Cow's hooves: names of diseases, their causes and symptoms, treatment methods

Hoof diseases in animals such as cows are successfully treated in the early stages. It is important to correctly determine the cause of the disease, eliminate adverse factors and immediately begin treatment. Most hoof diseases in cattle are caused by the large weight of such animals and the errors in their maintenance. Early treatment saves cows from lameness and painful symptoms. In advanced cases, the death of cattle is possible.

Pododermatitis

This is a disease in which, as a rule, the inner hoof becomes inflamed from the inside, that is, an inflammatory process occurs in the soft tissues under the stratum corneum.The lesion also affects the skin part, therefore it is called pododermatitis. The disease can be aseptic and purulent. In this case, the outer claw usually looks he althy.

The disease is caused by keeping animals on wet and dirty litter, sole injuries, heavy weight of the cow, as well as various loads on the components of the hoof. After cleaning, reddish spots are found on the inner hoof, and in advanced cases, deep cavities.

If dirt or manure gets inside, an inflammatory process begins, a purulent exudate appears. The sick animal limps, often raises its leg, and has a fever. The inflamed limb becomes hot, with palpation, a pulsation is felt.

When pododermatitis, first of all, clean the hoof from dirt and wash it. The diseased hoof is anesthetized with novocaine, the pus is opened and removed. Exfoliated tissue is cut off. The cleaned cavity is washed with an antiseptic (hydrogen peroxide, Chlorhexidine), treated with wound healing agents (Liniment synthomycin, Antibax ointment) and a cotton-gauze bandage is applied.A wooden block is glued to a he althy hoof. Change the dressing and waterproof bandages every 3 days. Healing of the hoof takes place over the course of a month.

Phlegmon of the corolla

This is an inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue in the area of the corolla (coronary bone). Phlegmon occurs due to injury or wound. The inflammatory process can be purulent if, due to a bruise, an infection penetrates through the damaged skin.

Outwardly, a swelling is noticeable above the horny shoe. Fiber is impregnated with serous-hemorrhagic exudate. Abscesses form. Often there is a breakthrough of pus outside. A sick animal limps, his temperature rises. The limb becomes painful to the touch and hot. Over time, the stratum corneum peels off on the hoof.

In the process of treatment, animals are given injections of an antibiotic and an anesthetic ("Novocaine").An alcohol wet bandage is applied to the affected area. It is changed every day. The purulent swelling is opened, the cavity is washed with a disinfectant (hydrogen peroxide). An antibacterial and wound-healing dressing is applied on top (Levomekol ointment, streptocid, tetracycline). The cotton-gauze compress is changed every three days. Recovery occurs in 1-2 weeks.

Hoof erosion

This is a disease that affects the outer horny layer of the sole, and in severe cases, the soft tissues inside the hoof. The reason is a large load on the limbs, traumatic rocky soil, wet and dirty bedding, cracks in the hooves and penetration into the infection. Dark spots, rot and bruising are visible on the surface of the sole.

The sick animal is lame, has a fever, the leg becomes hot and painful to the touch.

During treatment, the affected areas are cleaned of dirt, washed with water, and disinfected with an antiseptic (potassium permanganate solution or hydrogen peroxide). A bandage is applied to the hoof with an antibiotic solution (Tetracycline, Penicillin) or a wound healing agent (tetracycline, streptocid ointment, Levomekol), which is changed 1-2 times a day. The animal is kept indoors on dry bedding for several days.

Strawberry disease

This is a disease in which the affected areas resemble red strawberries. The correct name for the disease is digital dermatitis or Mortellaro's disease. Provoke the development of the disease bacteria that are on wet floors in the barn, multiplying in dirty bedding. Finger dermatitis affects even young animals.Lesions are localized in the area of the gap or diadem of the hoof. Reddish bumps appear on the skin.

As a preventive measure, it is recommended to keep cows on clean and dry litter, to give cattle high-quality feed. For treatment (compresses and dressings), powdered forms of tetracycline ("Egocin"), the antibiotic "Oxytetracycline" are used. During the treatment period, animals are given pharmacy vitamin and mineral preparations.

Laminitis

This is a cattle disease in which the soft tissue under the stratum corneum becomes inflamed. The disease affects the hooves. Inflammation occurs because the blood does not reach the lamellar layer (sensitive tissue inside the hoof), but stops near the coronet. Due to the cessation of blood supply, necrosis occurs. The coffin bone presses on the sole, comes out.

Subsequently, the horn shoe comes off completely, soft sensitive tissues are exposed. When the infection gets inside, pus accumulates at the site of the lesion. The cause of the disease is too much weight of the animal, traumatic surfaces, stony soil, bruises, injuries, cracks on the sole. The sick cow is lame, refuses to move, the hoof becomes painful and hot. When treating a sick animal, they provide full-fledged care, give high-quality food, and keep it on a dry litter. The wound is cleaned, washed with an antiseptic (hydrogen peroxide).

Non-steroidal drugs (Phenylbutazone, Flunixin) are used for treatment. For external lotions use "Dimexide". To improve blood supply in the initial stages of cattle, Vetranquil, Trental are prescribed.

Recommended exposure to cold hoof (ice baths, wet cold clay). Laminitis cannot be cured on its own. It is better if you find symptoms similar to the description of this disease, contact your veterinarian.The sooner treatment begins, the more likely the hoof will heal.

Lameness

A symptom of any hoof disease is lameness. When the integrity of the sole is violated, an infection penetrates inside, and the inflammatory process begins, the limb of the animal hurts and heats up. The cow limps, keeps her leg elevated or pulls, tries to move less.

Causes of lameness can be different. Basically, problems arise if cows graze on stony soils, are often injured, kept on wet and dirty bedding, and eat poor quality feed. Having found that the animal is lame, you need to carefully clean and examine the hoof. Ulcers and erosions can be treated with an antiseptic (hydrogen peroxide) and an antibiotic ointment (streptocid, tetracycline).

The wounds are dressed with wound-healing drugs, which are changed daily until the cows recover.

Lameness can occur not only due to problems with the hooves, but also as a result of tendon rupture, rheumatoid arthritis, nerve paralysis, arterial thrombosis. If there are no visible wounds on the hoof, then it is better to contact the veterinarian and examine the animal.

Bruises

Injuries, stumbling and bumps cause hoof bruises - closed damage to internal tissues without violating the integrity of the horny cover. A hematoma appears at the site of the lesion. At the same time, the level of leukocytes in the blood rises, the inflammatory process begins. As a result of ruptured blood vessels, a blood clot is formed. If there is a crack in the cornea, an infection penetrates inside. The site of injury begins to fester. A sick cow may be lame, in pain, and restless. The bruised limb becomes hot.

It is advisable to detect a bruise as soon as possible and apply cold to the affected area or immerse the leg in an ice bath. If the injury is not fresh, then you need to open the stratum corneum and release the accumulated blood and pus from the hoof.The site of the lesion is recommended to be treated with an antiseptic (hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate solution) and an antibiotic-based ointment ("Levomycetin", "Antibaks"). It is advisable to put a cotton-gauze bandage on the hoof and wrap it with waterproof bandages.

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