Laminitis

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Attention! This is a potentially life-threatening condition for your Cow. Time is of the essence, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Laminitis

Founder, Coriosis

Laminitis is a painful claw condition in cattle resulting from inflammation of the laminar corium in the hoof wall. It is a local manifestation of systemic metabolism disorder in cows. It can be brought on by a multitude of different factors--including nutrition, management, confirmation, genetics, calving, and burdening of the lateral claw of the rear feet.

Laminitis is one of the most significant hoof-related conditions resulting in lameness in dairy cows--it accounts for over 41% of lameness cases. Laminitis can occur as subclinical and clinical stages

Symptoms

Painful, hot feet
Depression
Severe lameness
Abnormal stance
Laying down
Stiffness
Abnormal gait
Malformation of feet
Horizontal lines on wall of hoof
Widened white line
Concave dorsal wall of feet

Diagnosis

  • History
  • Clinical signs
  • Physical exam
  • Radiographs

Treatment


Treatment TypeDetailsReference
Systemic NSAIDs (flunixine meglumine, meloxicam)
CorticosteroidsShould not be given to pregnant cows
Diuretics
Provide access to soft ground and area to exercise
Provide a balanced diet with no concentrates until acute phase is over
Hoof trimming

Prevention

  • Do not feed more than 2 kg of daily concentrated feed to cattle
  • Provide continuous access to roughage immediately prior to and after feeding concentrated feed
  • Provide supplemental iodide or rock salt
  • Supplemental 1% sodium bicarbonate added to concentrate ration, spread out in 3-4 daily portions
  • Provide high fiber diets
  • Ensure cattle receive regular claw trimmings by an experienced farrier
  • Minimize exposure to hard surfaces such as stone and concrete

Article Reference

Risk Factors

  • Unbalanced diet
  • Diet containing high proportions of concentrate feed
  • Recently calved heifers
  • Keeping cattle in feedlots with little grass to eat
  • Recently suffered from subacute ruminal acidosis
  • Recent trauma
  • Excessive standing

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