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.     

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.     

Monensin might protect Ontario, Canada dairy cows from paratuberculosis milk-ELISA positivity

Our objective was to define the role of monensin sodium in protecting cows from being milk-ELISA positive for paratuberculosis in Ontario, Canada dairy herds. In total, 4933 dairy cows from 94 herds were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Forty-four of the enrolled herds were selected purposively by their herd veterinarian and another 50 herds were randomly selected from a local milk production-recording agency. A herd-management survey was completed on each farm during the months of May through August 2003. During this same time-period, composite milk samples were collected from all lactating cows and tested with a milk-ELISA for antibodies to Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis. Analyses were stratified according to the paratuberculosis history of the herds. In the 48 herds in which paratuberculosis had not been diagnosed before, the use of calf hutches and monensin in milking cows were both associated with reduced odds of a cow testing positive (OR = 0.19 and 0.21, respectively). In the 46 herds with a prior history of paratuberculosis, feeding monensin to the breeding-age heifers was associated with decreased odds of a cow testing positive (OR = 0.54). Monensin use might be associated with milk-ELISA positivity, but its impact on the transmission of paratuberculosis remains unknown.     

Genetic background of claw disorders in the course of lactation and their relationships with type traits

Random regression threshold animal models were applied to binary longitudinal claw disorder data for studying genetic parameters of all claw disorders (ACD), as well as to claw disorders divided into different categories: non‐purulent claw disorders (NPCD), purulent claw disorders (PCD), dermatitis digitalis (DD), sole ulcer (SU), phlegmona (PH), laminitis (LAM) and interdigital hyperplasia (IH) in the course of lactation. Claw disorder data were obtained from 26 651 Holstein cows kept in 15 large‐scale contract herds in the region of Thuringia over a period of 5 years from 2007 to 2012. If a cow had one or more entries of the same disorder, for example, sole ulcer, within an interval of 30 days, she was scored with a ‘1’, and otherwise, she received a score of ‘0’ for healthy. Heritabilities for the same disorder were relatively stable between DIM 50 and DIM 300, but they tended to increase in early and late lactation. Highest heritabilities in the range from 0.20 to 0.34 were estimated for IH, and lowest heritabilities were realized for LAM (~ 0.05). Genetic correlations for same traits between different DIMs were high for adjacent test days, but close to zero for distant test days. The relationship between the sire EBVs for claw disorders and official sire EBVs for the type traits ‘foot angle’ was slightly antagonistic with correlation coefficients in the range from 0.05 (DD) to 0.33 (PH). Correlations between lactation EBVs for hock quality, rear leg rear view and the feet and leg index with EBVs for claw disorders were slightly favourable and ranged between ?0.01 (rear leg rear view correlated with SU) and ?0.43 (hock quality correlated with PH). Regarding daily EBVs for claw disorders, the strongest correlation coefficient was of value ?0.46 (LAM early in lactation correlated with the feet and leg index). Genetic parameters from the random regression model were verified by applying a single‐trait repeatability model. Correlation coefficients between lactation EBVs from the random regression model and lactation EBVs from the repeatability model for the same claw disorder were close to 1. Correlations were lower between EBVs from single test days and lactation EBVs from the repeatability models, with a minimal value of 0.58 for PCD measured at day 20.     

Evaluation of claw health in heifers in seven dairy farms using a digital claw trimming protocol and claw data analysis system

The claw health of 139 heifers with a mean age of 22.1 months (SD: 2.6) in seven free stall dairy farms in Lower Austria was evaluated. Claw lesions were assessed during functional claw trimming and documented and analysed using the digital program Claw Manager. For documentation of lesions, each claw was divided into ten zones. The prevalence of lameness, claw lesions and their severity were determined, furthermore the Cow-Claw-Scores (CCS), Farm-Claw-Scores (FCS) and Farm-Zone-Scores (FZS) were calculated.The FCS between farms was tested for significant differences. A lameness prevalence of 9.4% and an overall prevalence of claw lesions of 98.5% were recorded in these 139 heifers.The most commonly diagnosed disorders were white line lesions (WLL) with a prevalence of 87.1%, heel horn erosion (84.9%), double soles (DS; 47.5%), sole haemorrhages (SH; 33.1%) and a concave dorsal wall contour in 15.1% of the heifers. High correlation coefficients (r > or = 0.93) were found between SH and DS, WLL and DS. 86.5% of all diagnosed claw lesions were score 1 (mild), 11.1% score 2 (moderate) and 2.4% score 3 (severe) lesions. The CCS in all heifers ranged between 0 and 267, and the FCS in the seven herds was between eleven and 55. Claw zone 3 was affected most frequently and severely. Following the results of this study, systematic functional claw trimming and consequent documentation of detected claw lesions is highly recommended for heifers at the time of their first insemination to prevent claw disorders in lactating cows and to improve their well-being.     

