Treating Laminitis In Dairy Cows

The greeks aristotle associated equine laminitis with indigestion.

Treating laminitis in dairy cows. Rations that lead to acidosis are followed by laminitis but this is difficult to manage when the largest percentage of diets for dairy cattle contain carbohydrates. Laminitis has been described in many species but is most common in equine and bovine. Nsaid non steroidal anti inflammatory drug injectable ketoprofen 2 to 4 mg kg im iv. The functional approach to claw trimming allows for correction of claw problems.

Treatment for subclinical laminitis is impractical because diagnosis in an individual animal is not possible at the time of the causative insult s. Antihistamines may be useful e g. Proper foot trimming is essential to prevent and manage claw problems. Correct grain overload keeping the animal moving and the claws cool.

To feed carbohydrates correctly fiber levels must be measured using neutral detergent fiber ndf and acid detergent fiber adf values. The first priority he says is to determine of the animal is down but alert or moribund. Although bovine laminitis is most common in dairy cows it has been reported in all ages and sexes. Controlling subclinical laminitis see laminitis in cattle in a high production intensively managed dairy herd requires a systematic epidemiologic study.

Though there is no effective treatment for laminitis edwards says consistent bunk management and using adequate step up rations can help prevent it. Laminitic lesions of the claw are not always a result of poor feeding practices. Injectable diphenhydramine 0 5 to 1 0 mg kg iv im.