Prevalence and interrelationships of hoof lesions and lameness in Swedish dairy cows

The prevalence of hoof lesions and lameness in 4899 heifers and cows was determined at claw trimming one time in a cross-sectional study on 101 Swedish dairy farms, 1996-1998. The percentage of affected animals was 41% for heel-horn erosion, 30% for sole haemorrhages, 27% for erosive dermatitis, 21% for abnormal claw shape, 14% for white-line haemorrhages, 8.8% for white-line fissures, 8.6% for sole ulcers, 3.3% for double soles, 2.3% for verrucose dermatitis, and 1.8% for interdigital hyperplasia (IH). Seventy-two percent of all animals had at least one hoof lesion. The prevalence of lameness was 5.1%; most hoof lesions did not cause lameness. Differences between herds were substantial; the herd-specific, animal-level prevalence of lesions ranged from 25 to 98% and of lameness from 0 to 33%. Sole haemorrhages were found in all herds. The proportion of variance at the between-herd level was particularly high for heel-horn erosion (62%) and abnormal claw shape (54%). Strong correlations between lesions were found within hooves (and animals), e.g. for heel-horn erosion and dermatitis (Spearman's rank correlation, r(s)=0.36 and 0.37, respectively) and for sole and white-line haemorrhages (r(s)=0.25 and 0.28). Most hoof lesions affected hind and front hooves bilaterally, whereas the correlation between hind and front hooves generally was lower. Herds that ranked high for prevalence of sole ulcer also ranked high for sole haemorrhages and for abnormal claw shape and herds that ranked high for dermatitis also ranked high for heel-horn erosion, verrucose dermatitis and IH. Abnormal claw shape was strongly associated with sole ulcer (r(s)=0.41 at cow level)-suggesting the importance of maintaining a correct claw shape for the prevention of hoof-horn lesions.     

Effects of a rubber-slatted flooring system on cleanliness and foot health in tied dairy cows

Effects on animal cleanliness and foot health of a new rubber-slat system for tied dairy cows, with the ability to drain faeces and urine, were studied in a 2-year controlled quasi-randomised trial in a Swedish university herd. Swedish Red and White cows were kept tied in 42 traditional long-stalls with rubber mats. In total, 82 cows were observed. In 21 stalls, the rearmost 0.74m of the solid stall floor was replaced with nine rubber-coated 53mm wide slats, divided by 29mm slots. The cleanliness was assessed subjectively weekly (year 1) or bi-weekly (year 2) by observations of the hind part of the body. Claw measurements and foot health in hind feet were assessed in connection with hoof trimmings at the beginning, middle and end of the housing period. The foot-health recordings were blinded to flooring. For the analysis of both cleanliness (1781 records, 73 cows) and foot health (240 records, 79 cows), logistic regression was applied, using marginal models and cow observations as repeated measures within each year. The risk of getting dirty on the rubber-slatted floor was significantly lower (odds ratio 0.12 for hind feet when short stall dividers were used, 0.39 for hind legs and 0.38 for thighs and udder), comparing with the solid stall floor. The prevalence of foot diseases in hind feet at trimming was significantly lower on the rubber slats (odds ratio 0.23 for dermatitis, 0.09 for heel horn erosion, and 0.34 for sole ulcer or sole or white line haemorrhage).     

Claw trimming routines in relation to claw lesions, claw shape and lameness in Norwegian dairy herds housed in tie stalls and free stalls

We assessed the prevalence of claw lesions, abnormal claw shapes and lameness in relation to most-recent claw-trimming routines in Norwegian dairy herds housed in tie stalls and free stalls. Equal-sized groups were randomly sampled from both tie and free stalls in each of the three most animal-dense regions in Norway. The study population consisted of 2551 cows of the Norwegian Red breed housed in 54 tie stalls and 52 free stalls. Fourteen educated claw trimmers performed claw trimming and recording of claw lesions once during the spring of 2002. A multivariable model including cluster effects and individual-cow factors was fit for each claw lesion and abnormal claw shape.

In tie-stall herds with routine trimming 39.9% of the cows had one or more lesions or abnormal shapes in front or hind claws versus 52.8% in herds with no routine trimming. Hind-claw results in tie stalls with concrete stall base: herds trimmed occasionally had more haemorrhages of the white line (OR = 2.8) and corkscrewed hind claws (OR = 3.6) versus herds trimmed routinely; herds never trimmed had more heel-horn erosions (OR = 2.6) versus herds trimmed routinely and less haemorrhages of the white line (OR = 0.3) and the sole (OR = 0.2) versus herds trimmed occasionally.

