Page 18 - ACV Journal DECEMBER 2015

Scientific
BORDER VET GROUP
HOOF TRIMMING
Jason Wright and Shayne Mostyn
Border Veterinary Clinic added a hoof trimming service to its business in
November 2015. BVC purchased an Appleton Steel Hydraulic chute and
trained staff in Baraboo, Wisconsin. Since then approximately 4000 cattle
have been put through the chute - pasture based dairy, feedlot dairy and
feedlot beef cattle. The chute is used for maintenance trimming as well as
the treatment of lame cattle.
A significant amount of time was spent researching trimming chutes both in
Australia and the United States. The Appleton chute was selected based on
its vertical design, the fact its design facilitates easy cow flow in and out of
the chute as well maintaining cow comfort at all times – it is not uncommon
for cow’s to continue chewing their cud whilst being trimmed; one farmer
even enjoys feeding his girls whilst they receive their pedicure! The chute
has a conventional design – entry from the rear and a head bale at the
front. Once head-baled, the entire chute lifts vertically keeping the cow in
a natural upright position. Each leg is easily restrained (ropes at the back
using hydraulics for lifting, a steel swinging arm at the front, again under
hydraulics), securing the foot at a comfortable working height for the trimmer.
At BVC the trimmer and vets have tried a range of different blocks and glues.
It has come up with a combination that works well where cows trimmed are
mostly pasture based, grazing irrigation country and may walk up to 6km
(and that’s just to and from the dairy!) Primarily, 25mm hardwood blocks are
used on larger Holsteins and 19mm timber blocks on smaller cows (jerseys
and smaller cross breeds). Hardwood blocks are used when lesions are
expected to heal within 4-6 weeks, by which time the timber has worn down
– this accounts for about 90% of lesions treated. On the other 10% of cases,
rubber blocks are used. When rubber blocks are used a revisit is scheduled
in 6 weeks to assess healing and if complete, to remove the remainder of
the block. This is especially the case if cowslips are applied as they can
hang on for many months and can lead to the development of lameness. The
rubber blocks we have used include Technovit, Accublocks and Walk Ease.
Our preference is Bovi Bond rubber blocks and on occasion, Cow Slips.
We also use Accusoles for blocking bulls, prior to joining. BVC have also
tried numerous types of glue. Hoof-Tite glue is our preference – it is easy to
use, bonds quickly and there is no wastage compared to some other types
on the market.
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t: 1300 71988 74T7he| Afu: s+t6r1al3ia9n8C9a4tt8le99V1eterinarian | volume 77 | December 2015
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Trimming is done with regular trimming tools: angle grinder with Rotoclip
discs and hoof knives. Protective goggles and gloves are always worn by
the operator. Following a trimming session basic biosecurity procedures
are undertaken including washing all hand tools in iodine and the chute
is cleaned using a high pressure wash to eliminate the risk of transferring
“problems” from farm to farm.
One of the most useful pieces of equipment used when hoof trimming is a
computer tablet (mounted on the chute) that runs Hoof Supervisor software.
Whilst the computer can’t trim the cow’s feet (!) the software allows for the
tracking of every cow’s trimming history. This is extremely useful – as the
cow enters the chute and her ID entered, all pertinent trimming/lameness
information is provided. Further, it is very easy to setup the software to
provide recheck reminders. The software is a comprehensive reporting
system and at the completion of each trimming session, a detailed report
indicating the number of cow’s trimmed (including ID), lesions identified
and severity and further treatment schedule if needed, are provided to the
farmer. On an individual farm basis, using the software, it is possible to
readily identify lameness trends, which obviously allows for discussions to
be held with the farmer about specific lameness prevention.
To date, BVC has reports on over 4000 cows that have been trimmed/
treated. 1821 animals had some form of recordable lesion even though
serious lameness was not present – almost 30% were axial wall cracks,
19% white line lesions, 11% thin soles and 6% digital dermatitis. Footrot
accounted for less than 1% of recordable lesions.
NSAIDs and antibiotics are used when required. NSAIDs are used when
the animal is severely lame. Antibiotics are only used when dealing with
infectious causes of lameness or when it’s established there is a high chance
of infection of deeper hoof structures. In the majority of cases, removing all
damaged and necrotic horn, providing good drainage and getting a block on
the sound claw to allow the damaged claw to heal, provides the right result
for the cow. If treated early, very few animals receive either antibiotics and/
or NSAID therapy. Active digital dermatitis is treated with topical sprays.
Systemic therapy is given when active lesions are present with swelling
extending proximally up the leg to involve the fetlock and above.
For more information see our website www.bvgtrimming.com.au
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