Ask the Vet

Dr. Ken McMillan, Contributing Columnist

DTN is rerunning this column from our archives because it's still relevant and useful advice.

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READER QUESTION:

My cows' hooves are splitting. These are my mature cows. What do I need to do about this?

DR. KEN MCMILLAN'S ANSWER:

Cracks in hooves are fairly common in cattle, and many factors can be involved, including environment, size and body condition of the cow, size and shape of the claw, nutrition and genetics.

Horizontal cracks are usually associated with stressful events like calving, illness or changes in nutrition. A cow's hoof is a history book of the life of that cow, and there are grooves that relate to changes during the last year or so. Grooves are normal, but severe disruption can lead to a crack in the claw or claws. If the crack is full thickness, it can pinch the sensitive hoof underneath and lead to pain and lameness. In these cases, your veterinarian needs to remove the lower portion, or "thimble."

Vertical or sand cracks are more common. In most cases, sand cracks are not full-thickness, and the hoof responds by thickening and becoming stronger around the crack. Sand cracks are most common on the outside claw of the front foot. Fortunately, sand cracks rarely lead to lameness. When we see a lame cow with a sand crack, we look for another issue that may be causing pain, such as an abscess.

Some breeds seem predisposed to cracks, and even some family lines within a breed are more likely to develop cracks. Other reasons we see cracks include vitamin and mineral deficiencies, aging cows and moisture. Wet conditions soften the hoof, and this can lead to a number of foot problems and even lameness. Very dry conditions can also be a problem, leading to brittle hooves, which are much more prone to cracking.

No matter the cause, if there is lameness, the cows need treatment. If the crack is full-thickness and unstable, it needs to be cleaned out. Often, we wire the crack together to stabilize, allowing the hoof to regrow normally.

So what can you do to help prevent cracks? Avoiding sudden nutritional changes is always good management. In addition, make sure cattle always have access to a high-quality, complete vitamin and mineral formulated for your area and meeting the needs of your cattle. If cattle have very long toes, foot-trimming may be required. Lastly, watch for any genetic trends, and use this in making culling decisions moving forward.

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Editor's Note: Please contact your veterinarian with questions about the health of your herd or other animals. Every operation is unique, and the information in this column does not pertain to all situations. This is not intended as medical advice but is purely for informational purposes. Email Dr. Ken McMillan at vet@dtn.com.

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