Hoof rot symptoms and treatment of cattle from biting midge at home
The incidence of hoof rot (necrobacteriosis) is widespread on farms. The consequence is a decrease in productivity and, accordingly, profit from the sale of milk and meat. Consider what causes the disease, what are its symptoms, how to diagnose and treat it, and how you can prevent the onset and spread of the disease on farms.
How does the infection take place?
Hoof rot is an inflammation of the tissues in the inter-hoof space, turning into necrosis, as well as putrefactive processes in the hoof horn. The causative agents of this disease in cattle are the bacteria Fusobacerium nekrophorum and, less often, Dichelobacter nodosus, to which purulent-necrotic microflora joins, penetrating into the damaged hooves. Hoof rot pathogens and secondary infection enhance the joint action.
Hoof rot, or biting grass, is easily transmitted from a sick cow to a healthy one. The main ways of transmission of infection: contact of a sick individual with a healthy one, through a dirty bedding, bacteria can be found on the tires of transport arriving at the farm.
The spread of the disease is facilitated by violations in the rules of keeping cows: exceeding the norm of animal density, rare replacement of bedding, irregular trimming and processing of hooves or lack of it, lack of physical activity, unbalanced nutrition in vitamins and minerals.
Hoof rot is considered a seasonal disease, often manifested in cold weather, with high humidity, when animals spend a lot of time in stalls on damp litter. The infection enters the hoof through micro injuries. These can be wounds and cuts left by sharp stones, glass, nails, wire, which can be found in pastures, watering holes, and even in a stall. The gates for infection can be bruises, calluses, and microcracks in the bones. Dirt and uncleared manure contribute to infection.
In addition to poor housing conditions, the hereditary predisposition of cows to hoof rot also plays a role; this disease is more common in highly productive individuals. Other diseases of cows can be associated with this disease: inflammation of the genitals, acidosis, mastitis.
Signs and symptoms of hoof rot
Visual symptoms in the early stages of the disease may not be visible.As the pathology progresses, inflammation and destruction of the hoof horn becomes noticeable, hair falls out around the hooves, the skin turns red, an unpleasant odor appears, and the temperature rises. Sometimes the inflammation can go up, and ligaments, tendons, nearby tissues and even internal organs, such as the udder, will be affected.
It can be determined that a cow has hoof rot by the fact that she often draws her leg and licks the hoof. At the next stage, you can notice purulent discharge from the hooves, whitish in color, with an unpleasant odor. The cow begins to limp, walks with difficulty, loses weight. The hoof horn dies off and gradually flakes off. If timely treatment is not carried out, chronic arthritis will become a consequence of the disease, and in the acute course of necrobacteriosis, the animal may die.
Diagnostic measures
Diagnosis is by clinical signs and bacteriological analysis. They spend it in the laboratory. Examination of a diseased hoof reveals signs of inflammation, hoof swelling, redness and necrotic tissue changes in the interdigital region.
Treatments for hoof rot in cows
During the treatment of sick animals at home, you need to isolate from everyone else. First, the hoof is cleaned and treated with antiseptic solutions. If necessary, remove the affected tissue, apply a bandage. Hoof rot is treated with the introduction of antibiotics of the penicillin and tetracycline series. If the therapy is timely, recovery may occur within 3-4 days; with an advanced form of the disease, it will take much longer to treat.
If many cows are sick at the same time, antibiotics are given with feed and water. Drugs such as "Aureomycin" and "Tetracycline" are used. The first medicine is given at the rate of 100 mg per 1 individual per day, the minimum dosage is 4 mg per 1 kg of live weight per day.
For the entire period of treatment, the sick animal must stand separately from other individuals in the herd so as not to spread the infection.
In addition to antibiotics, cows are given anti-inflammatory drugs, antipyretics and pain relievers, which improve the condition of the animals and contribute to a speedy recovery.
Possible consequences
In terms of the damage that hoof rot causes to livestock, this disease is second only to diseases of the genital organs and mastitis. Losses are determined by a decrease in milk yield and weight of cows, the cost of treating hooves and other organs, culling of seriously ill animals.
Prevention of hoof rot in livestock
This is a regular examination and cleaning of hooves, removal of regrown horns, which must be carried out at least 2 times a year. It is important that the cows have the opportunity to walk and graze in the fresh air, and move a lot. This is necessary for the natural wear of the hoof horn and the regrowth of healthy tissue.
It is especially important that the room humidity is regulated. High humidity is one of the main causes that lead to disease. The hoof horn under the influence of constant moisture softens excessively, becomes unstable to mechanical stress, brittle, begins to crack. Regular ventilation and manure removal should help solve the problem. However, too dry air in the barn will also not benefit the animals.
Keeping pens and stalls clean is essential in preventing hoof rot. The causative agents of the disease can persist in the ground and litter for up to 10 months, so you should remove the litter as often as possible and replace it with a new one, clean the walking area from dirty straw, branches, stones and anything else that animals can hurt.
Disinfection of premises with lime with copper sulfate or formalin solution, which must be carried out 2 times a year, should also be mandatory. You also need to clean and treat drinkers, feeders and equipment with antiseptics. For preventive maintenance, boxes filled with dry lime with zinc and copper sulphate can be installed in the aisle of the barn at floor level. The hooves will be disinfected as the animals pass over this litter. After a while, the mixture in the boxes must be changed.
To prevent necrobacteriosis, cows should receive feed products containing the required amount of phosphorus, calcium, retinol and calciferol. These substances and minerals are essential for the normal formation of bone and muscle tissue.
A notable decrease in the incidence of foot rot occurs after vaccination, reaching insignificant percentages. In addition, vaccination is more economically beneficial than treatment.
Can you drink milk from a sick cow?
Milk from such cows can be consumed only some time after the end of therapy, because antibiotics can also be contained in it. For each drug, this period will be different, you can find out from the instructions for use. A certain period of time after the treatment must be withstood before the slaughter of the cow for meat. If this cannot be done, then the meat can only be used for animal feed.
Necrobacteriosis, or as it is called, hoof rot, is a common pathology on farms located in countries with a humid and cool climate. Due to the decrease in the productivity of cows, the disease causes significant economic damage to farms. The appearance of pathology in cows can be prevented by observing the rules of care: keeping them clean, providing regular walks and good quality feed. Treatment should be mandatory, comprehensive and carried out immediately after the detection of the disease. Therapy and prophylaxis allow keeping the herd productivity and production costs at the proper level.
