The cow is lame on the front or back leg: what to do

If a cow is lame on the hind leg, the reasons can be very different: from a simple sprain, after which the animal can recover on its own, to diseases of the joints and hooves. In most cases, lameness in cows is caused by excessive or abnormal growth of the stratum corneum, which deforms as a result of a lack of movement in winter – at this time the animals move little and the stratum corneum does not wear down. In summer, this problem often occurs in cows kept on closed farms.

Why does a cow drag its leg and limp?

Most often, the cow begins to limp or pull her leg due to various joint diseases, deformation of the stratum corneum and infections in the hoof area. The most common leg diseases in cattle include:

• bursitis;
• erosion;
• arthrosis;
• dermatitis;
• arthritis;
• laminitis.

If the stratum corneum on the legs of cows is simply deformed, a simple pruning will correct the situation, however, very often various complications are added to the growths in the form of suppuration and swelling. In this case, the assistance of a veterinarian is required, who must prescribe a follow-up treatment. As a first aid after trimming the stratum corneum, you can treat the cut site on the legs of cattle with an antiseptic so as not to aggravate the situation with any infection.

Also, cows can limp due to a dislocation or sprain – this is one of the easiest options. Sometimes animals do not even require treatment, they quickly recover without outside help. It is much more problematic if the cow’s leg bones have shifted from a blow or other mechanical impact. If a cow’s legs fail as a result of such injuries, it is pointless to start treatment – the animal is sent for slaughter.

You can determine if a cow is lame by the following signs:

• the animal moves very carefully and stiffly;
• it is difficult for him to get up;
• there is lethargy, apathy, refusal to feed;
• the cow may change positions frequently to relieve leg pain;
• sometimes, due to improper weight distribution, the cow bends forward too much.

Additionally, it is noted that in a sick cow, milk yield is noticeably reduced – from 30% and above. The reason is a loss of appetite, which can lead to a complete rejection of food.

Reasons if a cow’s leg is swollen above the hoof

Most often, swelling of the legs in cows in the area just above the hooves indicates phlegmon – a disease that is expressed in inflammation of the corolla of the stratum corneum. It affects the fiber under the skin. The disease is usually caused by an infection. An injury to the inflamed area can complicate the situation.

Additionally, phlegmon on the legs of cows is determined by the following features:

• animal weakness;
• the wall of the hoof begins to sag;
• the interhoof surface is noticeably swollen.

Bursitis is very dangerous for cows. If the animal not only limps and drags its leg, but also has a noticeable swelling in the area of ​​​​the joint on the wrist, this may be the beginning of the process of keratinization of this area. At the first stages of the development of bursitis, the animal can still be helped, however, a neglected disease cannot be treated.

Reasons if a cow has a leg pain, where is the hoof

In order to recognize the developing disease in time, at the first signs of lameness in a cow, the legs are examined, especially the hoof area. Mandatory preventive examinations are carried out in winter, when the herd moves little and the risk that the animals begin to limp increases significantly. Due to the lack of movement, the stratum corneum on the legs of cows ceases to wear down and, as a result, grows to a significant size so that the edge even begins to bend upwards.

In addition, problems can occur in soft areas of the hoof, for example, in a small lobe below and slightly behind the stratum corneum. This area is easily damaged during grazing, after which an infection can enter the wound. Ultimately, the animal begins to limp, and when examining the legs and pressing on the damaged area, pain occurs.

In most cases, pain in the hoof area occurs as a result of the development of fusobacteriosis (necrobacteriosis). The cow begins to limp and fall on her leg due to the fact that a large crack appears in the heel area, where soft tissues are located. The area around the damage quickly swells and becomes inflamed, after which the infection passes to the zone of the horn shoe and penetrates deep into.

Also, cattle often suffer from leg erosion, when the hooves are formed incorrectly and redistribution of loads occurs. From the outside, the pressure is stronger than from the inside. As a result, the internal soft tissues of the hoof are damaged, the process of decay begins, and the animal limps on the leg.

What to do if the cow is lame on the front or back leg

If a cow is lame on her back or front leg even slightly, it is necessary to start treatment as soon as possible. Even serious diseases of the joints and hooves are curable in the early stages. If the process is started, the cow will eventually have to be sent to the slaughterhouse.

Sometimes treatment, however, is not required at all. First you need to examine the sore leg – perhaps the animal is lame due to the fact that something is stuck between the junction of parts of the hooves. In this case, it is enough to remove the object and, just in case, disinfect the area of ​​uXNUMXbuXNUMXbcontact with it. If at the same time the cow’s hoof area on the hind or front leg is swollen, you should contact your veterinarian.

When a cow is lame, and at the same time the joint near the hoof is noticeably swollen, before the doctor arrives, the animal’s condition can be alleviated with the help of ichthyol ointment and a bandage. Additionally, you can make an injection of “Traumatina”.

If the veterinarian has diagnosed that the cow is lame on the back or front leg due to necrobacteriosis, it is important to isolate the sick individual and provide her with the most comfortable conditions for keeping. The bedding should be fresh and the floor clean to prevent infection on the affected leg. Treatment is carried out with the help of special foot baths. In addition, it is necessary to regularly remove dead tissue from the damaged area. In addition, with necrobacillosis, cattle need improved nutrition – it is recommended to introduce vitamin supplements into the diet. So, the cow will recover faster and stop limping.

If the disease is accompanied by the release of a large amount of pus, then it is necessary to apply an alcohol compress to the festering area. In some cases, antibiotics are required.

When the veterinarian diagnoses that a cow is lame in her leg due to a sprain, the animal is prescribed rest and temporary isolation from the rest of the herd. A compressive bandage is applied to the sore leg and cold for 2 days. Then carry out warming procedures. Usually this is enough, and soon the sick individual ceases to limp.

With erosion on the legs of cattle, you must first clean the stratum corneum from dirt and treat it with an antiseptic. In the presence of purulent ulcers, antiseptic ointments should be applied to them. Further treatment involves attaching a special heel to the hoof.

If inflammation is observed on the legs of a sick animal with the formation of pus, treatment always begins with opening the affected cavity. Then it is cleaned, washed with hydrogen peroxide or potassium permanganate and a cotton turunda is made. It is abundantly impregnated with Vishnevsky’s ointment, after which cotton wool is attached to the wound.

Prevention of lameness

The treatment of cattle is often associated with high financial costs, so it is easier to prevent diseases of the joints and hooves. This is achieved through simple preventive measures:

• it is necessary to provide cows with sanitary conditions – the litter is changed in a timely manner, and the stalls are cleaned;
• the hoof area is inspected from time to time, checked for moisture levels and cleaned;
• periodically the horny layer of the hoof must be cut off if it grows too much;
• cattle feed is of high quality, preferably with vitamin supplements (prevention of bursitis);
• the floor surface should ideally be covered with rubber mats;
• sometimes it is necessary to make special baths for cattle hooves (as a filling, a solution of 10% zinc is suitable every 10 days, which is poured 25 cm in height).

Conclusion

If the cow is lame on the hind leg, it is urgent to consult a veterinarian, as there can be many reasons for this phenomenon. Self-diagnosis is made difficult by the fact that the symptoms of many diseases of the legs and joints in cows are very similar. The wrong course of treatment can only harm a sick animal. On the other hand, if you start the disease and delay treatment, a full recovery may become impossible. In this case, the sick cow is sent for slaughter.

You can learn more about what to do if a cow has a swollen leg and is lame in the video below: