Lame Cattle Standard Operating Procedures

Heel Crack (heel horn erosion) Standard Operating Procedures

SOP number: Lameness Treatment #5

Written by ______

Date effective______

Last modified______

Describes the care required for a cow with heel cracks (heel horn erosion).

Location: Hoof table.

# of employees: _1-2______.

Skill level: Employees listed in Lame Cows SOP.

Equipment and supplies: hoof trimming tool set, hoof medication supply set, drug holdout legbands.

Result expected:

·  Treatment of heel cracks on one or more feet

·  Proper follow-up for severity of problem

Protocols:

Severity score 1 – Small pock marks of erosion or small fissures.

Remove undermined hoof . Yes___ No___ Not applicable___

Clean with soap and water. Yes___ No___

Apply topical medication Yes___ No___ Medication ______

Apply block to opposite toe Yes___ No___

Apply foot wrap: Yes___ No___

Administer systemic antibiotics: Yes___ No___ Medication and dose______

Recheck: ASAP by veterinarian___ By farm employee 1 Day ____ 1 week ______Not required ______

Housing: Return to regular pen___ Put in lame cow pen____ Cull cow pen___ Other___

Apply treated cow leg band: Yes___ No___

Schedule follow-up medication: Yes___ No___

Schedule follow-up exam: Yes___ No___

Severity score 2 – Single large fissure across entire heel.

Remove undermined hoof . Yes___ No___ Not applicable___

Clean with soap and water. Yes___ No___

Apply topical medication Yes___ No___ Medication ______

Apply block to opposite toe Yes___ No___

Apply foot wrap: Yes___ No___

Administer systemic antibiotics: Yes___ No___ Medication and dose______

Recheck: ASAP by veterinarian___ By farm employee 1 Day ____ 1 week ______Not required ______

Housing: Return to regular pen___ Put in lame cow pen____ Cull cow pen___ Other___

Apply treated cow leg band: Yes___ No___

Schedule follow-up medication: Yes___ No___

Schedule follow-up exam: Yes___ No___

Severity score 3 – Deep multiple fissure across entire heel with extensive erosion.

Remove undermined hoof . Yes___ No___ Not applicable___

Clean with soap and water. Yes___ No___

Apply topical medication Yes___ No___ Medication ______

Apply block to opposite toe Yes___ No___

Apply foot wrap: Yes___ No___

Administer systemic antibiotics: Yes___ No___ Medication and dose______

Recheck: ASAP by veterinarian___ By farm employee 1 Day ____ 1 week ______Not required ______

Housing: Return to regular pen___ Put in lame cow pen____ Cull cow pen___ Other___

Apply treated cow leg band: Yes___ No___

Schedule follow-up medication: Yes___ No___

Schedule follow-up exam: Yes___ No___