USE OF HOCK BANDAGES FOR PREVENTION OF TARSAL CELLULITIS (TARSAL BURSITIS) IN DAIRY-CATTLE HOUSED IN A TIE-STALL BARN

A total of 25 Holstein cows, 2 to 5 years old, were used in a study de signed to determine whether a soft, pliable covering placed over the h ock during the accommodation period, when cows are first placed into t he tie-stall barn, would prevent initial hock injury, and therefore pr event the development of tarsal cellulitis. It was found that they eff ectively decreased the incidence of tarsal cellulitis during this 12-w eek study. Tarsal cellulitis was observed in 30% of control cows (band age treated cows, 8%). Although statistical difference was not observe d for cows in each group, significantly fewer hocks were affected in t he bandage treated group.