bovis - Articles
Foot block: technique
Introduction
- Blocks applied to sound claws improve the cure rate, comfort and locomotion of bovines with claw lesions.
Uses
- Treatment of :
- sole bruising
- sole ulcers Sole ulcer
- white line lesions White line disease
- necrotic hoof lesions Necrotic hoof lesions
- heel ulcers
- any other painful lesion affecting a single claw.
Advantages
- Painful and diseased claw raised off the ground during standing and locomotion.
Disadvantages
- More weight is applied through the claw with the block applied.
- An incorrectly applied block may result in complications.
Technical problems
- Pain or disease in the blocked claw which was not detected.
- Ensuring appropriate block size and shape is chosen.
- Ensuring block is placed on the sound claw to allow stable locomotion, without tipping backward on heel (toe tipping in air) or excessive inward angling of the block.
- Ensuring block retention.
- Ensuring block removal when necessary.
Alternative techniques
- Removal of spare heel depth in the back 2/3 of an affected lateral hind claw and medial foreclaw.
- Encase the foot in plaster of paris or similar, ensuring that the sound claw is weight bearing.
Time required
Preparation
- 1 minute.
Procedure
- Check for painful lesions in the claw to receive the block.
- If a significant lesion is detected then do not proceed.
- Thoroughly clean the sound claw, using a rasp, rotating disc or multiple scrapes with a hoof knife.
- The extent of the rasping will depend on the type of block to be applied.
- If a block is to be glued to the wall then the walls also need to be cleaned.
- Remove surface moisture with a heat gun or flame.
Requirements
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Preparation
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Technique
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Aftercare
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Outcomes
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Further Reading
Publications
Refereed Papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
- Thomas H J, Miguel-Pacheco G G, Bollard N J et al (2015) Evaluation of treatments for claw horn lesions in dairy cows in a randomized controlled trial. J Dairy Sci 98, 4477–4486 PubMed.
- Thomas H J, Miguel-Pacheco G G, Bollard N J et al (2014) Evaluation of four treatments for claw horn lesions in dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 98, 4477–4486 PubMed.
- Blowey R, Girdler C & Thomas C (1999) Persistence of foot blocks used in the treatment of lame cows. Vet Rec 144, 642 VetMedResource.
- Pyman M F (1997) Comparison of bandaging and elevation of the claw for the treatment of foot lameness in dairy cows. Aust Vet J 75, 132 PubMed.
- Blowey R (1996) Cowslips: the alternative to the foot block. Bovine Practitioner 51.
Other sources of information
- Rollins T. Techniques for the modification of foot-blocks(cowslips) in the treatment of complicated claw lesions. In: XI International Symposium on Disorders of the Ruminant Digit and III International Conference on Bovine Lameness. Parma, Italy. pp 264.