In free-stall herds with routine trimming 76.8% of the cows had one or more lesions or abnormal shapes in front or hind claws versus 68.9% in herds with no routine trimming. Hind-claw results in free stalls with concrete stall base: herds never trimmed had less haemorrhages of the white line (OR = 0.3) and the sole (OR = 0.3) versus herds trimmed routinely; and also less haemorrhages of the white line (OR = 0.3) and white-line fissures (OR = 0.3) versus herds trimmed occasionally. Hind-claw results in free stalls with rubber-mat stall base: herds trimmed occasionally had less heel-horn erosions (OR = 0.5) and more dermatitis (OR = 5.4) versus herds trimmed routinely.

The routine claw trimming performed in Norwegian free stalls has not had the desired effects on claw lesions and abnormal claw shapes. Routine trimming in tie stalls, however, seems to have prevented claw disorders.     

Risk factors for interdigital dermatitis and heel erosion in dairy cows kept in cubicle houses in The Netherlands

Risk factors concerning both the pasture and housing seasons for interdigital dermatitis and heel-horn erosion (IDHE) were studied in dairy cows in a cross-sectional study in The Netherlands. The study population included 2,326 cows (41 herds) and 2,751 cows (46 herds) for the pasture and housing seasons, respectively. Of these animals, 545 (23%) showed serious lesions of IDHE (stages 2 and 3) at the end of the pasture season and 1,269 (46%) during housing. Logistic regression of the pasture study indicated that increased parity, solid concrete floor, restricted grazing time, and herd trimming at long intervals were associated with an increased odds of IDHE, while dry cows and lactating cows within 30 days after calving as well as cows on a slatted floor with manure scraper, and grassland with mixed type of soil were associated with lower odds. In the housing study, odds of IDHE increased with parity, administering low- or medium-energy roughage, and introduction of dry cows into the lactating herd at >2 weeks before calving. The presence of long cubicles, knee-bumpers installed in cubicles as well as rearing calves and heifers within the dairy cows' accommodation decreased the odds of IDHE.     

Prevalence of foot lesions in Danish Holstein cows

In a cross-sectional study of 6240 Danish Holstein cows in 55 herds using loose-housing systems, sole haemorrhages and heel horn erosions occurred frequently in almost all the herds. Digital dermatitis occurred in 47 of the 55 herds (85 per cent). Spearman correlation coefficients revealed relationships between lameness and sole ulcer (0.36), between heel horn erosion and sole haemorrhage (0.39), between heel horn erosion and interdigital dermatitis (0.29) and between sole ulcer and double sole (0.26). The prevalence of heel horn erosion, sole haemorrhage, interdigital dermatitis and digital dermatitis appeared to be most affected by herd-level factors. The associations between individual foot trimmers and all the foot lesions were statistically significant. The risk of interdigital dermatitis increased with decreasing amounts of bedding. Cows housed throughout the year had a marginally higher risk of sole haemorrhage.     

Prevalence of claw lesions in Norwegian dairy cattle housed in tie stalls and free stalls

Approximately 88% of Norwegian dairy cattle are housed in tie stalls. Free-stall housing will be implemented for all cattle within 20 years. This means that most existing barns have to be rebuilt in the near future. We designed our study to estimate the prevalence of claw lesions in Norway and to reveal possible differences between tie stalls and free stalls. Fifty-five tie-stall herds and 57 free-stall herds were sampled by computerized systematic selection and 2665 cows were trimmed by 13 claw trimmers, during the late winter and spring of 2002. The claw trimmers had been taught diagnosing and recording of claw lesions. Environmental factors, management and feeding routines also were recorded. Forty-eight percent of cows housed in tie stalls had one or more claw lesions versus 71.8% in free stalls. Prevalences recorded in the hind claws were: 4.2% of the animals had dermatitis in tie stalls versus 5.7% in free stalls; 7.9% versus 38.0% had heel–horn erosions; 7.3% versus 13.6% had haemorrhages of the white line; 11.7% versus 20.4% had haemorrhages of the sole; 2.8% versus 3.2% had sole ulcers and 5.5% versus 9.7% had white-line fissures. Most lesions were mild. A model was designed to estimate cluster effects within herd and within claw trimmer. The cluster effect within herd was significant for all lesions. The cluster effect within claw trimmer was only significant for heel–horn erosions in front and hind claws and for white-line fissures in front claws. Agreements between some of the claw lesions were revealed. The study confirms that in Norwegian dairy cattle, most claw lesions are more prevalent in free stalls than in tie stalls.     

