Treating Laminitis In Dairy Cows

Lameness in dairy cows may be due to infectious diseases or disruptions of normal claw growth.

Treating laminitis in dairy cows.

Edwards also spoke about downed cattle. Controlling subclinical laminitis see laminitis in cattle in a high production intensively managed dairy herd requires a systematic epidemiologic study. The greeks aristotle associated equine laminitis with indigestion. Correct grain overload keeping the animal moving and the claws cool.

Laminitic lesions of the claw are not always a result of poor feeding practices. Treatment for subclinical laminitis is impractical because diagnosis in an individual animal is not possible at the time of the causative insult s. The functional approach to claw trimming allows for correction of claw problems. To feed carbohydrates correctly fiber levels must be measured using neutral detergent fiber ndf and acid detergent fiber adf values.

Rations that lead to acidosis are followed by laminitis but this is difficult to manage when the largest percentage of diets for dairy cattle contain carbohydrates. Laminitis has been described in many species but is most common in equine and bovine. The greek name of the disease kritiasis relates to overfeeding of barley. Nsaid non steroidal anti inflammatory drug injectable ketoprofen 2 to 4 mg kg im iv.

Though there is no effective treatment for laminitis edwards says consistent bunk management and using adequate step up rations can help prevent it. Although bovine laminitis is most common in dairy cows it has been reported in all ages and sexes. Proper foot trimming is essential to prevent and manage claw problems.