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Treating thin soles in lame cows
Thin soles are a common non-infectious cause of lameness, which requires altering the cow’s environment to manage the condition.
Symptoms
- Red or yellowish areas on the sole
- Thin soles
- Soles which flex when pressed
- Cow walks stiffly
- More than one foot may be affected
- Sole bruising – this appears as red areas
Animals commonly affected
Freshly calved heifers which are not acclimatised to concrete/cubicles are often affected by sole bruising. Others include stock bulls and cows that regularly walk a long way on cow tracks.
How to treat it
- If only one claw is affected, apply a block to the healthy claw.
- Do not remove excessive horn – the soles are often already thin.
- Rest the cow.
- Keep the cow on a soft surface (pasture or straw yard) until healed.
For extensive grazing herds, switch to once-per-day milking and keep affected cows in a paddock close to the parlour while recovering.
Useful links
If you would like to order a hard copy of the Hoof care field guide, please contact publications@ahdb.org.uk or call 0247 799 0069.