When you own a dairy herd, maintaining its hoof health is a constant challenge. However, we have some great news for you: there are ways to control and contain the impact of lameness. To begin with, you have a variety of great products at your disposal to tackle this challenge. Then there is the professional ABC chart of dairy hoof diseases, which three hoof care professionals have put together.

Let’s start with one very important thing you need to always keep in mind: Not all lame cows need the same therapeutic approach! That’s right. Sometimes just a simple hoof knife does the trick!

If you want guaranteed success in your battle with lameness, it’s important to know the differences between hoof problems. We can split them into two main categories:

• Infectious hoof diseases.
• Non-infectious hoof diseases.

Obviously, hoof problems can be classified as being ‘mild’ or ‘severe’.

The ABC chart of dairy hoof diseases

To raise awareness and highlight the importance of hoof management, Karl Burgi, Dr. Nigel Cook and Dr. Dörte Döpfer have compiled an identification chart of the different hoof diseases. This trio of hoof experts have given us the ABC chart of dairy hoof diseases.

Hoof Disease Reference Chart

What’s unique about the ABC chart?

• All hoof problems are coded with a letter and their official name.
• A color picture illustrates each hoof problem, complete with different severity levels for each of them.

Download and print a copy of the ABC chart of dairy hoof diseases. And here’s a great tip: pin it beside your hoof trimming chute. It’s an excellent reference tool for your employees and a great starting point for discussions with your trimmer!

Finally, what can you do with the chart?

• Diagnose a hoof problem and treat it accordingly.
• Have a copy beside your trimming chute for quick reference.
• Use it as a communication tool for all team members.

In conclusion, we give you our verdict: highly recommended!