LIVESTOCK
From page 38
sore leg will rest the leg with the tip of the foot on the ground when standing . With severe lameness it will hold the affected leg off the ground completely . Lameness in the feet might be more obvious when the animal is walking or trotting on a hard surface rather than on soft ground . The lameness may be more evident when the animal sets off after it ' s been standing or lying for a while , and it might improve a little as the animal moves . Some types of joint problems such as arthritis can be like this . The lame animal may spend more time lying down ; it may be reluctant to move about . It often takes an expert to identify the site of the problem in cases of mild lameness and lameness affecting more than one leg . If an animal is very lame , it will be in a lot of discomfort and it will probably be in pain . It will be reluctant to move and to eat , it will be miserable and it will lose weight . If you can ' t deal with it effectively yourself , you must call a vet . In sheep a common cause of lameness in summer is a tick lodged between the animal ' s toes . Good livestock management is based on closely observing your animals and the environment in which they live , in order to prevent injury or disease or to spot it as soon as it occurs . There are recommendations to maintain healthy hooves and legs amongst all of your animals : ❑ All walking surfaces should be kept clean and provide a comfortable walking surface . ❑ Foot baths should be properly maintained and a good hoof care programme followed . ❑ Early detection and treatment of lameness is crucial . ❑ Lameness prevalence should continuously be monitored and management changed when needed . ❑ Proper hoof trimming
routines should be applied , depending on the breed of animal . ❑ Records should be kept so that results can be measured . Lameness can be a costly disease both in money and in animal welfare . The monetary costs of the disease consist of loss of milk or meat yield , treatment costs , decrease in reproductive efficiency , and premature culling . If you are riding the animal or using it in some form of traction the productivity will be affected .
40 www . sasmallholder . co . za