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Hoof problems in cattle
 With any hoofed animal it is important to look after and properly maintain their hooves and be aware of conditions and diseases that could affect their welfare and performance.
Infections in the foot such as abscesses or ulcers on the sole may stem from cracks that have occurred because of either very soft or very hard feet. Soft feet are often a result of standing in urine whilst living in over the winter. Hard feet can also occur when living in but more so if bedded on shavings instead of straw, this can result in cracks coming down the hoof allowing the chance of infection high up in the foot.
One very common condition is foot rot, this is caused by the bacterium Fusiformis necrophorus which can be picked up in barns, yards or out at pasture. If a cow has foot rot then lameness is often a symptom coupled with swelling above the coronet and cracks, left untreated the infection can spread and cause permanent damage.
Heel erosions are often seen in wet conditions and are more likely to be seen in cattle with over grown hooves that shift the weight back on to the heels. Starting as small pits on the surface of the heel these can become grooves that fill with mud and bacteria.
Laminitis can result in long, overgrown and deformed feet, animals will be quite lame and stiff and haemorrhages may be found in the soles and walls of the foot. Infections can be seen where the wall and the sole separate. Laminitis can be a nutritional issue if you are feeding high volumes of soluble carbohydrates that can cause rumen acidosis. However other metabolic disorders and environmental factors can also be attributed to cases of laminitis as there is no one cause.
Sole ulcers are raw sores, often a sign of clinical manifestation of laminitis, if 10% of a herd has sole ulcers the rest should be suspected for laminitis. However sole ulcers can occur due to excessive wear, exposure to moisture and manure and poor hoof trimming.
To prevent such conditions it is important not only to keep a close eye on your cattle but to ensure that correct hoof trimming is regularly carried out, and that housing and environmental conditions are favourable.
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