Claudication in cows

At present, orthopedic pathologies at dairy complexes are one of the most important problems of the modern dairy cattle breeding. The research shows that tissue damage of the toes in cows is widespread, resulting in decreased productivity, culling and increased treatment costs. When examining groups of cows with lesions of the distal extremities, 30.8% of animals were found. In the identified cows, pathological processes were observed to a greater extent on the hind limbs. The claudication assessment in cows provides identification of animals that need treatment, as well as determination of the treatment quality and prevention measures. Analyzing the data obtained during the assessment of the claudication in cows, insufficient implementation and control of the preventive measures were noted. The fundamental factors influencing the development of pathologies of the distal part of the extremities is the fulfillment of the conditions for keeping and feeding cattle. It is important to provide optimal microclimate conditions for keeping animals. So at milk production enterprises, among orthopedic diseases, disorders in the growth of the hoof horn, function of fingers and articulations, as well as deformities of the hooves are revealed. Wounds of the hooves and interdigital fissure caused by various mechanical injuries, laminitis, aseptic and purulent pododermatitis, phlegmon of the coronet and subunguis, lamination of the bottom of the foot and hoof, tyloma, ulcers, necrosis and abscesses are noted. For the timely detection of sick cows, it is necessary to conduct regular orthopedic medical examination of animals. To reduce the risk of hoof pathology, it is necessary to trim the overgrown hoof horn regularly, and to prevent diseases, it is necessary to control the use of hoof baths with disinfectants and preparations that strengthen the hoof horn.