Hoofrot: symptoms of biting biting and treatment of cattle at home

The incidence of foot rot (necrobacteriosis) is widespread on farms everywhere. The consequence is a decrease in productivity and, accordingly, profits from the sale of milk and meat. Let's look at what causes the disease, what are its symptoms, how to diagnose and treat it, and how you can prevent the occurrence and spread of the disease on farms.

How does infection happen?

Hoof rot is an inflammation of tissues in the interhoof space, turning into necrosis, as well as putrefactive processes in the hoof horn. The causative agents of this disease in cattle are the bacteria Fusobacerium nekrophorum and less often Dichelobacter nodosus, which are joined by purulent-necrotic microflora penetrating into damaged hooves.Foot rot pathogens and secondary infection increase their synergy.

Hoof rot, or biting biting, is easily transmitted from a sick cow to a he althy one. The main ways of transmission of infection: contact of a sick individual with a he althy one, through dirty bedding, bacteria can be on the tires of vehicles arriving at the farm.

The spread of the disease is facilitated by violations in the rules for keeping cows: exceeding the norm for the density of animals, rare replacement of bedding, irregular cleaning and processing of hooves or its absence, lack of physical activity, unbalanced nutrition in vitamins and mineral elements.

Animals, if they are rarely walked, stand in stalls where movements are limited, because of this, blood microcirculation in the limbs and hooves is disturbed.

Hoof rot is considered a seasonal disease, often manifested in the cold period, with high humidity, when animals spend a lot of time in stalls on damp litter.The infection enters the hoof through microdamages. These can be wounds and cuts left by sharp stones, glass, nails, wire, which can be in a pasture, a watering place, and even in a stall. Gates for infection can be bruises, calluses, microcracks of bones. Dirt and uncleaned manure contribute to infection.

In addition to poor living conditions, the hereditary predisposition of cows to foot rot also plays a role, this disease is more common in highly productive individuals. Other diseases of cows may be associated with this disease: inflammation of the genital organs, acidosis, mastitis.

Signs and symptoms of foot rot

Visual symptoms at the initial stage of the disease may not be noticeable. As the pathology progresses, inflammation and destruction of the hoof horn become noticeable, hair falls out around the hooves, the skin turns red, an unpleasant odor appears, and the temperature rises.Sometimes inflammation can go up, and ligaments, tendons, adjacent tissues, and even internal organs, such as the udder, will be affected.

You can tell if a cow has hoof rot by the fact that she often tucks her leg in and licks her hoof. At the next stage, you can notice purulent discharge from the hooves, whitish in color, with an unpleasant odor. The cow begins to limp, walks with difficulty, loses weight. The hoof horn dies and gradually flakes off. If timely treatment is not carried out, the consequence of the disease will be chronic arthritis, and in the acute course of necrobacillosis, the animal may die.

Diagnostic measures

Diagnosis is based on clinical signs and bacteriological analysis. It is carried out in the laboratory. When examining a diseased hoof, signs of inflammation, swelling of the hoof, redness and necrotic tissue changes in the interhoof region are found.

Methods for treating foot rot in cows

During the treatment of sick animals at home, it is necessary to isolate from all others. First, the hoof is cleaned and treated with antiseptic solutions. If necessary, remove the affected tissues, apply a bandage. Treat hoof rot with the introduction of antibiotics of the penicillin and tetracycline series. If the therapy is timely, recovery can occur within 3-4 days, with an advanced form of the disease, treatment will take much longer.

If many cows are sick at the same time, antibiotics are given with feed and water. Use drugs such as "Aureomycin" and "Tetracycline". The first medicine is given at the rate of 100 mg per 1 individual per day, the minimum dosage is 4 mg per 1 kg of live weight per day.

For the entire period of treatment, the sick animal must be kept separate from other individuals in the herd in order not to spread the infection.

In addition to antibiotics, cows are given anti-inflammatory drugs, antipyretics and painkillers, which improve the condition of animals and contribute to a speedy recovery.

Possible consequences

In terms of the damage that foot rot causes to livestock, this disease is second only to diseases of the genital organs and mastitis. Losses are determined by a decrease in milk yield and weight of cows, the cost of treating hooves and other organs, and the culling of seriously ill individuals.

Prevention of foot rot in livestock

This is a regular inspection and cleaning of the hooves, removal of the regrown horn, which must be carried out at least 2 times a year. It is important that the cows have the opportunity to walk and graze in the fresh air, move a lot. This is necessary for the natural erasure of the hoof horn and the growth of he althy tissue.

It is especially important that the humidity in the room is regulated. High humidity is one of the main causes that lead to disease. Under the influence of constant humidity, the hoof horn softens excessively, becomes unstable to mechanical stress, brittle, and begins to crack. Regular airing and manure removal should help solve the problem. However, too dry air in the barn will also not benefit the animals.

Clean pens and stalls are of great importance in the prevention of foot rot. The causative agents of the disease can persist in the ground and litter for up to 10 months, so you should remove the litter as often as possible and replace it with a new one, clean the paddock from dirty straw, branches, stones and anything that animals can get hurt on.

Disinfection of premises with lime with copper sulphate or formalin solution, which must be carried out 2 times a year, should also be mandatory.You also need to clean and treat drinkers, feeders and inventory with antiseptics. For prevention in the aisle of the barn, boxes filled with dry lime with zinc and copper sulfate can be installed at floor level. The hooves will be disinfected as the animals walk over this litter. After a while, the mixture in the boxes needs to be changed.

To prevent necrobacillosis, cows should receive feed products containing the required amount of phosphorus, calcium, retinol and calciferol. These substances and mineral elements are necessary for the normal formation of bone and muscle tissue.

A marked reduction in cases of footrot occurs after vaccination, reaching a negligible percentage. In addition, vaccination is more economically beneficial than treatment.

Can I drink milk from a sick cow

Milk from such cows can only be consumed some time after the end of therapy, because antibiotics may also be contained in it.For each drug, this period will be different, you can find out from the instructions for use. A certain period after treatment must be maintained before slaughtering a cow for meat. If this cannot be done, then the meat can only be used for animal feed.

Nekrobacteriosis or, as it is called, foot rot, is a common pathology on farms located in countries with a humid and cool climate. Due to the decrease in the productivity of cows, the disease causes significant economic damage to farms. You can prevent the appearance of pathology in cows by observing the rules of care: keeping it clean, providing regular walks and good quality food. Treatment should be mandatory, comprehensive and carried out immediately after the detection of the disease. Therapy and prevention help keep herd productivity and production costs up to par.

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