Risk factors for digital dermatitis in dairy cows kept in cubicle houses in The Netherlands

The presence of digital dermatitis (DD) in dairy cows has increased considerably over the last 10 years in The Netherlands, resulting in a current prevalence of approximately 30% in cows kept in cubicle houses. Our objective was to evaluate a diversified sample of cow- and herd-related risk factors for DD in dairy cows housed in cubicle houses with different flooring systems. Associations were analysed in random-effects logistic-regression models using 2,134 cows (37 herds) and 2,892 cows (47 herds) in the pasture and housing studies, respectively. At cow-level, the odds of having DD were increased in the case of lower parity and lactation. Important risk factors at herd-level were: restricted grazing time, fast rise in concentrate amount after calving, feeding by-products, herd trimming only at long intervals, and introduction of dry cows into the lactating herd before calving. The odds for DD were lower if cows were housed on a slatted floor with manure scraper and provided long and wide cubicles, and if calves were reared in the dairy cows' accommodation.     

Laminitis and interdigital dermatitis and heel horn erosion. A European perspective

Laminitis is one of the most important claw disorders in dairy herds. Nutrition, calving, burdening of the lateral claw of the rear feet, and hereditary susceptibility are all contributing factors. Interdigital dermatitis in cattle may be a result of infection by Bacteroides nodosus and Fusobacterium necrophorum. If this infection becomes chronic, heel horn erosion is its consequence.     

Influence of floor surface and access to pasture on claw health in dairy cows kept in cubicle housing systems

In this study, the effects on the claw health of dairy cows of three different floor types and access to pasture were investigated on 35 farms. The farms were fitted with a given floor type in the indoor walking area of a cubicle housing system: a solid rubber, mastic asphalt or slatted concrete floor. Because we chose farms on which the given floor type was in good condition, the data presented show what can be achieved on these types of floors under ideal circumstances. Cows on half of the farms per floor type had access to pasture during the grazing period. Each farm was visited three times at approx. 6-month intervals at the end of the winter indoor-housing period and at the end of the summer period, i.e. after the period with access to pasture on half of the farms. During each visit, the claw health of the same 10 cows per farm was assessed on the occasion of routine claw trimming. The proportion of cows with haemorrhages increased from mastic asphalt to rubber and slatted concrete floors. A lower proportion of cows kept on mastic asphalt was affected by white-line fissures and needed intermittent claw-trimming, an indicator for lameness. Cows housed in cubicle systems with slatted concrete floors were at the lowest risk of having heel-horn erosions. Access to pasture was associated with a lower incidence of slight white-line fissures and dermatitis digitalis. A higher proportion of cows with sole haemorrhages and sole ulcers were found on all floor types at the end of the summer period than at the end of the winter indoor-housing period. Floor type did not influence the presence of sole ulcers and deep white-line fissures. In conclusion, the effect of floor type on claw health was slight, and none of the investigated floor types was clearly superior to the others. Access to pasture was not effective in reducing the presence of most types of claw lesions associated with the floor type used in the indoor walking area.     

Risk factors for metritis in Danish dairy cows

A retrospective longitudinal study of metritis was conducted in Denmark on data collected during 1993-1994. Data on herd size, breed, parity, and treatment of disease were obtained from the Danish Cattle Database. Management and production-facility data were collected using a questionnaire, conducted as a telephone interview in 1994. The study included 2144 herds from three regions in Denmark (102,060 cows). Herd-level variables included were: herd size, housing, flooring, grazing, calving measures, and calving supervision. Cow-level variables were: parity, breed, calving season and whether the cow had been treated by a veterinarian for dystocia or the diseases: retained placenta, reproductive disease, ketosis, milk fever, or dry cow mastitis.Marginal multivariable logistic-regression analyses were performed. The cow with highest odds of metritis was a first or greater than or equal to third parity cow, of large breed, that calved during November-April, in a zero-grazing herd. The cow had been treated for dystocia, retained placenta, and at least one other reproductive disease, but not for ketosis.     

Risk factors for abomasal displacement in dairy cows.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether various periparturient events or 305-day milk production during the previous lactation period were associated with abomasal displacement in dairy cows. DESIGN: Retrospective, case-control study. ANIMALS: 75 pairs of case and control cows from 3 university-owned and 3 commercial dairy herds. PROCEDURE: Cows with abomasal displacement were matched with control cows on the basis of herd of origin, breed, age, and calving date. Frequency of specific periparturient events during the period from 2 weeks prior to parturition to diagnosis of abomasal displacement, as well as milk production during the preceding lactation period, were compared between case and control cows. RESULTS: Multivariate analyses indicated that case cows were significantly more likely to have had retained placenta, ketosis, a stillborn calf, metritis, twins, or parturient paresis than were control cows. Dystocia, mastitis, and milk production during the previous lactation period were not associated with abomasal displacement. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Results indicated that a variety of periparturient events were associated with development of abomasal displacement among dairy cows.     

