Lameness is one of the most important diseases in cattle; one that has a high number of cases in the UK and costs on average £200 per case. A hidden financial effect of lameness is its impact on fertility, so while it is of course a massive animal welfare issue, it is also a financial burden on the farm or smallholding.

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Causes of lameness in cattle

Lameness can be caused by physical features such as hoof shape. But it can also be caused by exposure to concrete, cow tracks with loose stones which can cause lesions such as sole ulcers and white line disease, for example. Lameness can also be caused by infectious lesions that can spread from animal to animal, such as digital dermatitis and foul in the foot.

Prevention is better than cure!

In terms of prevention, there are several actions that can be taken by farmers to reduce lameness on farm and its economic impact. 

First, recognise the problem

Mobility scoring is a very important tool, and its importance is growing on farms. Through regular mobility scoring, it is easier to identify early cases of lameness, it allows the foot trimmer and the vet to have an idea of lameness numbers on farm and develop a treatment plan to prevent lameness. Mobility scoring should happen at least monthly and in coordination with the visits from the foot trimmer.

Then treat-to-prevent

In terms of treatments to prevent lameness, foot bathing and routine foot trimming help prevent infectious and non-infectious cases of lameness, respectively.

Foot bathing helps to disinfect cows’ feet consequently helping to control digital dermatitis and other infectious causes of lameness on farm. The frequency of foot bathing will depend on the level of disease on the farm. Farms that have digital dermatitis will need to foot bath daily, for example. And farms that don’t have digital dermatitis or other infectious causes of lameness may only foot bath 3 times per week, for example. This will vary widely between farms if we also consider how easy it is to assemble a foot bath; if farms already have permanent foot baths, if cows are kept in or out, among other factors. Given how easy digital dermatitis spreads from animal to animal, the best way to control this disease is to make sure feet are clean and dry; this is where foot baths can have an important role.

Foot baths should be long enough for each cow to step into it twice

To ensure the foot bath solution will act properly, feet need to be clean before they contact with the solution. To achieve this, for dairy herds, feet can be washed in the parlour as cows are being milked. Or for both dairy and beef herds having a foot bath with just water before the foot bath with the disinfectant solution also works. The foot bath with the solution must have enough solution to work as well for the first cow going through the foot bath as for the last cow. To achieve this, the rule of thumb is to use 1L per cow passage. And after this the solution must be renewed.

Consider foot bathing dry cows and replacement heifers regularly as they can be a disease reservoir.

Components in the foot bath

The products used in footbaths are formalin, copper sulphate, zinc sulphate or other commercial products. The concentration of these products will vary with the frequency of foot bathing and the type of product. Advice should be sought from your vet as to what is the most appropriate product to use on your farm; as well as any safety precautions that need consideration before using any of these products.

The importance of podiatry

Timely foot trimming can prevent lameness and aid cows’ mobility, making it an essential tool in lameness prevention. There are 2 types of foot trimming, and these are corrective foot trimming in cases of lameness and routine foot trimming as a way of keeping feet healthy and functional. 

Corrective foot trimming is done when a cow is lame

Mobility scoring, as previously mentioned, will be the best way of identifying lame cows at the early stages, either by the farmer or by a professional mobility scorer. Correction of lameness can include trimming hoof that has overgrown; putting a block on if a painful lesion was found (to take the sore claw off the ground while it heals); and treating with anti-inflammatories. This can be done either by the farmer, by a professional foot trimmer or by your vet. (Who must of course prescribe any POM-V medication).

Routine foot trimming happens at key points throughout a cow’s lactation to help keep feet healthy

This can be done around drying off. Sometimes all is needed is dry cows’ feet to be picked up and checked to make sure there are no lesions and hoof dimensions are correct to allow for cows to calve with feet in good condition. This would ideally also include first lactation heifers prior to their first calving. Cows’ feet should be checked again and trimmed if needed around 80-100 days in milk for dairy herds. This allows for any lesions to be identified around peak yield to ensure feet health carries on throughout lactation and lameness doesn’t impact milk production.

Other things to take into consideration when it comes to lameness would be cow handling, hygiene of passages, stock rates, diet, cubicle/bedding comfort, and building design.

Don’t hide your head in the sand…

To conclude, it is also important to keep a record of lesions found and treatments. This will be invaluable data for your foot trimmer and vet to work with to adapt the lameness prevention plan if needed.

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