Sole ulcers are one of the most painful and welfare-significant forms of lameness in dairy cattle, with prevention through hoof health management the priority.
Sole ulcers cause intense and debilitating pain. The corium lesion, once ulcerated through the sole, exposes sensitive tissue that experiences pressure with every step. Affected cows show obvious lameness with reluctance to bear weight on the affected limb, reduced time at the feed fence, and decreased milk production reflecting the welfare impact. Untreated sole ulcers become infected, causing spreading disease and potentially requiring surgical treatment or amputation. The connection between sole ulcer development and the transition period — when metabolic disease, fat pad atrophy, and SARA create simultaneous vulnerability — means addressing transition cow nutrition directly reduces sole ulcer incidence. Regular professional hoof trimming with NSAID treatment of identified lesions is the welfare standard.