Local care of the hooves (Footbath application)

Foothbathes are one of the most efficient methods of control and prevention of foot lamenesses specially hoof infectious diseases in dairy herd facilities. In this article different types of foothbathes, design and structure, solutions and renewal rates have been reviewed. Copper sulphate and formalin were the most frequently used solution and dimention of 81 cm of width, 3-3.7 m length and depth of 11 cm were introduced as standard dimentions. On the other hand due to environmental and human concerns these solution should be evacuated approperiatly. Also the most appropriate range of bath usage was between 1-4 times a day and 1-7 times a week and in each bath, between 100-300 cows can pass without significant reduction of chemical solution concentration. It should be noted that merely observing these instructions will not reduce digital diseases, and other health and disease control programs should be considered in the herd.