Solar ulcers and their prevention

摘要

In the second of two articles, vet Nial O'Boyle looks at reducing the effects of solar ulcers. Born in Northern Ireland, Nial recently began work in Michigan on a 3,200 head dairy unit having previously worked in the UK at the Nantwich Veterinary Group. Cows spend a large amount of time standing and walking on concrete. As discussed in the previous article, the properties of concrete can act as a catalyst for lesions such as solar ulcers. How can these be minimised? In Sweden, the majority of cows are still milked in tie-stalls. Modernised versions have rubber mats with rubber slats at the back, and it has been found that this has reduced the lameness problem considerably. As they now make the transition from tie stalls to cubicles, the Swedes have brought this knowledge with them. Feed stalls are put in above the alley floor, the cows stand on rubber whilst they eat, and as in the tie-stall system, they muck onto a slatjed area, thus keeping the alley clean (see above right).