Normal Foot Overgrown hooves require trimming, particularly confined animals who are not able to naturally wear down their hooves. Report any animal with signs of injury or lameness-abnormal gait or movement, pain, swelling, or redness. Cattle in lots are subject to many problems of the feet including sole ulcers, infection of the area between the two claws and injuries due to pieces of wire or nails. Death may result from sudden onset laminitis, although that is not common. Early signs are lameness, redness of the skin in the area of the coronary band and tenderness when the hoof wall has pressure applied.
Treatment is most effective when discovered early and aggressively followed.
Temperature is not usually a problem for older cattle so long as they have protection from direct sun and driving rain or snow. Adequate control of humidity and drafts is of paramount importance for the health of young calves. Report any changes, no matter how slight and subtle to the unit supervisor and the Farm Animal Veterinarian. In addition, it is easy for a cow to step on a teat when getting up and down so be sure to report any teat injuries. Young male cattle are born with descended testicles.