Foot Diseases in Cattle: How to Prevent Them

21 September 2020

Beef CattleBuffaloesCalvesDairy cowsHygiene and Biosecurity

Foot Diseases in Cattle: How to Prevent Them

Management, environmental factors, and genetics are the key elements involved in the development of foot diseases in cattle.

In this article, the Tecnozoo Team will provide you with some practical tips on how to prevent the most common foot diseases typically found in cattle farms.

After discussing lameness, today we will also talk about other issues that may arise in herd management.

Foot Diseases in Cattle: The Causes

The most critical period for the development of foot diseases is certainly after hot and humid seasons or, at the individual animal level, the post-partum period.

Foot diseases occur in conjunction with an altered balance between horn production and wear, changes in peripheral circulation, or an increased risk of hoof trauma. These predisposing factors can essentially be grouped into environmental factors (climate and season), housing system factors (type of flooring and bedding, cleaning systems, space available for animal movement and resting), management factors (staff and animal-handling approach, level of environmental hygiene achieved, overcrowding, preventive measures in place, nutrition), and intrinsic animal factors (age, stage of production, body weight, previous diseases, breed, claw pigmentation, hierarchical position).

Attention to Flooring

To reduce foot diseases in cattle, it is essential to pay close attention to flooring: both its structure and hygiene have a direct impact on hoof health. Manure removal is necessary to minimize the time the hoof remains “soaked” and in contact with the ammonia produced. In cubicles, products can be used to quickly dry surfaces, helping to reduce ammonia production. When permanent bedding is used, it is advisable to provide a daily layer of dry straw or other suitable bedding material.

To address these issues, Tecnozoo has developed LT PLUS—find out more.

Stocking density in the barn: how many animals are there?

Another very important aspect when discussing foot diseases in cattle is stocking density in the barn, which must allow each animal to spend a sufficient number of hours lying down. Cattle have evolved to spend up to 14 hours per day lying down, and their anatomical structure is therefore not suited to standing for long periods.
For this very reason, the highest number of lameness cases tends to occur in autumn: during the summer period, animals spend much more time standing because this posture allows them to dissipate a greater amount of body heat.

Nutrition: how to manage it?

As far as the role of nutrition is concerned, it is important to keep in mind that a balanced ration already provides all the elements the hoof needs to stay healthy. Particular attention should be paid to avoiding excessive protein levels, which can cause laminitis, and mineral deficiencies, which can lead to reduced horn tissue formation. Specific supplements based on copper and zinc can be useful and should always be considered as a preventive measure rather than a solution to an already established problem.

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