Risk factors for herdsman-reported foot-and-mouth disease in the Adamawa Province of Cameroon

We analysed responses from 147 Fulani herdsmen to a questionnaire about cattle herd-level risk factors for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the previous year. The study used a cross-sectional design with a stratified, two-stage random sample of cattle herds in the Adamawa Province of Cameroon. The questionnaire was pre-tested at a local cattle market before a final version was translated into Foulfoulde (the local Fulani dialect). Variables were screened using a univariable analysis and logistic multiple-regression models were developed in a forward-selection process.

Fifty-eight percent (50–65; 90% CIs) of herdsmen reported FMD in their herd in the previous 12 months. Important risk factors for FMD in the previous 12 months included going on transhumance (OR = 2.6), buying cattle from markets (OR = 2.2), mixing of herds at watering points (OR = 2.4), feeding cotton-seed cake (OR = 3.3), buffalo near the herd (OR = 2.2) and administrative division. For the subset of herds that went on transhumance, coming in contact with an FMDV-diseased herd while on transhumance was the strongest factor (OR = 16).     

Herd-level risk factors for Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica in U.S. market pigs

Midwest U.S. herds (n = 63) were studied to identify risk factors for harboring Salmonella enterica among slaughter-weight pigs. Samples collected on farms (feces) and at slaughter (distal colonic content, cecal content and ileocolic lymph nodes) were cultured using conventional means. Approximately 15 pigs were studied per herd, for a total of 3754 samples. The proportion of pigs positive in one or more samples was calculated for each herd. Herd characteristics were described by a combination of interview and written survey. Logistic regression was used to detect relationships between the detection of Salmonella and potential herd-level risk factors. The mean individual pig prevalence was 5% for feces, 4% for distal colonic content, 15% for ileocolic lymph nodes, and 17% for cecal contents. One or more Salmonella isolates were detected in at least one sample type in every herd. The five most common serovars were S. Agona, S. Derby, S. Schwarzengrund, S. Typhimurium and S. Senftenberg, with 25 additional serovars detected. Salmonella prevalence estimates were positively correlated among all samples except distal colonic content and ileocolic lymph nodes. Pigs with culture positive fecal samples were at increased odds of being detected positive for each of the slaughter-collected samples examined, namely distal colonic content (OR = 30.5), ileocolic lymph nodes (OR = 12.9) and cecal content (OR = 23.2). Herds with positive fecal sample(s) had increased odds of having positive cecal content (OR > 1.5), distal colonic content (OR = 15.3) and ileocolic lymph nodes (OR = 12.7). Pigs from herds with at least some bowl drinkers had eight-fold higher odds of testing Salmonella positive than did pigs from herds with only nipple drinkers. Pigs from herds with only dry feeders had five-fold higher odds of testing Salmonella positive when compared with pigs from herds with combinations of wet/dry style feeders. Interventions at these two points should be considered when designing growing pig facilities to reduce Salmonella shedding.     

A case-control study of risk factors for brucellosis seropositivity in Portuguese small ruminants herds

A case–control study involving 255 small ruminants herds randomly selected was carried out in Portugal between January and December 2004, to identify risk factors associated with brucellosis seropositivity.

To achieve this objective, two groups of herds selected according their prevalence status were compared: “cases” (farms with seroprevalence higher than 5%, n = 123) and “controls” (farms seronegatives, n = 132). A carefully structured questionnaire was used to collect data from each herd. A statistical analysis to compare “case” versus “control” herds was performed with the variables obtained from the questionnaire and the seroprevalence results. The effects on seroprevalence of several variables such as: individual characteristics; farm management practices; farm characteristics; animal health; knowledge and characteristics of farmers were evaluated. Data were analysed using logistic regression. Univariable analysis was used to screen the variables used in the logistic regression model. Nine variables were associated with brucellosis seropositivity in univariable analysis p < 0.10. These variables were retained for multivariable logistic regression model. Regression model identified five variables as risk factors for seropositivity. The odds of brucellosis were increased: herds with more than 116 animals (OR = 2.99); in herds with no cleaned-watering places (OR = 3.05); in herds with insufficient manure removal and insufficient cleaning of premises (OR = 2.87); in introduction of animals from non-free brucellosis herds or from herds of unknown status (OR = 12.11). In the other hand, farmers’ age (the eldest) was related to decreased odds (OR = 0.4).

