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Show C6 The Emery County Review, Tuesday, October 7, 2008 Keeping Cattle on their Feet Lameness plays economic havoc in cattle operations Dr. Glen Jensen, DVM Lameness in cattle is a major disease of important economic loss in cow-calf and feedlot operations. Lameness effects fertility, productivity and farm economics. Proper diagnosis and early intervention is the key to effective treatment and minimizing the potential economic impact that may occur. If left untreated or treated improperly, a disease that starts out as relatively superficial can progress to infection of bone, synovial structures, tendons, and ligaments of the lower limb. Theses deep infections or “generalized digital sepsis” can be very difficult to treat and sometimes have a much greater economic impact. Most ranchers initiate treatment of presumed foot-rot in beef cattle, and are often successful. Prior to treatment it is important to make the preliminary diagnosis of foot-rot based on a good examination of the affected limb and not automatically treating every animal the same just because it is lame. A protocol for treatment and when to seek veterinary assistance will increase the success rate and decrease costs. Hoof-rot, also known as interdigital necrobacillosis, is an infectious disease that usually is caused by interdigital trauma and infection of two bacteria that act together to cause the disease. It is one of the most common lameness problems in cattle. Questions that the rancher should ask to help them determine if it is hoof- rot are: Is the affected foot swollen? There are other causes of swelling in the foot but relatively few. The swelling that is seen with hoof-rot is seen best when observing the hoof from the back. The swelling is seen above the level of the coronary band – the upper limit of the hoof. The swelling may be difficult to see if the animal is in manure or grass. Look for the dewclaws of the foot to be spread apart. It is often easiest to see when it is compared to the opposite foot. Is the swelling symmetrical? If the swelling is greater on one side of the foot it is not a simple case of hoof-rot even though it may have started out as such. Deep infection of the foot results in visible digital swelling as well. Other possible causes of swelling are a fracture of the bone of the foot, fescue poisoning and frostbite. If the hoof can be picked up there will be a characteristic foul-smelling pus and split, oozing skin in the space between the two digits when hoof-rot is causing the problem. A deep infection of the foot usually results in asymmetrical swelling the distal limb and foot. Deep infection of the foot is a challenging condition to treat. Medical and surgical approaches may be needed to salvage the affected digit. Because of expenses and a possible poor outcome some cattle may be slaughtered rather than treated. Causes of lameness that do not usually cause swelling include papillomatous digital dermatitis (hairy warts), interdigital derma- titis, sole ulcers, laminitis, simple subsolar abscesses, or injuries or diseases of the bones and joints of the upper limb. Protocols for on-farm treatment should be set up. The protocols should include: u When an animal should be treated u What medications are to be used u When professional help should be obtained. For example a cow treated for foot-rot, if given the proper antibiotics at the correct dose and the right interval should show resolution of lameness within one week after treatment is started. If the cow fails to respond, then a veterinarian should be consulted to examine the cow. Treatments that have been successful in hoof-rot include u Sulfonamides u Oxytetracyline u procaine penicillin u Ceftiofur and others It is very important that the correct dose and frequency is used. Prevention includes u Keeping wet areas drained and clean where the pathogens survive, keeping corrals clean u Preventing trauma from stubble and stones, reroute paths to avoid problem areas u Correct nutritional deficiencies u Use foot baths if there is an outbreak (Jensen is a doctor of veterinarian medicine with Emery Animal Health in Castle Dale.) DWR Aids Landowners to Resolve Wildlife Conflicts Ever since the first man planted crops and fenced land, he has had to resolve conflicts with wild animals. In a bygone era, farmers consumed marauding animals, which offset the damage they caused. Nowadays, wildlife is considered a state resource held in trust for all Utah citizens. The law prohibits anyone from destroying wildlife, except where prescribed by state officials. The Utah Legislature has passed laws to aid farmers, who suffer crop loss and property damage by big game, a state-owned resource. The Utah Wildlife Board and Division of Wildlife Resources have been charged with administering the laws, which address damage to agricultural lands by big game, such as deer, elk and antelope. Each year the legislature appropriates a sum of money to fund big game depredation. Annual funding has been a half million dollars to compensate for damage to fences and irrigation equipment, and loss of standing or stored crops. Remarkably, the legislative appropriation of $500,000 has covered farmers’ claims in all but two years since the program began. Hot, dry summers and cold, snowy winters attract big game to agriculture. In the past decade or so, weather extremes have seemed to become the new norm. When big game congregates on private agriculture, farmers are encouraged to call the DWR, so that measures can be taken to stop further damage and pay for whatever damage may have occurred. When the DWR receives a depredation call, a representative is sent out who talks with the farmer and surveys the damage. Together, both parties develop a plan to stop further damage and make repairs as appropriate. Very often, scare tactics are immediately initiated to discourage further use of the property Photo by Brent Stetler Deer graze in an alfalfa field in Huntington Canyon. by big game. In situations, where offending animals refuse to abandon a property, despite scare tactics and other harassment methods, lethal means may be employed. Sometimes, landowners or their representatives are authorized to remove the animals. On other occasions, animals are harvested by sport hunters. As a last resort, offending animals may also be taken by DWR personnel with the meat do- nated to homeless shelters. Wild animals will always be attracted to the feed, grown by farmers, and depredation will always need to be minimized. Under authority from the Utah Legislature the DWR seeks to manage big game populations within tolerances, acceptable to hunters, farmers, and other interest groups and values. Specializing in training, handling and exhibiting of AQHA horses in Halter and Western Performance. Have a Smarter Puppy with Science Diet Pet Foods! Science Diet Contains DHA Fish Oils. In clinical trials, DHA has been proven to increase trainability in puppies when compared to puppies that don’t have DHA in their diet. Glen Jensen, DVM Sharmon Gilbert, DVM 490 West Hwy 29 Castle %BMF t 435-381-2539 Hal & April Schiffner www.risingsunqh.com Quarter Horses and Arena, LLC (435)749-7120 (cell) • Castle Dale, UT Kritter Klips animal grooming Working with animals for over 24 years •Grooming •Dog Training •Pet Boarding •Pet Photos “I will Match or Beat Anyone’s Prices!” Jackie Barney Groomer/Trainer 385 W. Main Ferron, UT • 435-609-1007 |
