Murray Dairy News
Dealing with Lameness in Wet Conditions
As we come into winter it's important to be prepared for the wet times ahead - and all the issues which can result.
Wet conditions are often associated with higher rates of lameness in dairy cows. Prolonged exposure to moisture causes the hoof to soften - making bruising, penetration injuries and white-line disease more prevalent. The skin between the claws and around the foot also softens and macerates, leaving the skin more prone to infections such as footrot. The higher bacterial loads present in wet muddy environments add to the problem. Larger stones and sharp gravel in farm tracks are also exposed after the fine topping materials are washed from track surfaces.
Common signs to watch out for include:
- Red, hot and swollen foot with smelly, wet putrid skin between the claws
- A hoof abscess
- In severe cases, discharging abscess just above skin or hoof junction
Management strategies:
| Stockmanship |
- Allow the herd to move slowly along tracks giving them time to choose where they place their feet
- Consider putting slow walkers and young cows in a separate herd to improve cow flow
- Give cows additional time to choose a path through restrictions or through areas where the track surface has been damaged
- Refrain from honking horns or using barking dogs
- Minimise the use of the backing gate
- Avoid overcrowding in the yard
- Let the cows move into the shed at their own pace
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| Repairing track surfaces |
- Carry a shovel and/or use a tractor blade to clear drains
- Clear or cut drainage paths through mud that builds up on the edge of tracks to move the water off the track surface
- Remove large or sharp stones and fill in potholes with fine screenings
- Incorporating 0.3-1 per cent cement in the capping repair material can help stabilise the surface
- Compact repaired surfaces well
- Fence off severely damaged areas of track that are beyond temporary repair
- Tracks can be topped with sawdust, woodchips or finely crushed rock/limestone as a temporary fix
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| Protect hooves on concrete |
- Keep the concrete clean - remove stones from the concrete surface daily
- Place protective mats, carpet or rubber tiles on turning areas
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| Treatment strategies for clinical lameness |
- Restrain cow and lift, wash and examine foot, taking special care to check for injuries or debris caught between claws or wire wrapped around lower limb
- Remove any cow showing lameness from the herd for examination.
- Treat lameness according to veterinary advice, based on the diagnosis
- Use a block/'cowslip' to remove weight from the affected claw (by blocking the sound claw)
- Minimise walking distances and the time spent on concrete for lame cows
- Drying off or milking once a day could be considered for low producers/cows that are in poor condition
- Footbaths (at the dairy exit) are only indicated for bacterial footrot. They need to be cleaned and recharged daily to be effective
- Hoof mats at the dairy entry and lead up to milking platform may be a better option
- Seek veterinary advice as there are no chemicals registered for foot bath use for dairy cattle
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More information on these strategies and other useful information about lameness can be found at www.dairyaustralia.com.au/wet-conditions