Effects of different intervention strategies on the incidence of papillomatous digital dermatitis in dairy cows

The effects of four different intervention strategies on the incidence of severe lesions of digital dermatitis in an experimental dairy herd were compared with the effects of a control strategy consisting of walking the cows twice through a footbath containing 4 per cent formaldehyde on one day a week for 24 weeks. The four alternative strategies were the same treatment every other week; standing for 30 minutes in a footbath containing a 2 per cent multicompound solution on days 0, 7, 28 and 90 after having had their hooves cleaned indirectly with a medium pressure spray of water; walking twice through the multicompound solution on one day a week for 24 weeks; and, walking twice through a footbath containing 3 per cent sodium carbonate on one day a week for 24 weeks. The cows' hooves were inspected every three weeks by one trained claw trimmer who graded the lesions of digital dermatitis. None of the alternative strategies significantly reduced either the number or severity of the lesions in comparison with the control strategy. In the groups treated by the third and fourth strategies there were outbreaks of digital dermatitis in which more than 30 per cent of the cows suffered the most severe type of lesion, and there was a continuously high rate of new infections in the group treated by the fourth strategy.     

Lameness and claw lesions of the Norwegian red dairy cattle housed in free stalls in relation to environment, parity and stage of lactation

Approximately 88% of Norwegian dairy cattle are housed in tie stalls. Free stall housing for all dairy cattle will be implemented within 20 years. This means that the majority of existing stalls will be rebuilt in the near future. Fifty-seven free stall herds of the Norwegian Red breed were randomly selected and 1547 cows and 403 heifers were trimmed by 13 claw trimmers during the late winter and spring of 2002. The claw trimmers had been taught diagnosing and recording of claw lesions. Environment, management- and feeding routines were also recorded. Fifty-three herds had concrete slatted alleys while 4 had solid concrete. Thirty-five herds had concrete as a stall base, while 17 had rubber mats, 2 had wood and 3 had deep litter straw beds. The prevalence of lameness was 1.6% in hind claws. Models for lameness and claw lesions were designed to estimate the influence of different risk factors and to account for the cluster effects within herd and claw trimmer. Detected risk factors for lameness were: parity three and above and narrow cubicles; for heel horn erosions: lactation stage around 5-7 months after calving and solid concrete alleys; for haemorrhages of the white line: lactation stage around 3-5 months after calving and solid concrete alleys; for haemorrhages of the sole: parity one, lactation stage around 5-7 months after calving and short cubicles, for white line fissures: slatted concrete alleys; for asymmetrical claws: parities two and above and for corkscrewed claws: solid concrete alleys. The prevalence of lameness in heifers was low, however 29% had one or more claw lesions. Heifers that were housed in pens or free stalls had more heel-horn erosions, haemorrhages of the sole and white-line fissures than heifers in tie stalls. As new free stalls are being built, it is important to optimise the conditions for claw health.     

Topical treatment of digital dermatitis associated with severe heel-horn erosion in a Swedish dairy herd

Two experiments were run in a commercial dairy herd to test the efficacy of topical treatments of digital dermatitis associated with severe heel-horn erosion. In Experiment I, topical treatments with solutions of either glutaraldehyde or oxytetracycline were compared with foot trimming and cleansing alone. After trimming of all feet, one front and one rear foot in each cow were treated with either glutaraldehyde or oxytetracycline (regardless of dermatitis status), while the other feet were used as controls and only trimmed. Two hundred foot records were obtained from 34 Swedish Red and White and 16 Swedish Holstein cows. The proportions (p) of feet cured from digital dermatitis were compared between each group of medically treated feet and the control feet, assuming the feet to be independent observations with respect to curing. Oxytetracycline was significantly more effective than hoof trimming alone (p=0.87 and 0.34, respectively; P<0.001) and than glutaraldehyde (p=0.41; P=0.004). Treatment with glutaraldehyde was no more effective than hoof trimming alone.In Experiment II, a specially designed footbath with two longitudinal compartments was used to study the effectiveness of a solution of acidic ionised copper in preventing or curing digital dermatitis. The footbath--using water in one compartment--was constructed to make within-cow comparisons of treatment efficacy possible. The hoof health of 44 dairy cows (also included in Experiment I) were studied when the animals first were turned out to pasture and at the end of the grazing season (approximately 6 months later). During the grazing season, the cows were walked through the footbath twice daily after milking for a total of 47 days, divided into five separate periods ranging in length from 3 to 16 days. As judged by a two-sample comparison of proportions, a higher proportion of the cows' hind feet that were affected by dermatitis were cured by the copper solution (20/24) than by water alone (12/23). The copper solution had no significant preventive effect on healthy feet.     

