While generally not as prevalent in beef animals compared to the dairy herd, lameness can still have significant impacts on productivity. A lame cow will eat less than her herd mates, is likely to be in poorer body condition and suffer reduced fertility. Calf growth rates can be significantly impacted due to poorer milk yield. In growing cattle, lameness will quickly check daily weight gain, with studies showing that calves that have suffered just one episode take longer to reach target weight.
Lame cows should be dealt with urgently – the prognosis will be significantly better with prompt intervention as many lesions quickly progress. It is not acceptable to leave lame cows for any length of time and the foot should be lifted and examined asap. As with dairy cows, beef cows can suffer from sole problems such as ulcers or white line disease, as well as infectious causes such as loor or digital dermatitis.
Whatever the cause, a lame cow is unsuitable for travel to slaughter, so if she is on the cull list, the issue must be dealt with quickly if she is to stand a chance at walking onto a lorry. Don’t forget that a long term lame cow is also not eligible for casualty slaughter, this being reserved for sudden accidents such as a fractured leg.
If time is an issue or the crush is not up to the job our vet techs offer an individual lame cow service as well as preventative trimming, for example pre-mating.
As always, prevention is better than cure. Top tips for preventing lameness in beef animals include:
• Maintaining pasture to avoid poaching, particularly around troughs and gateways, and which can predispose to infectious causes.
• Avoiding overstocking at pasture and in straw yards
• Clean out sheds frequently over the winter, to avoid a buildup of pathogens
• Create a feed way which can be scraped out daily rather than bedding all the way up to a feed face
• Avoid letting cows feet get overgrown – feet that have been left to develop into a Persian slipper or corkscrew claw are extremely difficult to bring back!
written by, Claire Rudd BVetMed MRCVS