Potential risk factors identified in this study were consistent factors associated with brucellosis seropositivity and support current recommendations for the control of brucellosis. Considering the paucity of epidemiological reports on brucellosis in the Northeast of Portugal and the absence of any data concerning factors related to either the prevention or the spread of the disease, our results could make a useful contribution towards the prevention of small ruminants brucellosis in the area.     

Bovine viral diarrhoea virus in beef cattle herds of Yucatan, Mexico: seroprevalence and risk factors

A survey of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) infection was carried out from June 2001 to July 2002 in a non-vaccinated beef cattle population from the livestock region of Yucatan, Mexico, to assess seroprevalence and identify risk factors related to seroprevalence. The aim was also to estimate the intra-herd correlation (r_e) and design effect (D) of BVDV seropositivity. Cattle were selected by a two-stage cluster sampling. Blood samples were collected from 560 animals originating from 40 herds. Sera were tested for antibodies against BVDV using an indirect ELISA test. The sensitivity and specificity of the test was 97.9 and 99.7%, respectively. Risk factors regarding the herd and each animal sampled were recorded through a personal interview at the time of blood sampling. Twenty-four of the 40 herds had at least one seropositive animal. The animal true seroprevalence was estimated as 14%. The marginal logistic regression model used to describe the data found a significant (p < 0.05) association of herd size–cow-origin interaction. The interaction was due to a higher risk of seropositivity in the category of herds with ≤100 animals and purchased cows (OR = 1) as compared to herds with ≤100 animals and cows born in the farm (OR = 0.23). Seropositivity between cows purchased and cows born in the farm was similar for herd sizes of 101–196 and >196 animals. The r_e and D values were 0.17 ± 0.05 and 3.16 ± 0.57, respectively.     

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.     

Behaviour of cows in cubicles and its possible relationship with laminitis in replacement dairy heifers

The behaviour of cows in cubicles was studied in two dairy herds which were under the same ownership and had similar buildings and management systems. One of the herds had an annual problem of lameness due to laminitis leading to solar ulceration in the replacement first lactation heifers. There were considerable behavioural differences between the cows in the two herds. In the problem herd the heifers and cows stood for significantly longer, more heifers were seen not to use the cubicles, and there were more examples of aberrant behaviour than in the other herd. Less straw was used for cubicle bedding in the problem herd and when the amount used was increased to one bale per 10 cows per day no new cases of laminitis and solar ulceration occurred in the heifers.     

Health and welfare of dairy cows in different husbandry systems in Switzerland

Our objective was to compare health and welfare of dairy cows kept in three types of husbandry systems: (1) tie stalls with regular exercise in summer but minimal outdoor access during winter (the reference level for analyses); (2) tie stalls with regular exercise in an exercise yard or pasture throughout the year; (3) loose-housing with regular access to an outdoor exercise yard or pasture. A total of 134 farms were visited (two to) three times in two years. Cows were examined for lameness, skin alterations at the hock joints, scars or injuries at the teats, and skin injuries at other locations. Lying and standing-up behavior were also evaluated. Farmers were requested to record the incidence of medical treatments for the whole observation period. A multivariable logistic-regression analysis was performed for each indicator of health and welfare with husbandry type, aspects of the housing system, farm characteristics, and management routines as the predictor variables. For welfare indicators recorded on individual animals, regression was performed correcting for clustering of observations within herds by Generalized Estimation Equation. Risk factors for the incidence of medical treatments were analyzed in a negative-binomial regression model.

The odds for lameness were reduced for tie stalls with regular exercise throughout the year (OR = 0.7). The prevalence of alterations at the hock joints was lower in loose-housing with regular outdoor exercise (OR = 0.4). Teat injuries were less frequent in loose-housing with regular outdoor exercise (OR = 0.1) and tie stalls with regular exercise (OR = 0.4). Farms with loose-housing and regular outdoor exercise had a lower incidence of medical treatments (IR = 0.6) than reference level farms.     

Relationship between herd-level incidence rate of energy-related postpartum diseases,general risk factors and claw lesions in individual dairy cows recorded at maintenance claw trimming

Background

Laminitis and energy-related postpartum diseases share several risk factors, indicating a common etiology. Thus, a herd’s incidence rate of energy-related postpartum diseases, such as displaced abomasum and clinical ketosis, might reflect the likelihood of cows to suffer from laminitis-related claw lesions. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between herd-level incidence rate of displaced abomasum and clinical ketosis, general risk factors, and claw lesions in individual cows recorded at maintenance claw trimming.

