Course launched to tackle lameness in dairy cows
© Tim Scrivener The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has launched a course designed to help vets and farmers better tackle lameness in dairy cows.
Led by Nick Bell, a lecturer in veterinary livestock extension at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), the one-day course – organised by the British Veterinary Association (BVA) – centres on five key skills:
- Improving lameness diagnosis
- Identify correct and harmful trimming methods
- Improving cure rates
- Understanding the most effective lesion control strategies
- Motivating farmer clients
Delegates will begin the day with a discussion on trimming methods and the different types of foot lesion, before a practical demonstration of and practice with hoof knives, foot-trimmers and electrical equipment.
See also: How to correctly diagnose and treat the main causes of sheep lameness
It concludes with a review of approaches to herd-level diagnosis and treatment plans, and a look at strategies to motivate farmers on the importance of herd foot health.
John Blackwell, cattle vet and senior vice-president of the BVA, hopes the course will go somewhere towards tackling this “complex and costly” problem.
“As a cattle vet, lameness is a problem I encounter on farms all too often and every vet working with production animals needs to be armed with the skills and knowledge to tackle this problem – and this course, led by expert Dr Bell, is an excellent opportunity to hone those techniques,” says Mr Blackwell.
The course is scheduled to take place on 6 September at Colliton Barton Training Centre in Honiton, Devon.
It costs £280 for BVA members and £420 for non-members. For more information, the BVA’s website.