Hoof Health and Reproduction
By Dr. Bill Ayars, staff veterinarian
Have you ever arrived home at the end of the day and your feet were so sore you could hardly stand? Imagine how your cows must
feel when they have sore feet.
Most producers are aware that hoof problems can decrease productivity,
but did you know that they also can disrupt reproductivity? Routine
hoof trimming can alleviate and prevent the development of painful
hoof lesions, and improve reproductive performance.
What causes hoof disease?
Causes of non-infectious hoof disease - which can influence the hoof
health of the entire herd - include nutrition imbalances, housing
management, level of exercise, cattle behavior and the environment.
Systemic illness, increasing age, poor conformation and stage of
lactation also can contribute to non-infectious hoof disease in
individual animals.
Two common causes of infectious hoof disease include interdigital
necrobacillosis (foot rot) and digital dermatitis (hairy heel warts).
Foot rot is caused by bacteria that live in wet, muddy environments.
Cows standing in this kind of environment for extended periods of
time have unhealthy tissue between their hooves, which allows bacteria
to enter. Fortunately, there are several antibiotics approved for
use in lactating dairy cattle are effective against foot rot.
Hairy heel warts are a little tougher. Presumably caused by an
organism called a spirochete, they can be treated by cleaning the
affected area and applying a tetracycline wrap. For the entire herd,
a solution of 8 grams of tetracycline per liter of water may be
sprayed on the heels.
Using a well-managed footbath can help control hoof disease. Common
footbaths are 5 percent copper sulfate, and 5 percent formalin or
20 percent zinc sulfate.
Which animals are susceptible to hoof disease?
Early-lactation cows are more likely to experience hoof disease
than late-lactation animals. First-calf heifers seem most susceptible.
A sudden increase in nutritional energy, housing changes, establishment
of a new pecking order within the cow herd and poor uterine health are
all causes of metabolic stress. Cattle may respond to stress by releasing
histamine or toxins into their blood stream. Unfortunate-ly, these
substances may damage the blood vessels within the hooves and predispose
them to the development of laminitis or sore feet.
Hormonal fluctuations during calving also may influence the development
of hoof disease. The hormone relaxin assists with calving by increasing
the elasticity of fibrous tissues in the birth canal. Relaxin may have
a similar effect on the fibrous tissues within the hoof, permitting the
third phalanx (pedal bone) to move downward, causing damage to the sole1.
How does this relate to reproduction?
Hoof disease, while seemingly simple, can result in a domino effect of
problems. For example, when a first-calf heifer enters the milking
string, her routine changes completely. She has new feed, new herdmates
and a new surface on which to walk, and is handled differently. Even
if she had an uneventful calving experience, these factors alone can
create stress. Add calving problems to that, and she'll find it difficult
to get on the right track.
Anatomy of a Bovine Claw
 |
The claw capsule (the area of the hoof visible to the
eye) includes the wall, sole and heel, and is similar
in composition to a fingernail. The wall is the densest
and strongest area. The weakest area is the white line,
where the wall and sole attach. The heel is the least
dense area, making it susceptible to injury. |
This illustration is the property of the University of
Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, Knoxville, Tenn.,
and is reprinted with permission.
In a vicious circle of events, this stress predisposes her to developing
foot problems. Now she's not only stressed from a change of routine, but
hoof problems also compound her problems. She stops going to the bunk to
eat because it hurts to walk and stand to eat. She becomes metabolically
stressed, which slows her estrus cycle.
Common sense tells us that when cows are in heat, those with hoof problems
may not stand or ride simply due to the pain of being on their feet. And,
even when these cows are in heat, their stressed metabolism makes it that
much harder to become pregnant.
Research suggests lame cows with hoof lesions were approximately 52 percent
less likely to conceive than non-lame cows2. In addition, the number of
breedings per conception was significantly higher in lame cows with hoof
lesions than in non-lame cows (five compared to three). The median time
to conception was 40 days longer in lame cows with hoof lesions when
compared to healthy cows.
The post-partum female also is susceptible to developing ovarian cysts.
Research suggests lame cows within 30 days post-partum are nearly three
times more likely to develop ovarian cysts prior to the first breeding
than non-lame cows3.
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One of the many hoof problems that can
occur are toe ulcers. Regular hoof trimmings
can help prevent this and many other hoof problems.
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How do I prevent this?
In addition to the management tips shown in Table 1, routine hoof
trimming can help alleviate problems associated with poor hoof health.
The goals of trimming hoofs are to restore the normal claw shape and
weight distribution, to remove unhealthy horn tissue and to treat any
detectable problems. Prior to trimming, animals should be evaluated
both standing and walking. Look for deficiencies in toe shape and
structure, as well as any reluctance to place full weight on an
individual limb or toe. Then restrain the animal to maximize the safety
of both the patient and the trimmer.
How often and when during the production cycle should hooves be trimmed?
This depends on many factors, such as existing prevalence of hoof disease,
environmental conditions and on-farm management. Consult your local
veterinarian or professional hoof trimmer for trimming recommendations.
Table 1. A Guide to Maintaining Healthy Hooves
Prevention is key to maintaining healthy feet in dairy cattle. In addition
to routine trimming, listed below are several things you can do to help
your cows remain healthy.
- Maximize cow comfort. Housing management is a significant contributing
factor to healthy hooves. When possible, gradually introduce cattle from
pasture to concrete lots. Keep resting areas properly maintained so cows
will lay down, and provide adequate space for resting, walking, eating and
drinking to help avoid adverse social interactions, which can result in
hoof damage from quick or rough movement.
- Keep feeding areas and alleys clean. Overexposure to manure and urine can
erode heels, so keeping animals from standing in these materials can help
prevent problems.
- Maintain a well-balanced, consistent ration. A sudden increase of concentrates,
such as corn or soybeans, can cause a rapid decline in rumen pH, or rumen
acidosis. Acidosis may lead to the death of gram-negative bacteria, causing
toxins to be released into the bloodstream. The toxins damage blood vessels
in the corium, resulting in fluid leakage and then pain (laminitis).
- Treat other conditions accordingly. Any systemic disease (uterine infection,
pneumonia, digestive problems) can result in the release of histamine and/or
toxins into the bloodstream, which can ultimately lead to laminitis.
1Lischer C.J.; P. Ossent. 12th International Symposium on
Lameness in Ruminants: 82-89, 2002
2Hernandez J.; et al. JAVMA 218:1611-1614, 2001
3Melendez P.; et al. 12th International Symposium on Lameness
in Ruminants: 339-342, 2002
Select Sires Inc., 11740 U.S. 42 North, Plain City, Ohio 43064 / Phone: (614) 873-4683 Fax: (614) 873-5751
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