Methods

The dataset consisted of 6773 trimmings, performed between 2004 and 2006 by professional trimmers, from 3607 Swedish Red and Swedish Holstein cows in 26 herds. The herds were classified as having a high, inconsistent-high or low incidence rate of energy-related postpartum diseases, based on the number of recorded cases of veterinary-diagnosed displaced abomasum and clinical ketosis in the Swedish national animal disease recording system during 2002 to 2006, and observations and interviews in connections with herd visits. Generalized linear mixed models were used to investigate the association between herd-level incidence rate of energy-related postpartum diseases and laminitis-related lesions including sole ulcer and sole hemorrhage; and hygiene-related lesions including interdigital dermatitis, digital dermatitis, heel-horn erosion, verrucose dermatitis, and interdigital hyperplasia; and absence of any claw lesion. Systematic effects, including first-order interactions, with P < 0.05 were included in the models. Herd classification was forced into the models, and a random effect of herd was included.

Results

In comparison to herds with a high incidence rate of energy-related postpartum diseases, low-incidence herds showed a lower odds ratio (OR; 0.2) for laminitis-related lesions in cows trimmed during the summer months. Low-incidence herds also showed numerically lower OR estimates for laminitis-related lesions in all parity classes and a numerically lower OR for hygiene-related lesions. In addition, low-incidence herds showed tendencies towards a numerically higher OR for absence of any lesion, irrespective of trimming season or parity.

Conclusions

Only a few statistically significant associations were found, but several tendencies pointed towards better claw health in herds with low as compared with high incidence rate of energy-related postpartum diseases.     

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.     

Herd-level factors associated with isolation of Salmonella in a multi-state study of conventional and organic dairy farms I. Salmonella shedding in cows

The objective of this study was to evaluate associations between herd characteristics and the isolation of Salmonella from dairy cows in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and New York. Study farms were 129 conventional and organic farms enrolled without regard to previous history of Salmonella infection. Herds were sampled at 2-month intervals over a 1-year period. This is the largest study to date on Salmonella shedding in dairy cows and the only study evaluating herd-level risk factors using longitudinal sampling to characterize Salmonella shedding on dairy farms. Salmonella was isolated in fecal samples from 1026 (4.9%) of 20,089 cows. Over the course of the study, 113 (87.6%) of 129 farms had at least one positive cow sample. Multi-variable logistic regression using the generalized estimating equations approach was used to test the association between herd-level risk factors and the dependent variable of within-herd prevalence by visit (number of Salmonella-positive cows/number of cows sampled) after adjustment for effects of herd size, season, state of origin, and the multiple sampling occasions per herd. Factors retained in the final model included lack of use of tiestall or stanchion facilities to house lactating cows (OR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.1–3.3), not storing all purchased concentrate or protein feeds in an enclosed building (OR = 2.5; 95% CI: 1.3–4.9), not using monensin in weaned calf or bred heifer diets (OR = 3.2; 95% CI: 2.0–5.4), access of lactating or dry cows to surface water (e.g., lake, pond, river, or stream) (OR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.3–3.9), disposal of manure in liquid form (slurry or irrigation, as opposed to disposal of manure by broadcast/solid spreader only) on owned or rented land (OR = 1.8; 95% CI: 1.3–3.9), and cows eating or grazing of roughage from fields where manure was applied in solid or liquid form and not plowed under during the same growing season (OR = 1.8; 95% CI: 1.0–3.0). A seasonal association was also present as cows were more likely to be Salmonella-positive in summer, spring, and fall compared to winter. Herd size was not associated with Salmonella shedding in the final multi-variable model. The herd-level risk factors identified in this study could potentially be implemented in Salmonella control programs on dairy farms.     

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.     

Foot lesions in lame cows on 10 dairy farms in Ireland

Background

Little is known about foot lesions in dairy cattle in Ireland, managed under a pasture based system with housing during the winter and grazing for the rest of the year. Ten Irish dairy herds, with a lameness prevalence ranging from 9 to 17 % were locomotion scored routinely during the 2013 grazing season. Lame cows were foot trimmed and foot lesions recorded.

Findings

11.8 % and 89.6 % of cows had lesions recorded on front and hind feet respectively. No lesions were found in 6.9 % of cows. Sole haemorrhage and white line disease were the most prevalent lesions, and overall 76.8 % of lesions affecting the claw horn were diagnosed on the lateral hind claw.

Conclusions

Treatment success, as measured by improved LS post treatment, was not significantly affected by the LS prior to foot trimming, the presence of lesions or the type of lesion identified. Exposure to both risk factors for lameness at housing and pasture may have resulted in the development of a combination of foot lesions typically associated with zero-grazing or all-year-round grazing management systems.     

