Hoof Health / Lameness Prevention
Written protocols should be in place and reviewed annually with your veterinarian and employees to ensure that certain procedures are carried out appropriately.
Goals:
To reduce the occurrence of lameness in the herd and quickly identify and treat lame cows
How to assess:
Review the hoof health/lameness prevention protocol to confirm that the following information is included and that appropriate criteria are being met:
Dairy Well
Review the hoof health protocol to confirm that the following information is included and that appropriate criteria are being met:
- Should aim for moderate lameness in less than 15% of the lactating herd and severe lameness in less than 1% of it
- Plans are in place for routine hoof trimming
- A schedule exists for regular lameness and lesion scoring
- A plan is in place for what to do with unresponsive lameness (action within 30 days and follow up within 90 days)
- Signed by VOR
|
|
A template is provided as a guideline; farms may write their own as long as minimum content is met.
National Dairy FARM Program
- Routinely survey hoof, feet, and leg health for potential lameness
- Maintain clean facilities with routine maintenance
- Routine hoof trimming for each animal twice a year
- Routine footbath solution for cows to use as they exit the parlor
- If lameness is found, segregate the animal to properly treat in a way that minimizes pain
- Keep separate until full recovery, milk/meat withholds, and pain management have been satisfied
- Record treatment