An international European research institute, which experienced a sudden increase of hoof problems, started a once-a-week herd protocol with Intra Hoof-fit Spray and succeeded to control the situation within a timeframe of two months.

Traditional hoof bathing strategies may be effective in the prevention of hoof problems, but only when the right product (Intra Hoof-fit Bath1) and protocol (optimal frequency, location, refreshing, etc.) are used. We developed and launched Intra Hoof-fit Spray as a ready-to-use hoof spray innovation, based on the Hoof-fit technology of chelated minerals with a proven long-lasting adhesion even to wet hooves2. This enables farmers to apply fresh product on the right spot on every single hoof using for example a low-pressure or automatic sprayer.

An international European research institute with lactating dairy cows was performing hoof checks and individual treatment of hoof problems with a monthly interval. During the end of the grazing period of October 2019, 2% hoof problems were individually treated during this month (Figure 1). At the start of the indoor winter season 2019/2020, an experimental hoof bathing protocol with only water for a couple of times per week was started, which unexpectedly resulted in a sudden increase to 27% hoof problems (November - January). This was an alarming quick increase!

HOOF PROBLEMS PER MONTH

Figure 1. Hoof problems per month rapidly increased during experimental bathing and were quickly reduced again by Intra Hoof-fit Spray application.

In order to reverse these problems, they prematurely cancelled the bathing trial and started a herd protocol by weekly spraying the hind legs of all animals with Intra Hoof-fit Spray. Already in the first month using Intra Hoof-fit Spray (February), the incidence dropped to 6%. This further decreased to a stable 0-2% in the following four months (March - June), which is far below the 8-17% average of the preceding four years. . The observation that mainly front feet remained affected emphasizes the importance of spraying all feet, because the spray was applied only on the hind legs. Please note that animals with severe hoof problems (for example acute Digital Dermatitis M2 lesions) at all times received individual treatment at regular hoof trimming.

THESE RESULTS DEMONSTRATE:

One time a week preventive application of Intra Hoof-fit Spray is able to reduce a significant level of hoof problems within two months.

During the four month follow-up, hoof problems remained lower than its preceding four years average.

This realized reduction during the challenging indoor season (February and March had rainy winter conditions) was even better than the level of hoof problems typically observed during the problem-free grazing season.

Don’t forget to spray the front legs.

Intra Hoof-fit Spray is thus an easy and effective method to optimally support hoof condition.

References

1 Jacobs, C., Beninger, C., Hazlewood, G. S., Orsel, K., & Barkema, H. W. (2019). Effect of footbath protocols for prevention and treatment of digital dermatitis in dairy cattle: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Preventive veterinary medicine, 164, 56-71.

2 Roijackers DDJAM, Lammers G, Kloosterman P (2019). Spot treatment, not pit treatment: Evaluating claw contact time of a spray product under field conditions. Proceedings of the 12th International conference on Lameness in Ruminants, Tokyo, Japan.