Causes and Treatment of Laminitis in Cattle
Cattle farming is a relatively mature industry in China, with cattle raised in every region of the country. However, when raising cattle, problems often arise that affect their growth, and laminitis is one of them. It generally occurs on the inner side of the front limbs and the outer side of the hind limbs, making it very difficult for the cattle to move. So what causes laminitis in cattle? And how should it be treated? Below, the editor will give you a brief introduction. Let's take a look!
I. Causes
1. Nutritional elements
When feeding cattle, if the soil is changed along with the feed, or if concentrate feed is overfed, it can lead to problems such as ruminal acidosis in cattle. This affects rumen fermentation in cattle and produces a large amount of substances such as histamine. These then act on the capillaries in the hoof tissue of the cattle, causing inflammation and leading to the occurrence of laminitis.
2. Management factors
The environment of the cattle shed is also a major factor in the onset of laminitis in cattle, especially the quality of the shed floor, such as bedding straw and sanitation. If sanitation is poor, the hooves become irritated. If cattle are transported for long periods and walk on roads with a lot of gravel, the hooves suffer mechanical damage, leading to laminitis. Then there are disease causes, especially in cows: when diseases such as endometritis or retained placenta occur, they affect protein breakdown in the cow's body. This leads to excessive absorption of inflammation-causing substances such as histamine.
II. Treatment
Nutritional management
First, we definitely need to do a good job in nutritional management, rationally formulate the nutritional ratio of the diet, and raise the cattle in groups. We must ensure the proper ratio of concentrate to roughage and properly regulate the content of nutrients such as calcium and phosphorus. Then we must keep the pH value in the cattle's rumen well controlled at around 6.3-6.4. Buffering agents can be added appropriately. Then we must do a good job in managing the cattle shed, clean up manure regularly, and keep the cattle shed in a quiet and dry environment. We must also do a good job in sanitation management of the cattle shed to reduce bacterial reproduction and avoid the occurrence of hoof disease. In addition, sufficient clean bedding should be laid on the cattle bed, and the cattle should be ensured at least 4 hours of rest time every day.
Hoof management
After laminitis occurs, hoof cleaning should be carried out in time. Clean the dirt off the hooves, then trim them. Expose the affected area and clean out the necrotic tissue. Then apply tincture of iodine, furacilin powder, and anti-inflammatory powder to the diseased hoof, then apply ichthammol externally and wrap the diseased hoof with a bandage. If suppuration occurs, first drain all the pus completely, then rinse with hydrogen peroxide. Change the dressing about once every three days, and it will generally heal after about three times.
The above is a brief introduction to the causes and treatment of laminitis in cattle. In addition to the above treatment measures, we should also regularly spray and bathe the hooves and trim the hooves regularly. After onset, determine whether it is primary or secondary, and then take corresponding measures. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only, and we hope it can help everyone!