Introduction to Lameness

what are consequences of lameness

production losses

decreased BCS and reproductive efficiency

increased secondary diseases (ketosis, mastitis)

losses from lameness are due to

actual issue, not cost of treatment

most hours for a cow are spent

resting

how much money is lost per lame dairy cow

$100-300 per lame cow

what is the most costly clinical disease in cattle

lameness

in lame cattle, always start by

looking at the foot

what percent of lameness is associated with the foot in dairy

90%

what percent of lameness is associated with lameness in beef

70%

what are signs of lameness in a cow

head bob

back arch

joint stiffness

swinging fear in or out

short strides

extensor tendon and DDFT apply tension

upward as cow bars weight

on rear legs, where does bow bear more weight

lateral horn

on front legs, where does cow bear more weight

medial horn

What can be lameness factors in a dairy

floors that are abrasive, hard, and/or wet

less time laying down/resting

prolonged feet exposure to wet manure

food that encourages ruminal acidosis

hypocalcemia and ketosis

slippery floors

delayed detection

why can concrete floor cause excessive wear

very abrasive when new or wet

claw softer when wet

walking long distances on concrete

crowding or rushing cattle

what happens when dairy cows have prolonged standing

pressure inside claw capsule increases

blood flow to claw decreases

increased pressure between P3 and horn causes tissue damage

ischemia and hypoxia from high pressure

clow horn and sole become softer

what is perching

standing with front feet in stall and hind feet in lane

what causes perching

shorter stalls

low or restrictive neck rails

what is stall standing index

% cows touching stall standing 2 hours before milking

>20% means avg standing time too long = more lameness

what is cow comfort index

% cows using stalls 1 hour after AM milking

what does lameness 1 mean

stands and walks normally with leveled back

long confident strides

what does lameness 2 mean

stands with flat back, arches when walking

slightly abnormal gait

what does lameness 3 mean

arched back standing and walking

short stride

what does lameness 4 mean

arched back standing and walking

can still bear some weight

what does lameness 5 mean

pronounced arching of back

reluctant to move, toe touching

what should be included in dairy farm lameness program

surveillance

treatment protocol

temperature regulation

footbaths

grooved concrete and rubber mats

trim feet every 6 months

what are lameness factors in beef cattle

conformation

muddy, wet areas

concrete

diet that induces acidosis

what is done in distant lameness exam

BCS and general health

look at conformation and posture

determine which limb(s) and lameness score

evaluate feet!

what do you evaluate on the feet during distant exam

conformation of claws

length of dorsal hoof wall

heel

claw spread apart

overlapping or corkscrewed feet

swelling between claws or above coronary band

what are pros of standing chute

better angle for trimming

no risk of bloat

what are cons of standing chute

one leg at a time

difficult to work on front feet

potential for radial nerve or suprascapular nerve injury

what is tilt table used for

access to all feet

what can tilt table cause

radial nerve injury

muscle ischemia

bloat and regurgitiation

what must be done to prevent injuries on tilt table

limit time to <30 seconds

provide padding

pull lower front limb forward

which claws (rear or front) are most likely to be affected

rear

can non-ambulatory cattle be transported

no

when to euthanize downed cattle

24-36 hours IF:

unable to stand

refuse to eat or drink

no method to physically manage them