By Dirksen, G., Praktische Tierarzt, 1997
Description
A tie stall with metal slatted grates (above the manure channel) was converted to loose housing with cubicles, the central walk area with solid concrete floor and the peripheral walk ways with concrete slatted floor. The herd of 38 diary cows was moved to the free stall and thereafter - that is during the following six weeks - eight cows had to be slaughtered for severe hoof diseases. The farmer was convinced, that the hoof lesions were caused by the scraper cleaning the solid concrete area. - The hooves of a cow just going to be slaughtered show intensive abrasion of the sole, the white line and the bearing border of the wall in the apical part, Alterations of the same type show the hooves of further two slaughtered cows. Several hooves show deep defects of the apical sole including the dermis and deeper structures. The solid concrete floor has a comparatively rough surface, however, also the surface of the concrete slats is rough and their edges are uneven. A metal plate of the installations is fixed on the floor with projecting screws and has sharp edges. - The abrasion of the hooves mainly can be attributed to the rough surface of the solid concrete floor. Furthermore, a high locomotor activity as well as an unsufficient prophylaxis may have played a role
A tie stall with metal slatted grates (above the manure channel) was converted to loose housing with cubicles, the central walk area with solid concrete floor and the peripheral walk ways with concrete slatted floor. The herd of 38 diary cows was moved to the free stall and thereafter - that is during the following six weeks - eight cows had to be slaughtered for severe hoof diseases. The farmer was convinced, that the hoof lesions were caused by the scraper cleaning the solid concrete area. - The hooves of a cow just going to be slaughtered show intensive abrasion of the sole, the white line and the bearing border of the wall in the apical part, Alterations of the same type show the hooves of further two slaughtered cows. Several hooves show deep defects of the apical sole including the dermis and deeper structures. The solid concrete floor has a comparatively rough surface, however, also the surface of the concrete slats is rough and their edges are uneven. A metal plate of the installations is fixed on the floor with projecting screws and has sharp edges. - The abrasion of the hooves mainly can be attributed to the rough surface of the solid concrete floor. Furthermore, a high locomotor activity as well as an unsufficient prophylaxis may have played a role
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