Identifying lameness: Spot, lift, look

Spotting and treating lameness early are key to success. Use this three-step method to identify any cows that need attention.

It’s important to spot the cows that have just gone lame.

If these cows are dealt with immediately, treatment can be a relatively simple and rewarding job. Chronic cases can be much harder to treat effectively and are more likely to reoccur.

Regular mobility scoring is the best way to spot newly lame cows.

To find out what’s causing the lameness and how to treat it effectively, you need to lift the foot.

This should be easy, safe and not unpleasant for you or the cow. It should be possible for one person to get a cow in the crush in one minute.

Sometimes the cause of lameness is easy to spot, while other cases need more skill to detect.

Proper training in practical cattle hoof care will build confidence in correctly finding and dealing with lesions.

Applying pressure to different parts of the foot using a pair of hoof testers helps identify where the problem might be. This is much better than digging at black marks.

Early detection and prompt, effective treatment of claw horn lesions is key to their successful management.

Research shows that any delay in the time to treatment can reduce the rate of recovery, regardless of the treatment used. Speak to your vet about effective treatment protocols.

When a claw lesion is identified:

• Inspect both hind legs, regardless of which leg appears lame
• Carry out any additional trimming or treatments at the same time
• Apply a block to the sound claw to remove weight from the affected claw
• Treat with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Avoid over-trimming

If lesions appear small or insignificant, this often means the problem has been identified at the right time.