Risk factors for anaplasmosis in dairy cows during the peripartum

Anaplasma marginale is endemic in tropical and subtropical areas around the world. Some studies have suggested that cows during peripartum may present a transient immunosuppression state and development of clinical signs of anaplasmosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between some risk factors and the seroprevalence of A. marginale in dairy cows during peripartum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The risk factors analyzed in association with the prevalence of antibodies against A. marginale in dairy cows were calving season, reproductive experience, breed standard, tick infestations, stocking density, and milk yield. The antibodies against A. marginale were tested in indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. A primary screening using a 2 × k contingency table of the exposed variables with the outcomes was performed. All variables for which p?<?0.20 were included in a fixed effects log regression. The risk factors investigated to anaplasmosis were calving (OR 2.61, IC 1.08–7.63), breed standard (OR 3.83, IC 0.08–0.28), reproductive experience (OR 33.7, IC 2.14–5.16), milk yield (OR 3.9, IC 2.24–7.03), Rhipicephalus microplus infestations (OR 10.3, IC 0.05–0.17), and stocking density (OR 22.3, IC 0.05–0.17). Low titers of antibodies against A. marginale during peripartum had been characterized as a period previous to development of clinical anaplasmosis. Thus, studies on anaplasmosis should consider each farm as an epidemiological unit, where environmental and immunological factors may influence the endemic status of the pathogen.     

Risk factors for repeat-breeder syndrome in New South Wales dairy cows

A retrospective case-control study involving 1041 cow lactations from 10 commercial dairy herds in Australia determined relationships between biographic, production, reproductive and disease factors and repeat-breeder syndrome (RBS) (conception to greater than two inseminations). The study population was stratified into primiparous- and multiparous-cow sub-groups and logistic regression was used. Effects of herd were examined by including this variable alternatively as a fixed and a random effect. In the primiparous-cow fixed-effect model, the risk of RBS was increased with post-calving metritis, stillbirth, and with increasing days taken to reach peak milk yield, and reduced following dystocia. An inverted U-shaped relationship with total milk-solids percentage at the time of first service was detected. In the multiparous-cow fixed-effect model, the risk of RBS was increased in cows with chronic metritis, cystic ovarian disease (COD), in cows of parity >5 and in cows that were sub-fertile in the previous lactation. Increasing days to first recorded heat (DFH) reduced risk of RBS and a non-linear relationship with average 120-day milk-protein percentage was found. When herd was fitted as a random effect, stillbirth and 120-day average milk-protein percentage were no longer significant in the primiparous and multiparous models, respectively. The study emphasises the need to control appropriately for the clustering effect of herd and supports the need to minimise periparturient disease and improve nutrient balance to achieve optimal fertility in dairy herds.     

Risk factors influencing lameness and claw disorders in dairy cows

Claw health of dairy cows was investigated in an observational study in different housing systems in Switzerland. Twenty-five professional hoof trimmers examined lameness and claw disorders in 4621 cows on 290 farms during routine hoof trimming. 82 farms had tie-stall barns without exercise (T1) and 166 had tie-stall barns with exercise (T2), another 42 farms kept their animals in loose housing systems with exercise (L2). The prevalence was 10.0% for lameness (LN), 15.7% for sole disorders (SD), 6.1% for white line disorders (WD), 13.6% for heel erosions (HE), and 5.3% for disorders of skin and interdigital space (ID). LN and SD showed the highest prevalence (13.2%; 16.4%) and the highest odds ratio (OR=1.89; 1.33) in T1. WD was more often detected in L2, accounting for 9.4% (OR=1.0). HE was identified most in T2 (17.1%, OR=4.72) and T1 (13.2%, OR=4.45). Disorders of skin and interdigital space were most frequently found in T2 (7.5%, OR=1.55).     

Risk factors associated with on-farm mortality in Swedish dairy cows

Dairy cow mortality (unassisted death and euthanasia) has increased, worldwide and in Sweden. On-farm mortality indicates suboptimal herd health or welfare and causes financial loss for the dairy producer. The objective of this study was to identify cow-level risk factors associated with on-farm cow mortality. Cows with at least one calving between 1 July 2008 and 30 June 2009 from herds enrolled in the Swedish official milk recording scheme with >40 cow-years were included. Each cow was followed from the day of calving until she calved again or left the herd (died, slaughtered or sold). The effects of potential risk factors on on-farm cow mortality were analysed using a Weibull proportional hazard model with a gamma distributed frailty effect common to cows within herd. The event of interest (failure) was euthanasia or unassisted death. An observation was right censored if the cow was slaughtered, sold, calved again or had an on-going lactation at 500 days after calving. The lactations were split into seasons (January to April, May to August and September to December) and at 30 and 100 days in milk in order to evaluate seasonal effects and the effect of disease in different lactation stages. Primiparous and multiparous cows were analysed separately. The highest hazards for both primiparous and multiparous cows were found for traumatic events and diseases, both in the lactation stage in which the cow died and in the preceding stage. The hazard was higher in early lactation and lower in 2nd parity compared to higher parities. Increased age at first calving (for primiparous cows), calving between January and April, dystocia and stillbirth also increased the mortality hazard. Differences were also found between breeds, between milk production parameters at first test milking and between management types. The results from this study show the importance of good management and preventive health actions, especially around calving, to avoid mortality in dairy cows.     

