Content
Laminitis in cows is a diffuse aseptic inflammatory process in the dermis of the hoof. This disease is multifactorial, it is based on many causes of development. Disease in cattle can occur in subclinical, acute and chronic forms. The most common type of laminitis is subclinical. It is he who is the main cause of cow lameness. The disease develops gradually and sometimes manifests itself in full, when the animal can no longer step on the limb and the wound becomes visible.
Causes of laminitis in cattle
The hoof is a modified skin that forms a cover of the stratum corneum of the epidermis next to the third and fourth phalanx. The hoof consists of a rim, corolla, wall, crumb and sole. With laminitis, the layer of sheets between the shoe and the coffin bone becomes inflamed. Inflammation is characterized by excessive accumulation of fluid under the skin in soft tissues.
Often, the disease occurs as a complication of rumen acidosis, which occurs in a chronic form after regular feeding of low-quality feed in combination with starch grain concentrates. In this case, carbohydrates are fermented to form acids. The internal environment of the proventricles begins to secrete toxins, becomes unsuitable for the correct microflora. Blood metabolites penetrate the skin, reach the base of the hoof and cause tissue inflammation.
In addition to these reasons for the development of laminitis in cows, the factors that provoke inflammation include the following points:
- a floor that is too hard so that the load on the hoof is not evenly distributed;
- lack of daily exercise;
- poor quality hoof care;
- deficiency of carotene (a vitamin necessary for the skin of a cow);
- high humidity in the barn;
- irregular cleaning of manure;
- weakened animal immunity, vitamin deficiency;
- transferred complex diseases;
- calving, postpartum period;
- physical overload of the cow (long drive);
- monotonous feeding ration;
- stressful situations (transportation);
- hypothermia.
Symptoms of hoof laminitis
One of the main symptoms of a cow's hoof problem is the lameness of the animal. After its appearance, it is necessary to examine the hooves of the individual, thoroughly cleaning them before the procedure. Next, the breeder needs to carefully study the color of the horny tissue, skin, check the hooves for erosion and damage.
Other symptoms of laminitis in cows include:
- the animal prefers to lie down, gets up with difficulty;
- when moving, stiffness is noticeable, the cow spanks with its limbs, minces;
- muscle tension and tremors;
- swelling of the crumb and corolla;
- local temperature rise, rapid pulse;
- possible detachment of the horny covering of the hoof;
- pain on palpation;
- deformity of the hoof;
- with severe pain, there is no appetite;
- reduction in milk yield, possibly a complete cessation of its release.
In cows, the pelvic limbs are most commonly affected. In this case, the animal bends its back, trying to pick up the limbs for itself. She puts the front ones back, reducing the load on the hind hooves.
Forms and course of the disease
Laminitis occurs in cows according to the extent of the lesion. This disease is characterized by several forms of development: acute and chronic.
Acute laminitis of a cow is determined by a rapid heart rate, tremors, sweating and impaired milk production. The diseased individual lies, gets up with difficulty. On palpation of the hoof, a painful reaction is observed. General weakness of the cow, clouding of the eyes is noted.
Chronic laminitis develops when the underlying cause of the disease has a long-term effect or the acute form of the disease persists. The chronic course of laminitis is characterized by significant deformity of the hoof. Its end is square and has a rough surface. The bone of the third toe is displaced and squeezes the skin of the corolla. The tissues located above it are lowered, a kind of dent is formed there. When cleaning the hoof, bruising is observed in the sole of the horn shoe. When the horn is delaminated, two soles are formed. The joints with the walls also bleed. Vascular changes indicate impaired blood circulation in the horn-forming tissue.
Another type of laminitis in cows is the subclinical form of the disease. Its peculiarity is that there are no clinical signs of pathology. However, blood-yellow markings are visible on the hoof horn. Subclinical laminitis is the cause of many other diseases of the hoof, such as heel erosion and sole ulcers.
Diagnostics
When a correct diagnosis is made, the dorsal and abaxial hoof wall should be examined by palpation and percussion. For these diagnostic methods, forceps and a hammer are used. This is how the local temperature of the hooves, tension, soreness in the area of the corolla, interdigital cleft are determined, the pulsation of the digital arteries is established, which indicates the onset of inflammation in the tissues.
Hoof forceps reveal the localization of the pathological process in the region of the sole, walls, crumb. When tapped, the cow pulls back the limb. According to the change in sound, an empty wall, a horn column is installed.
A picture is taken of a cow with a doubtful diagnosis. To perform an X-ray examination, it is necessary to correctly fix the cow. For this, the animal is placed on planks. Paint is applied to the toe part of the hoof wall along the sole - a special X-ray marker, then a picture is taken from a side view.
Treatment for laminitis in cows
Treatment of laminitis in cattle is aimed at eliminating the factors that caused the disease. Next, you should take care of soft bedding for the cow, as well as provide her with complete rest. The following activities help get rid of laminitis:
- balanced diet;
- limitation of consumed water;
- cold clay compresses;
- cleaning the cow's hoof, giving it the correct shape;
- treatment with disinfectant solutions (hydrogen peroxide, furacillin);
- the imposition of wound healing ointments;
- bandaging the hoof until the wound heals.
You should also use fortifying drugs to raise immunity. Symptomatic treatment includes antipyretics and pain relievers. With large lesions, severe pain, antibiotic therapy is prescribed, novocaine blockade is used.
In the case of chronic laminitis in cows, conservative treatment is ineffective. In this case, the animal must be discarded.
Is it possible to fix hooves after laminitis
After taking all the necessary medical measures to eliminate laminitis, the cow should make adjustments to the hooves every 2-3 months. Before pruning, you need to evaluate their appearance.The procedure is not performed for inflammatory processes and hoof injuries.
To trim you need the following tool:
- professional hoof knives;
- cutter;
- hoof forceps;
- scissors;
- machine for fixing a cow;
- disinfectants in case of injury.
The day before the procedure, the cow is transferred to a damp bedding so that the upper stratum corneum softens somewhat. Instruments must be prepared and disinfected in advance. If necessary, you can enter sedatives.
The work begins with trimming the front limbs. The hand should move from the inner layer to the keratinized tissues. Tufts of wool can be removed with scissors. A model of hooves is made with a knife, the sharp edges are rounded off with a file. Care must be taken to avoid damaging the inner layer of the hoof and exacerbating the situation.
To determine a correctly performed procedure, there is a special test. It helps to identify the presence of an angle between the sole and the front of the foot.
Disease prevention
Preventive measures against the occurrence of laminitis in cows include:
- daily examination of the limbs of the cow after exercise;
- regular hoof trimming;
- baths 1 time in 3 days for cleaning from dirt and disinfection;
- a complete feeding ration;
- vitamins and trace elements in feed;
- careful change of diet;
- daily active exercise.
It is important to comply with all the necessary sanitary and hygienic rules for keeping cows. Contaminated litter should be removed in a timely manner, checked for foreign traumatic objects that can injure the cow's limb and, if necessary, repair the floor covering.
Conclusion
Laminitis in cows often occurs with inadequate care, maintenance and feeding of cattle. It is possible to fight this disease, the prognosis for the acute course of laminitis is favorable. However, in some forms of the development of the disease, the pathology can go unnoticed for a long time, therefore it is important to conduct a daily examination of the limbs and clean the hooves in a timely manner.
