Use of Hip Clamps for Recumbent Cattle

Policy

NZVA believes that the use of hip clamps for the lifting and support of recumbent cattle is warranted only under certain clinical conditions and only with due consideration for the welfare of the animal involved.

Explanation

Hip clamps are most effective when they are used to help lift recumbent cows that are bright and alert and do not have underlying problems such as fractures or a dislocated hip. They are generally useful when a cow is weak and unable to rise (due to milk fever, calving paralysis or having been cast, for example) but, once given appropriate treatment, is likely to support her weight when raised.  Cows that have been down for long periods of time are unlikely to be helped by hip clamps as muscle damage prevents them from taking their weight.  In some circumstances such as fractured legs or dislocated hips, the use of hip clamps is contraindicated, therefore every effort should be made to arrive at a correct diagnosis before hip clamps are used.

Where hip clamps are used for the lifting of recumbent cattle, it is possible that severe distress, injury and bruising may occur if adequate precautions are not taken.

Guidelines

1. When considering the use of hip clamps, a clinical examination should be carried out to eliminate the presence of conditions such as hip dislocation and fractures in which their use would be contra-indicated.
2. If hip clamps are to be used for lifting recumbent cattle, they should be put on over light padding and made tight to avoid slipping or extra bruising. The hip clamps themselves should also be padded using plastic, rubber or foam tubing.
3. The rear of the animal should be lifted to a point where the hind feet are just touching the ground so that weight bearing can take place.
4. If, after taking the weight of the rear of the animal on the hip clamps, the cow can not be persuaded to take weight on the fore legs, the use of hip clamps should be discontinued.
5. If the cow is not fully weight bearing after 5 minutes, the hip clamps should be removed.
6. Hip clamps should not be left on any longer than 10 minutes and should be loosened and then removed as soon as the cow is bearing weight.
7. Repeated use is only acceptable if bruising and distress are minimal, some indication of progress is evident and the diagnosis of the cow’s clinical condition continues to warrant such use.  External skin bruising is not necessarily an indicator of the degree of underlying muscle damage.

Note

1. For further information refer to the AWAC Code of Recommendations and Minimum Standards for the Welfare of Dairy Cattle, to be superceded by the NAWAC Animal Welfare (Dairy Cattle) Code of Welfare in late 2007.
2. Flotation tanks and air mattresses have been used successfully in support of recumbent cattle without causing pressure damage.

Policy Files: 

5a - Hip Clamps - 23May07.pdf