permanent damage. How To Prevent & Treat Foot Rot: If the infection has spread to deeper tissues, a drawing ointment may be beneficial. Affected animals should be separated from the herd and confined to prevent the spread of the organism. Control of foot rot is important to minimize the economic impact of this contagious disease to the herd. Isolating individual cows and use of a foot bath have proven helpful in controlling the spread of foot rot. |
Hard & Soft FeetWhat is it?
Foot infections, abscesses or sole ulcers may stem from cracks that result when feet are too soft or hard. Excessively soft feet are more apt to occur in free stall systems from standing in manure and urine. This may result in heel and sole cracks allowing ulcers, abscesses or infections to occur. How To Prevent & Treat Hard & Soft Feet: Treatments can consist of hoof trimming, foot baths, and/or topical applications. Depending on the problem, a veterinarian and hoof trimmer should be consulted as to the best method of treatment. A combination of several treatment protocols may be necessary to correct individual and herd problems. |
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