cut hoof

[mrssmitho]

Howdy!
We have a 5 month old Jersey/Holstein calf that came home 2 weeks ago with a cut on a back hoof.
We watched it for a few days and then one day it started bleeding. I went and spoke to a local "cow" guy I know and he said to spray it with the purple and cover it so it can breath. I decided that neosporin would be better to put down in there and put gauze and vet wrap on it. I changed it 48 hrs later upon his recomdation...it smelled REALLY BAD!!
I tried to get him to let me soak it in Epsom salt and more neosporin and wrapped it. That was yesterday morning and I plan on doing it again this morning.
* Should I hose it out to really "power" the dirt, etc. out?
It does NOT look infected... * but is there a difference in how an infected hoof would look??
* Am I doing all I should?
* Should we give him a dose of penicilian to help boost recovery?
* I was advised not to, but he travels with the rest of the cows on the property, should I keep him more isolated, not walking around so much?
The cut is on the back of one part of the hoof, right where it bends to walk, he limps a bit, but most of the limp is I have the vet wrap all the way around the hoof. * Should I let it breath completely without vet wrap for a day?
The half of the hoof with the cut is slightly swollen, not bad though...am I making a bigger deal than necessary?? hehe

Thank you in advance for any advise/comments!!

 

[jhm47]

If the hoof smells bad and is even slightly swollen, it is an infection. I would definitely isolate him, and keep him in a place that is totally dry so the hoof doesn't get into any mud or feces. Spray it out and get it as clean as possible. Then, when it's fairly dry, spray it with the purple or blu kote, and leave it open. I would give him LA 200, or another antibiotic that your vet might recommend. There are many on the market that will work well, but LA 200 lasts several days, is fairly inexpensive, and can be bought in most any farm supply store.

An infection in a foot is very serious, and can easily kill an animal. You are right to be concerned. Good luck!

 

[mully]

I do not think you are making a big deal with hoof rot as it is contagious to your other animals. Using a soak of copper sulfate and open the "crack" to let in the solution helps. Do not use ointments with petroleum as these keep the beneficial oxygen out. The following meds are used to treat foot rot.

1) LA 200

2) Bio-Mycin 200

3) Procaine penicillin G

4) Tylan 200

5) Sustain III (sustained release Sulfamethazine) boluses are over the counter pharmaceuticals that have proven effective as a treatment of foot rot.

Stay on top of this as it can spread into the fetlock and become a real problem to get rid of Use a med right away as salves and soaks are slow to work. A hoof boot can be very effective.

Good Luck

 

[mrssmitho]

THANK YOU!! The bit on the patronium base makes since...

Should I "isolate" him, if for nothing else but to keep him from roaming the hills on the property?

Should I use the hose to clean out all the neosporin?

It looked better this morning. He does not let me soak it for very long so That probably isn't helping much anyway.

Thank you again...and I LOVE your verse under your post!!

 

[mully]

You can use a scrub brush (stiff) and some Dawn dish soap to clean out the area.... it is important to keep it clean so the bacteria do not have time to multiply. Look on the web for farrier supplies and you might find some good tips there. I always try to prevent hoof rot as it is hard to deal with and I hate the smell. Yes isolate him and keep him from walking around too much for a few days ...check your other animals every day for hoof rot.