Effect of therapeutic hoof trimming on haematological parameters in dairy cows with sole lesions

Abstract

A study was conducted among 18 lame cows from a herd of 114 cows in early lactation. Whole blood was collected from the lame cows on the first day of treatment and 20 days after therapeutic hoof trimming for analysis of haematological parameters. The number of red blood cells, haemoglobin concentration, platelet and volume of packed red cells increased(p> 0.05) on post trimming evaluation. The number of neutrophils and the percentage of neutrophils decreased with a concurrent increase in lymphocytes and monocytes which was not significant (p>0.05) in lame cows post trimming. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio decreased in the affected animals in the post trimming period. Therapeutic hoof trimming and treatment improved the healing of painful sole lesions and reduction in pain sensitivity was also observed in all the affected animals.

Keywords

• haematological parameters
• hoof trimming
• dairy cattle