Limping Heifer

[Kristin Perkins]

I have a shorthorn heifer 11 months old.  She has been limping for about 4-5 weeks now.  The vet has looked at her and saw nothing wrong, had her hoofs done nothing noticeable there either. she is not showing any signs of swelling just limps when walks, she has been turned out at night to get exercise.  We show at the state fair this week. What can I do to help her not limp? 

 

[LLBUX]

Chiropractor?

Short term fixes like Banamine would probably be against show regulations.

 

[lightnin4]

+1 on the chiropractor

Also, are you sure its in the foot?  Could she be limping from shoulder, hock, knee injury?

 

[cowman 52]

Not real sure you are gonna find anything just looking.  Find a vet that knows horses and get him to use the pressure calipers on the hoof.  I'm thinking you may have a coffin bone broke, bruised or possibly an abcess,  any of which will not be visible.  If hooves trimmed lately maybe a stone bruise,  maybe trimmer got the hoof too hot,  maybe a case of founder?  You have a lot of possibilities and it's gonna take some digging to find the problem.