What Is Foundering in Cattle?

Founder, a disease which affects the hooves of farm animals, results in severe damage to and discomfort in animals who come down with it. This condition, while well known by those who own and raise horses, is actually quite common in cattle as well. According to Lea White Farms, the damage and discomfort to the affected animal, regardless of whether it is bovine or equine, is often devastating.

  1. Cause

    • According to Oklahoma State University, founder frequently follows a change in the animal's diet. Specifically, animals that have their feed changed from one containing large amounts of roughage to one that consists of high amounts of grain often end up foundering as a result of this dietary alteration.

    Symptoms

    • The primary symptoms of cattle founder are joint stiffness and tenderness of the animal's hoof. Further, the hooves that are affected will feel warm to the touch. If the animal is noticed to be lying down frequently, and a dietary change has recently occurred, an examination to rule out founder should be conducted.

    Treatment

    • It is crucial to commence treatment for founder as soon as the condition is diagnosed. One such treatment is to provide the animal with a rectal laxative with warm water injections to attempt to remove some of high amounts of grain the animal may still have in its gastrointestinal tract.

    Grass Founder

    • One common type of founder is referred to as grass founder. This is brought about because of high-protein/low-fiber amounts that are contained in the grasses some cattle are fed on. When the cattle graze, sometimes they can experience a shock to their rumen system (bovine digestive system). Grass founder can result.