北京黑白花乳牛蹄底角质中25种元素含量的研究

本实验采用电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱仪,在1987年春、秋两季对北京某牛场的黑白花成年乳牛蹄底角质中25种元素(K、Na、S、Ca、P、Mg、Mn、Mo、Cu、Zn、Fe、I、Se、Co、Cd、Cr、Ni、B、Al、Si、Ti、Ba、Ph、As、Hg)进行了测定,并对春、秋季正形蹄与变形蹄、正形蹄与病变蹄,以及春秋正形蹄、变形蹄之间做了对比,还测定了饲料地的土壤、水和饲料中25种元素的含量,与国内外有关资料的结果进行了对比,初步探讨了某牛场成乳牛中正形蹄蹄底角质中25种元素的含量,指出春秋两季正形蹄蹄底角质中25种元素的含量是有差异的,春季正形蹄与变形蹄相比各元素差异均不显著;秋季变形蹄含Mg量显著高于正形蹄,含Ca、Al、Cd和Ti量显著低于正形蹄;春季病变蹄含K、Fe、Mn、Cu、Mg、Al、Ti、Se、I、Pb、Hg量显著高于正形蹄。本文首次提出北京黑白花乳牛正形蹄蹄底角质中Ca、P比值,春季是5.822/1,秋季是6.253/1。此牛场乳牛饮水中Hg含量过高是环境污染的结果。本文为今后进一步研究北京黑白花乳牛蹄角质与元素的关系提供了临床参考的依据。     

The effect of claw trimming on the hoof health of Swedish dairy cattle

A 2-year experiment on the effect of claw trimming on hoof health was performed in 77 Swedish dairy herds (3444 dairy cattle) selected on herd size, breed composition and membership in the official milk-recording scheme. In the autumn, cows within each herd were blocked according to breed, parity and stage of lactation and allocated to two treatments: autumn trimming (AT) or no autumn trimming (NAT). Outcome variables were claw measurements and prevalence of hoof lesions and lameness (measured at spring trimming) and the need for hoof treatments between scheduled trimmings. At spring trimming, NAT cows had longer and shallower claws than AT cows. The average net growth of the toe wall was greater for AT than for NAT cattle, with a marked variation between housing systems. Most hoof lesions present at AT had disappeared at the subsequent spring trimming. Controlled for clustering by herd-within-year and for the effects of individual-and herd-level covariates, AT cattle at spring trimmings had significantly lower odds of lameness (OR=0.66) and of haemorrhages of the sole or white-line (OR=0.86), sole ulcer (OR=0.59) and white-line fissure or double sole (OR=0.71)-but not of moderate-to-severe heel-horn erosion or dermatitis (OR=0.96). Acute hoof treatments between claw trimmings were more common in the NAT group (OR=2.02).     

Farm- and host-level risk factors for papillomatous digital dermatitis in Chilean dairy cattle.

A cross-sectional study was conducted in southern Chile between January and March, 1996, to identify risk factors for papillomatous digital dermatitis (PDD) in lactating dairy and dual-purpose cows. A total of 3,265 cows from 22 farms were examined in the milking parlor for PDD lesions. Additional information was collected from dairies' computerized records and by direct interview of managers. Data were analyzed using logistic and logistic-binomial regression (with dairy as a random-effect term). German Red-Pied (dual-purpose) cows were significantly (P < 0.05) less likely (odds ratio (OR) = 0.3) to have PDD lesions than German Black-Pied and Holstein crossbreds. First-parity cows had the highest odds of PDD, and odds diminished, in a dose-effect manner, as parity increased. Odds of PDD increased with increasing days in lactation. Cows that calved during winter were more likely to have PDD (OR = 1.4) than those calving at any other season. Cows on farms that bought heifers in the past 10 years had a 3-fold increase in the odds of PDD compared to those on farms that never bought heifers. Loose-housed cows had a higher risk of PDD (OR = 7), followed by cows in free stalls or in open corrals (OR = 2.8 and 1.3, respectively), compared to cows on pasture all year. Cows on dairies that used a footbath during 1996 were less likely (OR = 0.3) to have PDD than those in dairies not using one. Parlor type was associated with PDD, but this was likely an effect of parlor design on ease of inspection of cows' feet. A policy of trimming all cows' vs. only lame cows' feet and a policy about buying adult cows did not have significant effects on PDD risk.     

