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What causes laminitis:
Laminitis is a complex disease associated with calving, particularly in heifers. Other stress factors like rumen acidosis, toxic conditions like metritis and mastitis, change of feed and prolonged standing or walking also have an effect. The acute stage of laminitis might go unnoticed but often results in bruising of the horn, sole ulcers, toe ulcers, white line disease or horizontal cracks a few months down the line.
Treatment of laminitis and ulcers:
Acute laminitis shown by painful walking on all legs, is treated by non steroidal painkillers (eg Ketofen- 1ml per 33kg) and the provision of a deep straw bed. The later occurring problems like ulcers and white line disease need trimming as soon as possible. Weight bearing needs to be reduced on the affected claw, possibly by providing a block to the healthy opposite claw. All under run horn needs to be removed for proper drainage. Also pick up the other foot to check for ulcers as there is a hereditary aspect. When secondary infection is present antibiotics need to be administered straight away for 3-5 days. To safeguard welfare some additional painkilling might be necessary.
Prevention of laminitis:
To prevent laminitis and associated problems it is important to reduce stress, particularly around calving. Calve cows in clean, comfortable pens where they can see other cows. Train heifers to lie in cubicles well before calving if possible. Feed dry cows all the components of the post calving diet in small quantities in the last three weeks of pregnancy to build up the rumen villi. After calving slowly increase concentrate quantities and do not feed too much in one feed to reduce the risk of rumen acidosis. Feeding up to 50% straw mixed in with the dry cow diet will prevent cows from becoming too fat. Above all this will increase rumen size so cows can optimize their intake after calving reducing the impact of a negative energy balance and reducing the risk of a displaced abomasum. We can take blood samples to see what the cows think of the diet.
Cows need comfortable cubicles and walkways to keep their feet healthy. Make sure you have enough cubicles of the correct size (8 ft by 3 ft 9 inches) without head rails. Watch how many cows are lying down during the day and how easy they can get up in the cubicles. Provide comfortable mats and bedding material. Standing half in and half outside the cubicles increases the risk of ulcers. Pay special attention to heifers and make a separate group if possible. Scrape cubicles and passage ways twice a day. Walkways need to be free of stones and you should be able to walk on them without shoes on. Watch how and where cows walk, and if not comfortable provide a topping like bark or ask us about the details for a purpose-built cow track.
In an emergency please telephone (01793) 522483 (24hrs).
Drove Veterinary Hospital, 252 Croft Road, Swindon, Wiltshire SN1 4RW.
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