Lameness in cows: When to involve the vet

Severe and complex lameness cases should be treated by a vet. Knowing the limit of your expertise is important. If you’re unsure about a diagnosis or treatment, contact your vet for advice.

Infection in the joint is very painful. Treatment will require surgery, which by law must be carried out by a vet, or immediate culling.

Symptoms:

• Swelling around one claw
• Severe lameness
• Often begins as a sole ulcer that has become infected
• The toe is ‘cocked up’ (extended)
• A bead of thick, white pus can be squeezed from centre of ulcer, as circled in Figure 1

Figure 1. Joint sepsis

A typical sole ulcer site is very close to the joint space in the foot. A ‘club foot’ can develop due to joint sepsis.

Figure 2. Sole ulcer

Figure 3. Club foot

Necrotic toe is often associated with digital dermatitis infection of the corium. It may develop from an infected toe ulcer or from an infection that tracks under the wall at the coronary band.

Proper treatment requires surgery by a veterinary surgeon and the use of anaesthetic.

Symptoms:

• The cow walks back on her heel
• There is usually no swelling of the foot
• The condition is very painful because the infection is in the bone of the foot

Figure 4. Necrotic toe

Seek veterinary advice when:

• Trimming or treatment is beyond your level of expertise
• You need guidance on treatment protocols or the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• A lameness case isn’t improving
• Treatment would require cutting into corium (flesh), as this requires anaesthesia
• Severe underrunning requires trimming under anaesthesia