Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Working practices of cattle foot trimmers used for footcare in dairy cattle compared with those of veterinary surgeons for treatment of lameness in large animal practice.
- Journal:
- Journal of veterinary medicine. A, Physiology, pathology, clinical medicine
- Year:
- 2004
- Authors:
- O'Callaghan Lowe, K A et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Science and Animal Husbandry · United Kingdom
Plain-English summary
A study looked at how cattle foot trimmers and veterinarians manage lameness, or pain in the legs, in dairy cows. They sent out a questionnaire to both groups and found that while both considered lameness to be painful, they had different approaches to treatment. Most trimmers and veterinarians used special shoes to help relieve pressure on the cows' sore feet, and about a third of the veterinarians used local pain relief during treatment. However, only a small number of them used painkillers to help manage discomfort. Overall, the study highlighted some differences in practices between trimmers and veterinarians, but both groups recognized the importance of addressing pain in lame cattle.
Abstract
A questionnaire was sent to 270 veterinary surgeons and 135 cattle foot trimmers, investigating their perceptions on lameness and associated pain, with particular emphasis on dairy cattle. Response rates were 58 and 51%, respectively, but the number of respondents fully answering each question varied. Cattle foot trimming methods, opinions on pain associated with lameness and methods used to control pain were investigated. Responses of both groups were compared. No veterinary surgeon attended more than 50 lame cattle per month. The 'Dutch Method' of foot trimming was always used by 47% of veterinary respondents and 89% of trimmers. Both groups considered lameness to be potentially painful. Orthopaedic shoes were used by 79% of responding veterinary surgeons and 97% of trimmers (P < 0.001) to alleviate weightbearing by diseased digits. Housing lame cows on straw was regularly recommended by approximately one-third of both groups. Around a third of veterinary surgeons used local anaesthetics when treating lame cattle. Only 27% used analgesics when treating lame cattle.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15610487/