Have you ever noticed that athlete’s ankles get injured, they are wrapped with bandages? The same goes for the Cattles. If their hoof ever gets hobbled, it has to be quickly bandaged to avoid any infection.
Each Cattle has to face a different environment in the herd, Sometimes it’s well managed and herd owners keep the area well maintained but that is not the case with each herd. There is a number of bacteria that can affect hoof as well as the overall health of cattle.
Therefore, protecting them is very important. Furthermore, Cattles who suffer from hoof diseases need proper attention and care. One of the best techniques for hoof care is hoof wrapping which is generally done to keep the hoof products to stay longer on the hoof.
But, how to wrap a Cattle’s hoof? Do you know the right hoof wrapping tips? Strangely shaped and filled with dirt and debris, the hoof is the trickiest part of the Cattle body to cover with a wrap. Any warp that is not done properly will likely become loose and assimilate more dirt. And, without a wrap, it would not be possible to heal other leg and foot injuries.
Why cattle hoof needs bandaging:
- It secures the wounds, abscesses, cracks or surgical sites from being contaminated
- Using them, you can easily apply hoof care gel and hoof care products to the solar or corners of the foot
- It minimizes swelling
- It helps in healing wounds quickly
- It reduces the motion on the lower leg and immobilizes the injured tissue
- It supports structure like ligaments, tendons, and bones
Here’s The Tutorial To Follow:
- First, cover the clean and dried area of the hoof with a simple wrap (without medication). Then dress the wound by using a veterinary wrap by firmly holding the injury with your thumb.
- Now secure the first layer by re-applying the wrap around the hoof twice or thrice. Keep a moderate pressure as you cover the wound.
- Wrap the bandage in the ‘8’ pattern taking the bottom and the upper side of the hoof. Cover the wrap to the heel, front of the toe, and to the up-and-over the opposite side of the heel. Continue until all wrap is covered. Keep a small gap near the toe to allow moisture to come out completely.
Important Thing To Keep In Mind:
- Since the lower leg and the foot with many important structures, even a minor injury to the heel, hoof or pastern should be checked by the vet.
- Since the area at the lower leg is vascular, it would bleed heavily. However, applying pressure can control the bleeding. Just keep in mind that the pressure should be changed within an hour or two.
- When doing bandage, keep the pressure on it to secure it in place. Just make sure that you don’t wrap it too tight that it becomes hard to even slip a finger between the bandage.
- Keep a check on the bandage to ensure it’s not cutting the blood circulation
- Monitor the cattle hoof carefully; if there’s swelling above the bandage
- For injuries that need a continuous application of medication, you can line the foot by using a heavy plastic bag, latex rubber around the hoof
- To minimize the extending wear and water resistance, get a properly fitted boot
- Keep on changing the bandage after some time or as recommended by the vet
How To Choose The Right Bandage?
Pick the bandage material that:
- get the shape of the hoof and lower leg
- do not slip or loose from the foot
- stick well to the hoof leg or wall
- should be durable, water-resistant and sterile
A hoof injury is quite challenging to wrap. While the above tips can help, if the problem persists take your cattle to the vet immediately.