Bovine lameness causes significant financial loss for cattle farmers, and hoof health management is an important component of a comprehensive herd management program. Lame cattle are under a high level of stress, which makes them susceptible to infection, and also negatively impacts their milk yield and reproductive performance. Our Church’s Mobile Veterinary Service team explains some common causes of bovine lameness and suggestions to manage your herd’s hoof health.

Bovine lameness causes

Over 90% of bovine lameness is caused by hoof problems, including:

  • Digital dermatitis — Also known as heel warts or strawberry heel warts, digital dermatitis is an infectious disease caused by a group of bacteria, including Treponema spp. The bacteria invade the superficial skin layers causing an inflammatory response that results in skin thickening and proliferative lesions, most commonly on the heel region of the hind feet. The animal’s overall immune status seems to play a role in infection spread. Treatment typically involves topical antibiotics, such as foot sprays and solutions.
  • Foot rot — Foot rot is a bacterial infection that invades the interdigital area, causing swelling, skin necrosis, and a foul smell. Trauma from stones or wood, uneven ground, constant moisture, and dried mud increase an animal’s risk of foot rot, which is usually found in only one foot and more commonly in rear feet. Early detection is necessary for effective foot rot management that involves thorough cleaning of the interdigital space and bandaging the foot. Systemic antibiotics are also recommended for three to five days. 
  • Laminitis — Laminitis is an inflammation of the hoof’s sensitive tissues and typically affects all four feet to some degree. Laminitis is caused by nutritional and environmental components, including major diet changes, excessive amounts of rumen-fermentable grain, heat stress, overcrowding, and standing on concrete for extended periods. Treatment involves addressing the underlying cause and corrective trimming to reshape the claw to appropriately distribute weight across all weight-bearing body structures.
  • White line disease — White line disease refers to fissures, hemorrhage, and abscesses in the junction between the sole and claw wall. The condition is typically caused by bone instability inside the claw horn capsule and can lead to the hoof wall separating from the sole. This can allow stones, dirt, and other material to impact in the area and, if not removed, the impactions can cause sepsis and abscesses. Treatment involves trimming the hoof to remove weight from the affected claw and exposing healthy tissue and the lesion borders. 
  • Sole ulcers — Sole ulcers are extremely painful lesions caused by a disruption in normal horn-producing cells that results when one are both claws are unstable and pressure is placed on the digital cushion. The lesions are usually red, sensitive to touch, and may develop granulation tissue. Treatment includes removing all loose horn tissue to fully expose the ulcerated area and trimming or applying a block to the sound claw to keep weight off the ulcerated claw. Our team will also provide appropriate pain medication.

Hoof care management

Strategies to promote hoof health include:

  • Hoof trimming — Maintenance hoof trimming should be scheduled every four to six months for dairy cows, 6 to 12 months for pastured beef cattle who need attention, and when lameness issues need addressing. In addition, your bulls’ hooves should be inspected and trimmed before they are turned out to your cows.
  • Nutrition — Feed the appropriate amount of trace minerals and effective fiber, and mix the ration well to prevent sorting.
  • Hygiene — Scrape barn areas multiple times a day to prevent manure buildup on hooves, use enough bedding to keep stalls dry, ensure the barn floor drains well to prevent water pooling, and ventilate barns appropriately to prevent excessive humidity.
  • Flooring — Groove walking surfaces to prevent slipping, and consider installing rubber flooring in areas where cattle congregate frequently. In addition, limit the time the cattle stand on hard surfaces.
  • Overcrowding — Cattle tend to stand more in crowded conditions, so avoid overstocking.
  • Heat control — Heat-stressed cattle stand more to increase cooling from air movement. Shade, fans, and sprinklers help keep cattle cool and encourage more time lying down.

Keeping your cattle’s hooves healthy is paramount to increasing herd productivity. Call our Church’s Mobile Veterinary Service team to schedule your herd’s maintenance hoof inspection and trimming, or if you have a lame animal.