Review of the relationship between nutrition and lameness in pasture-fed dairy cattle

Lameness of dairy cattle fed predominantly on pasture is increasingly recognised as one of the most costly disease conditions affecting dairy herds in New Zealand and Australia. Numerous risk factors are involved in the aetiology of claw lameness, including environment and factors associated with the conformation of individual cows. The role of nutrition requires further definition. Australasian pastures are characterised by low levels of fibre and effective fibre, rapid rates of fibre degradation, high water content, and high concentrations of rumen degradable protein during the autumn, winter and spring months. Relationships between high-quality vegetative pastures and ruminal acidosis may increase the risk of laminitis, particularly where pasture is supplemented with grains or other feeds containing significant amounts of starch. This article reviews the incidence, prevalence and pathophysiology of ruminal acidosis and laminitis and considers mechanisms by which acidosis may occur in pasture-fed cows. Techniques for diagnosing ruminal acidosis are reviewed, and practical strategies to avoid it are proposed. Currently, there is little information on the incidence and prevalence of ruminal acidosis and laminitis in pasture-fed cattle. The evidence gathered in this review suggests that ruminal acidosis and laminitis should be considered in the aetiology of lameness in pasture-fed dairy herds.     

The effect of hindclaw height differential and subsequent trimming on lameness in large dairy cattle herds in Canterbury,New Zealand

Abstract

AIMS: To determine if inequality in height between claws within each hindlimb of dairy cattle is a risk factor for the development of lameness and to determine the effect of preventive trimming of these claws on the subsequent risk of lameness.

METHODS: Cows (n=2,695) on three dairy farms in Canterbury, New Zealand, were examined and the height differential between their hind claws on each limb was measured. Cows were blocked by age, then breed and grouped by height differential, before being randomly assigned to either treatment or control groups. Cows in the control group were not trimmed, whilst cows in the treatment group were all trimmed according to the ‘Dutch Trimming’ method by an experienced foot trimmer. All subsequent clinical incidences of lameness were identified, recorded and classified according to five categories. The overall incidence of lameness, the effect of claw height differential on the incidence of lameness and the effect of trimming on the incidence of lameness were assessed using both GEE modelling and survival analysis.

RESULTS: The incidence of lameness identified in any untrimmed hindlimb irrespective of diagnosis, measured at a limb level and assessing the first incidence of lameness only, was 10.0% for a 6-month period from November to drying off. The predominant lesion identified was white line disease (WLD; 7.9% incidence and 78.6% of all lameness). The overall incidence of hindlimb lameness measured at cow level for the same period was 14.5%. The risk of lameness was influenced by breed (p=0.016), age (p=0.002) and claw height differential (p=0.026). There were no significant interactions. The risk of lameness was lowest where the claw height differential was 0–2 mm. The incidence of lameness in the first 70 days following trimming was higher in older cows than in younger cows (p<0.001). Trimming did not affect lameness incidence (p=0.185). The Cox proportional hazard model demonstrated that farm (p<0.001), trimming group (p=0.021); and age (p=0.021) significantly affected the median days to lameness in the first 70 days following trimming.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Hind feet with lower height differentials between claws had a lower incidence of lameness. Trimming of these feet to remove the height differential did not reduce their overall incidence of lameness, but did increase days to first lameness.     

Risk factors for herd-level bovine-tuberculosis seropositivity in transhumant cattle in Uganda

We investigated the prevalence and risk factors to positive herd-level tuberculin reactivity between October 2003 to May 2004 to bovine tuberculosis (BTB) in the four transhumant districts of Uganda: three districts (Karamoja region) of nomadic transhumance cattle rearing (30 superherds and 1522 cattle), and one district (Nakasongola) of fixed-transhumance (7 herds and 342 cattle). We used the comparative intradermal skin-test, sampled 50 animals per superherd/herd, and considered herd positive if there was at least one reactor. Of the 30 superherds under nomadic transhumance, 60% (95% CI 41.4, 79) were tuberculin-test positive; of the 7 fixed herds, 14.3% (95% CI −20.7, 49.2) were tuberculin test positive. The true herd prevalence was estimated at 46.6%. Many risk factors were collinear. The final multivariable logistic-regression model included: recent introductions from market (OR = 3.4; 95% CI 1.1, 10.3), drinking water form mud holes during dry season (OR = 49; 95% CI 9.1, 262), and the presence of monkeys (OR = 0.08; 95% CI 0.0, 0.6) or warthogs (OR = 0.1; 95% CI 0.0, 0.3). No association was found between herd size or number of herd contacts with reactors; it was probably masked by the effect of high between-herd interactions. Provision of water from mud holes in dry river beds and introductions of new animals are risk factors that might be targeted to control BTB in transhumance areas.