To Wrap or Not to Wrap?

Discoveries Around Wrapping Cow Hooves – A Decision Worth Unwrapping! 

Good day!

One topic that sparks lively discussions among farmers, veterinarians, and hoof trimmers is the practice of cow hoof wrapping. As a hoof trimmer, I’m cautious about using wraps, and will only use them for treating an infectious hoof problem and if I know the wrap will be removed on time. Occasionally, for serious cases like ulcers, I use a wrap if it will help with applying a product or to stop bleeding.

What are the Benefits and Drawbacks of Cow Hoof Wrapping?

Before we jump into the pros and cons, it’s essential to understand what the practice of hoof wrapping involves. 

Hoof wrapping, in general, is not to be compared to applying a bandage or cast on a human. We all have seen them: the person who had surgery on, for example, their arm, and the doctor applied a large bandaid to keep the wound from infecting or further hurt. This, and many more examples, are applied in a sterile environment. Another example is a child asking for a bandage when there is hardly a trace of blood visible. The parent applies the bandage, and all the pain seems to be forgotten. These two examples most definitely are not the case on the hoof of a cow.

Why Wrap a Cow’s Hoof?

When we wrap a cow’s hoof, it’s like using a tool to help apply medicine for treating a hoof disease. The wrap is there to make sure the medicine stays on longer and works well. But it’s not a permanent thing – it’s like a band-aid with a job. We must take it off at the right time to avoid any issues. This way, we can help the medicine do its job, but removal is to avoid causing any harm to the cow’s hoof.

How to Wrap a Cow’s Hoof

The first step is to trim and care for the hoof and make the proper diagnosis. Our hoof disease chart (with pictures) will assist you with this diagnosis. Let me give you an example: Cow #25 is lame, and you put her in the chute. You lift the foot and see a large wart (Digital Dermatitis). At this point, you trim the foot first and remove all loose horn in the heel area. Then, with a paper towel or hand towel, you clean the wart and brush the Hoof-fit Gel over the affected area and in the interdigital space.

I always use a Kleenex or facial pad to put over the DD lesion, which will wick moisture away and provide a cushion. After that, I apply the wrap, which you can see in this short video:

The Drawbacks of Cow Hoof Wrapping

Like any farming practice, hoof wrapping has its challenges, but that does not make wrapping an all-in or all-out decision. Let me try to share a few that come to mind:

1. Improper Application Risk: Wraps that are too tight can lead to circulation issues and hurt the hoof more than it does good. Too loose, on the other hand, will cause the wrap to fall off before it has done its purpose.
2. Moisture Trapping: Wraps may trap moisture and close the wound off from oxygen. However, a wound needs to have fresh air to heal. But what I have often seen is that the wrapped hoof goes through a foot bath. Needless to say, this is not the most optimum scenario. 
3. Removal and Monitoring: This can be time-consuming for farmers, like maintaining a weed-free garden, but checking the progress of wound healing and the success of the treatment is a gold mine.
4. Losing Wraps: If a wrap comes off, it might end up in the manure or in the pit. Most wraps are not biodegradable and can get cluttered if you depend on wraps to fall off. The Intra Eco Tape is biodegradable, but I still recommend removing the wrap to ensure the healing progress of the wound. 
5. Unattended Wraps: It often happens on dry cows and young stock. These animals are often in the ‘out-of-sight-out-of-mind’ pen, and the wraps are simply forgotten. Wraps do potentially cut into the foot, and I have seen partial amputations. The key to wrapping is that a plan is in place to remove the wrap; otherwise, don’t wrap.

Is Wrapping Still Advised?

So, to wrap or not to wrap? The decision depends on a few factors, including the cows’ needs, the environment where she is in, and the farmer’s ability to apply and maintain wraps.

As we weigh the benefits against its challenges, I will choose to wrap a foot. Increased contact time turns into better results. Additionally, the recheck session gives a good feeling to monitor the progress of wound healing. In an interview with four fellow trimmers, you can read more about the topic of wrapping a cow’s foot. 

Please feel free to share your thoughts with me! What’s your experience with cow hoof wrapping? Do you have any tips or concerns? Just reply to this email with your feedback and opinions. 

Bye from Alberta,

Koos