Efficacy of low level Gallium-Arsenide laser therapy in conjunction with therapeutic hoof trimming for the treatment of sole ulcer in dairy cattle

The study was conducted in postpartum lactating dairy cows to evaluate the healing of sole ulcers using Gallium-Arsenide (Ga-As) laser therapy in combination with therapeutic hoof trimming. Thirty-five clinically lame cattle were examined, of which seven animals presented with sole ulcers confined to a single hind limb claw were selected for the study. Therapeutic hoof trimming was performed under standing sedation, followed by application of wooden hoof blocks and bandaging with 10 per cent zinc oxide ointment. Low level laser therapy (650 nm, 4 Jcm²) was applied once daily for three consecutive days. Marked improvements were observed in wound healing, granulation tissue quality, pain sensitivity and locomotion. In conclusion, Ga-As laser therapy in combination with therapeutic hoof trimming significantly enhanced sole ulcer healing, reduced pain and restored normal locomotion in dairy cattle.