Efficiency of "hoof protect" in group processing of hooves in cows

Abstract

Diseases of the distal part of the extremities of cattle under the conditions of intensive system of cattle breeding is a widespread phenomenon. The high density of animals on large industrial farms is usually accompanied by such phenomena as result of limited movement, identical feeding, increased contacts of animals with mechanized objects, and more frequent stressful situations leading to a decrease in natural resistance. As a result, the incidences of hoof diseases in cows are increasing and lead to significant economic losses due to decrease in milk yield, live weight, and premature culling of animals. This problem exists in many countries of the world including the CIS countries. It is necessary to notice that one of the causes of the diseases of the fingers is the deformation of the hooves, which develops in the absence of regular orthopedic clearing. An important role to prevent the development of diseases of the hooves belongs to the organization of preventive measures at livestock holdings. To increase the resistance of the hooves to diseases and for treatment purposes, foot baths with hypertonic solution of copper sulfate, formalin and other drugs are offered by the pharmaceutical industry. The bath for hoofs will have the expected impact only if the cow put all four limbs into the solution. It can be ensured in case the bath has at least 3.5 - 4.0 m in length and 0.7 - 0.8 m in width. Moreover, the height of the entrance should be about 20 cm - then additional fingers will be handled. Following the regulations of hooves disinfection leads to high health status of herd.