Professional treatment of claws

Correct application of a claw bandage and adhesion of a relief aid

^{Status: September 2024}

Dr. Hans-Joachim Herrmann, Landesbetrieb Landwirtschaft Hessen
Antoine Janssen, specialised agronomist for hoof care
Hubert Reßler, Hochstädter Klauenpflege GmbH
Dr. Jörg Willig, Cattle Health Service, LUFA North-West

We would also like to thank Dr. Fanny Rachidi, Clinic for Clovenhoofed Animals, University of Leipzig, for her valuable support.

Caroline Leubner, Landesbetrieb Landwirtschaft Hessen

Prof Dr Johann Kofler, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Clinic for Ruminants

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The correct fit of claw bandages and relief aids is an important part of claw recovery. If necessary, they can be applied or taped by hoof trimmers themselves.

Both measures can lead to secondary problems if not carried out correctly, such as cutting into the bandage or ulcers under the relief aid. It is therefore important to ensure that they are applied correctly. It is also important that the animals are checked daily after the claw(s) have been treated. In the event of abnormalities, such as worsening lameness, causal measures must be reversed immediately.

In order to provide as detailed a guide as possible on how to apply a claw bandage and glue on a relief aid, four illustrated working instructions have been compiled for practical use by the Claw Health Working Group with the help of Prof. Dr. Johann Kofler. You can order free print versions from the office of the Animal Welfare Competence Centre for Cattle at [email protected].

to the picture guide claw bandage for the treatment of dermatitis digitalis (Mortellaro)

to the picture guide Correct application of a claw bandage next to a relief aid

to the picture guide Adhesive relief aid with mixed two-component adhesive (methyl methacrylate)

to the picture guide Gluing a relief aid with a mixing tip (polyurethane adhesive)