Papillomatous digital dermatitis and associated risk factors in US dairy herds

The objective of this study was to describe the incidence of papillomatous digital dermatitis in the US (including regional and herd size patterns) and to evaluate specific herd-level management factors associated with high incidence of digital dermatitis in US dairy herds. The study design was a population-based cross-sectional survey. US dairy operations with at least 30 cows in 20 states, representing 79% of US dairy cows, were sampled. On participant operations, a questionnaire was administered by veterinary medical officer or animal-health technicians on-farm to dairy managers. Papillomatous digital dermatitis was reported in milk cows in the previous 12 months from 43.5% of US dairy herds. Seventy-eight percent of affected herds reported that their first cases occurred in 1993 or later. Regions of the USA with the highest percent of herds affected included the Southwest, Northwest, and Northeast. Factors associated with high (> 5%) incidence of papillomatous digital dermatitis included region, herd size, type of land lactating cows accessed on a daily basis, flooring type where lactating cows walked, percent of cows born off the operation, use of a primary hoof trimmer who trimmed cows' hooves on other operations, and lack of washing of hoof-trimming equipment between cows. Papillomatous digital dermatitis has been recently reported from dairy herds across the US. This study suggests that a high percentage of herds with digital dermatitis could be prevented. Management strategies to potentially prevent or reduce incidence of digital dermatitis on dairy operations include those related to biosecurity and 'cow hoof' environmental conditions.     

Haemorrhages of the Sole Horn of Dairy Cows as a Retrospective Indicator of Laminitis: An Epidemiological Study

Eleven herds with clinical laminitis problems and 11 control herds were studied for 2 consecutive years. All the claws were trimmed and photographically recorded once each year, 2 to 6 months after the cows had calved. The haemorrhages of the sole horn were evaluated and scored for each digit, and data relevant to the factors associated with an increased risk of laminitis for each herd were collected and related to these scores for sole haemorrhages. It was found that the laminitic herds were more prone to the sole lesions than the control herds, the hind claws were more prone than the front claws, the pri-miparous cows were more prone than the multiparous cows and the Swedish Friesian cows were more prone than the Swedish Red and White cows. High scores were also correlated with hard floors (ie concrete) in the cow stalls, with fewer than 4 daily feedings of concentrates, with a short time allocated for the cows to eat concentrates, with feeding concentrates only at the first meal in the morning and in the afternoon and with the interaction between these last 2 variables.     

Prevalence of lameness and hoof lesions in all year-round grazing cattle in Brazil

Lameness is a growing concern to the dairy industry worldwide. However, little is known about lameness and its causes in grazing cattle, especially in tropical climates. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of hoof lesions and lameness in dairy herds of all year-round grazing cattle under tropical condition, and to identify the main lesions associated with lameness. We visited 48 farms located in the Minas Gerais state, Brazil, equally divided into four groups based on daily milk production. All lactating cows in the visited farms were locomotion scored, and a representative sample was randomly chosen for hoof inspection. Among the 2267 lactating cows evaluated, 16% were scored as lame and 7% as severely lame. Nearly all cows presented at least one type of hoof lesion, of which heel horn erosion (90%), white line fissure (50%), and digital dermatitis (33%) were the most prevalent. Heel horn erosion was present in all farms and digital dermatitis was present in 96% of the farms. Sole ulcer was observed in a single animal. Additionally, digital dermatitis and white line fissure were correlated to a 2.5 times increase in the odds of a poor mobility score. Collectively, our results demonstrate that digital dermatitis and white line fissure are the main concern and the biggest cause of lameness in grazing cattle under tropical conditions.     

A Photometric Method for Recording Hoof Diseases in Cattle,with Special Reference to Haemorrhages of the Sole

Bergsten, C: A photometric method for recording hoof diseases in cattle, with special reference to haemorrhages of the sole. Acta vet. scand. 1993,34,281-286.– After cleaning and trimming, the sole surface and interdigital space of the hooves of cows are photographed in a standardized way. The colour slides are projected on to a screen and the haemorrhages of the sole (reflecting Pododermatitis aseptica diffusa) and the lesions of Dermatitis interdigitalis and Erosio ungulae are scored according to their severity and extent by 2 people who do not know the identity of the cows. In a repeatability test the correlation coefficients between 2 assessments of the haemorrhages in the sole ranged between 0.78 and 0.88 for assessments of the front hooves, the hind hooves and all the hooves together.     

