Observation Regarding Hoof Blocks Use In Dairy Cows

Hoof health, detection and treatment of lameness are major challenges for veterinarians due to the high incidence in the herd and major economical loss. Early detection and treatment minimizes the losses, due to treatment costs and decrease of milk quantity.The research tried to elaborate a therapeutic protocol which minimizes the pain, and diminishes the recovery period by applying hoof blocks in lame cows.The study was performed on 180 dairy Holstein cows (at "Action Felix" Dairy farm) in Oradea, from June 2012 to June 2013, using two types of blocks: foam (Walkease) and wooden (BoviBond). The cows were divided in three lots.If the claw needs longer time for healing, the affected claw can be elevated by applying a foam hoof or wooden block to relieve the weight bearing from the affected claw. Resting the affected hoof is highly efficient to promote healing and pain relief. This encourages the cow to move around, to feed as the pain is relieved.The hoof blocks allows the cow to walk around freely, as the foam or wooden block wears down, the hoof disease is given time to heal. During a period of time, the blocks will worn down completely and the disease will be healed.