Treating Laminitis In Dairy Cows

Laminitis has been described in many species but is most common in equine and bovine.

Treating laminitis in dairy cows.

Controlling subclinical laminitis see laminitis in cattle in a high production intensively managed dairy herd requires a systematic epidemiologic study. Injectable diphenhydramine 0 5 to 1 0 mg kg iv im. Although bovine laminitis is most common in dairy cows it has been reported in all ages and sexes. Though there is no effective treatment for laminitis edwards says consistent bunk management and using adequate step up rations can help prevent it.

Correct grain overload keeping the animal moving and the claws cool. The greeks aristotle associated equine laminitis with indigestion. To feed carbohydrates correctly fiber levels must be measured using neutral detergent fiber ndf and acid detergent fiber adf values. Treatment for subclinical laminitis is impractical because diagnosis in an individual animal is not possible at the time of the causative insult s.

Proper foot trimming is essential to prevent and manage claw problems. The functional approach to claw trimming allows for correction of claw problems. Nsaid non steroidal anti inflammatory drug injectable ketoprofen 2 to 4 mg kg im iv. The greek name of the disease kritiasis relates to overfeeding of barley.

Antihistamines may be useful e g. Edwards also spoke about downed cattle. The first priority he says is to determine of the animal is down but alert or moribund.