Genetic aspects of feet soundness in cattleAspects génétiques des maladies podales chez les bovinsGenetische aspekte der klauengesundheit beim rind

The incidence of foot disorders such as pododermatitis and dermatitis interdigitalis in the progeny of 10 AI sires was studied. Fifty heifers from each sire's progeny were inspected once between 60–100 days post partum. At that examination of the hooves, symptoms of pododermatitis (haemorrhages in the sole, and sole ulcers) and dermatitis interdigitalis (eczema of the interdigital skin, and bulbhorn erosion) were classified.The statistical analysis included sire, housing system, pododermatitis symptoms and dermatitis interdigitalis symptoms. It showed significant differences in the incidence and seriousness of pododermatitis between the progeny groups. These differences were partly influenced by the distribution of heifers over the housing systems and an interaction between housing system and sire. The incidence of dermatitis interdigitalis in the progeny groups was not influenced by the sire.     

日粮阴阳离子差对奶牛的影响及其在生产实践中的应用研究进展

阴阳离子差(DCAD)是指日粮中每千克或每百克干物质所含的主要阳离子（Na⁺、K⁺、Ca²⁺、Mg²⁺）毫摩尔数与主要阴离子（Cl^-、S^2-、PO^3-₄）毫摩尔数之差。DCAD直接影响奶牛血液的酸碱平衡及酶系统等的功能，可以改善奶牛的健康状况、提高奶牛生产性能。在此，作者综述了国内外关于调节日粮阴阳离子差对奶牛影响的研究结果及现状，探讨了DCAD在奶牛不同阶段生产实践中的应用。     

Skin Injuries on the Body and Thigh of Dairy Cows: Associations with Season,Claw Health,Disease Treatment,and other Cow Characteristics

An epidemiological study was conducted in 18 dairy herds with the objective to characterize those groups of cows where skin injuries to the body and thighs occurred most frequently. Data were analyzed with multivariable logistic regression. The epidemiologic patterns were different in first and later lactations. In first lactation some degree of injury occurred among 7.7% of 1793 cows. For most cows occurrence of sole ulcer was positively associated with injury while occurrence of heel horn erosion was negatively associated with injury. The association between injury and body weight differed depending on month of calving (significant interaction). Injuries occurred most frequently among high yielding cows. Severe reproductive, metabolic, and/or infectious diseases were associated with injuries. In later lactations some degree of injury occurred among 13.4% of 832 cows in lactations 2 to 9 where severity of injury increased with lactation number. Injuries occurred least frequently at examinations made in the January to March. They occurred most frequently among cows with sole ulcers. Calving in March through October was associated with injuries especially if the cows were treated for limb disorders. Most cases of injuries occurred early or late in lactation or among high or very low yielding cows in lactations 2 to 9.     

Intra-class correlation attributable to claw trimmers scoring common hind-claw disorders in Dutch dairy herds

Data of a cross-sectional study on prevalence of seven common bovine-claw disorders were used to calculate the intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) for claw trimmers. Fifteen professional claw trimmers were trained in diagnosing claw disorders uniformly. During regular trimming of all dairy cows in a herd, they recorded the presence (yes/no) of hind-claw disorders for digital dermatitis (DD), chronic laminitis (CL), sole ulcer (SU), white-line disease (WLD) and interdigital hyperplasia (HYP). For the claw disorders interdigital dermatitis/heel-horn erosion (IDHE) and sole haemorrhage (SH), claw trimmers also recorded (using graduated scores 1-3) the extent of the lesion. Complete information of 21,153 animals from 361 herds in The Netherlands was recorded between July 2002 and December 2003. To assure objective recording of claw disorders, ideally there would not be any correlation between observations. However, quantified ICCs from claw-trimmers observations ranged from 4.9% for DD to 38.0% for CL, while ICCs for herd ranged from 7.9% for SU to 26.7% for DD. Changes in the cut-off values for the diagnosis of IDHE and SH did not result in any relevant changes of the ICCs from claw-trimmers observations and these remained larger than the ICC explained by the herd. Based on these results, we conclude that for estimating measures of frequencies for different claw disorders, uniformity in recording certain diagnoses becomes an issue to consider when involving more than one observer.