Methods of Treatment

Sole ulcer

Pare the affected hoof to ensure that weight is no longer carried on the injured ulcer area. Existing haemorrhages, any under-run or damaged horn and proud flesh should be removed, whilst the healthy claw may be fitted with a block to remove the weight-bearing from the affected claw and hence promote healing.

White line abscess

If white line abscess is diagnosed, pus must be released and any foreign material pared out. Enough under-run horn has to be removed to ensure drainage, as this will relieve pressure and hence reduce pain.

Slurry heel

Pare excess horn to remove the grooves and fissures. Abnormal horn growth should be removed and the horn sloped towards the abaxial surface. Both hooves of the foot should be pared to ensure even weight bearing. Ensure that the hoof is clean and isolate the animal on clean bedding until the exposed horn hardens. If slurry heel is a common problem on the farm, the animals should be foot-bathed with copper or zinc sulphate regularly to kill the bacteria. Ensure all pasageways, yards and other walking surfaces are kept clean and dry. Lime can be useful around water troughs and other wet and muddy areas. Summer grazing helps the horn to recover and reform.

Antibiotics are not usually required, except where the infection has entered via the fissures into the corium. In such cases, parenteral treatment with Cefquinome (Cephaguard, Hoechst Roussel Vet) has been shown to be effective. A withdrawal period of at least twice the one stated in the data sheet  has to be observed under organic standards (UKROFS, 2000).

Digital dermatitis

Lesions at the heel are easier to treat than those at the front of the hoof. Treatment of individual animals is by topical or parenteral therapy, or both. The lesion should be thoroughly cleaned and dried. Any necrotic tissue has to be removed. Care should be taken, as this is extremely painful.

The combined treatment with topical and parenteral treatment has been most successful in individual cases (Shearer and Elliott, 1998). Spraying with oxytetracycline and Lincomycin aerosol has been shown to be effective. The procedure requires proper restraint, raising the foot to examine and clean the lesion and then apply the topical treatment. The treatment appears to be most effective if it is allowed to dry and then the leg is resprayed before being released (Brizzi, 1993). The parenteral treatment with antibiotics has also been shown to be very effective (Dawson, 1999). 

The only effective treatment of chronic lesions is considered to be complete resection of the affected area under local anaesthesia by a veterinary surgeon. The wound should then be bandaged, after application of a topical antibiotic dressing, for several days.

Foot-bathing the herd with zinc or copper sulphate in the face of an outbreak may be tried, but has given inconclusive or poor results in treatment and may act as a way to spread the infection in the herd.

Foul-in-the-foot

Affected animals have to be isolated to prevent spread. In outbreaks, house affected animals, using clean, dry bedding, or move to high, well drained pastures.

Mild cases may recover spontaneously, but this is rare. Untreated cases often become progressive, affecting the joint and other tissues up the leg, and are then difficult to treat.

Usually, local therapy with antibiotic sprays does not produce a cure on its own, but this may be useful together with parenteral antibiotics. The foot has to be cleaned off, and necrotic tissue and any foreign body removed, before applying topical copper sulphate or oxytetracycline spray. Response to parenteral antimicrobial therapy is usually good following early treatment, with recovery occurring in two to four days. However, in neglected cases recovery may take as long as 10 to between 30 and 45 days (Berg and Loan, 1975). Procain penicillin G, twice daily, has been recommended (Bergsten, 1997). Ampicillin-containing products may also be useful. Short-acting oxytetracycline can be used as a course in dairy cows. Long-acting oxytetracycline as a single injection can be used in early cases in non-milk producing animals. 

Regular foot-bathing of the herd may help to control foul-in-the-foot. Both zinc and copper sulphate act as bacteriostats but the foot baths with these chemicals may act as a way of spreading the infection within the herd. A veterinarian should always be consulted before initiating a foot bath procedure in a herd.

Septic arthritis

Involvement of the joint is very serious and requires very prompt and radical treatment by a veterinary surgeon if there is to be any improvement or salvage. Action includes systemic antibiotics and other treatments, such as joint drainage.

Joint-ill

Clean bedding is very important in the calving shed and calf house. Ensure newborn calves receive sufficient colostrum in the first 24 hours of life, particularly in the first 6 hours. The umbilical cord should be treated with a strong iodine solution.

Joint-ill is very serious and requires very prompt and radical treatment with systemic antibiotics by a veterinary surgeon.

Hock Damage and Hygromas

Consult your vet for appropriate treatment of hygroma. Severe cases may require surgery to drain them. Housing may need improving.