Cubicle housing systems for cattle: Comfort of dairy cows depends on cubicle adjustment

Housing is important for the welfare of cows. Although recommendations have been proposed, abnormal movements and injury problems are still observed in cubicle houses. We conducted a survey on 70 French dairy farms that used cubicles. We examined the design of the cubicles, and the behavior, injuries, and cleanliness of the cows. Most of the cubicles did not comply with the recommendations, often being too narrow and/or too short. Difficulties in lying behavior and injuries were more common when the neck rail was high. No improvement was noted when cubicles of a recent design were used ("U.S." cubicles), apparently because these cubicles were most often cantilevered on a double head rail rather than fixed on freestanding posts. An experiment was conducted, making similar measurements, on 84 cows to compare two configurations for U.S. cubicles (cantilevered on a double head rail as observed in the survey with a high and rear neck rail vs. fixed on freestanding posts as recommended) and another recent cubicle type (Euroconfort, cantilevered on head rails, but with a large space between the rails and fixed as recommended), with and without a brisket board. In U.S. cubicles on rails, cows spent more time lying and less time fully standing inside the cubicles than in the other cubicles (percentage of time: lying, 53.9 vs. 51.5; fully standing, 7.3 vs. 8.5); in Euroconfort cubicles, they hit bars more often when getting up than in U.S. Cubicles (percentage of observations: 42.4 vs. 26.4. Without a brisket board, cows lay down more often in a fore position in U.S. cubicles than in Euroconfort ones. Somatic cell counts increased with time in U.S. cubicles on rails and decreased in the other cubicles. It is suggested that the position of the neck rail in U.S. cubicles cantilevered on rails did not leave enough space for the cow to stand inside the cubicle, thereby encouraging the cow to lie down. This could in turn favor udder contamination and/or inflammation. It is concluded that the positioning of the neck rail is of prime importance, that U.S. cubicles should be used with a brisket board and with correct positioning of the neck rail (even when a head rail is used), and that leaving a large space between head rails does not offer an adequate remedial solution for keeping a free head space in front of the cubicle.     

Risk factors associated with the prevalence of interdigital dermatitis in sheep from 1999 to 2000

As part of an investigation into improving the treatment and control of lameness in sheep flocks in England and Wales, a postal survey was conducted in November 2000. Farmers were asked to estimate the prevalence of footrot and interdigital dermatitis in their flocks. In the ewes the prevalence of interdigital dermatitis remained relatively stable throughout the year, but there was a large increase in lambs during late spring and early summer. Logistic regression models were used to assess statistically significant risk factors associated with prevalences of the condition of 5 per cent or more in ewes and 10 per cent or more in lambs. Factors that increased the risk in ewes were 'sometimes/never' catching lame sheep compared with 'always' farm land 100 m or less above sea level and renting-in winter grazing; factors that increased the risk in lambs were a prevalence of 5 per cent or more of footrot in ewes, 'sometimes/never' catching lame ewes compared with 'always', 'sometimes/never' treating ewes with footrot with parenteral antibiotics compared with 'always', showing sheep at agricultural events, farm land 100 m or less above sea level, and a prevalence of 5 per cent or more of interdigital dermatitis in ewes. Turning sheep on to a field which had been free from livestock for at least two weeks after footbathing decreased the risk of interdigital dermatitis in lambs. Footbathing without the use of a clean field compared with not footbathing did not significantly affect the prevalence of the interdigital dermatitis.     

Incidence and treatment of dermatitis digitalis in dairy cows

In dairy cows of the Black Pied Lowland, Bohemian Pied breeds and their crossbreds loosely in large cow houses VKK 900 on slatted floors, 24% incidence of dermatitis digitalis was recorded during the period of one year. Relations between the occurrence of this disease, age and efficiency of dairy cows, time of parturition and season of the year were studied. Therapeutical effects of several methods of treatment were evaluated and compared. No effect of age and efficiency of dairy cows, nor of the year season on the occurrence of this disease was observed. A significantly higher occurrence was proved in the period before and after parturition, when 80% of the total occurrence of digitalis dermatitis were diagnosed. During this period, however, the cows were housed in a stable with markedly worse environmental circumstance than those in production stable. 91% cases of dermatitis were diagnosed on the digits of pelvic limbs. Relapses were determined only in five dairy cows. There was no case of the disease occurring in calves reared in the prophylactorium of the calf house. Therapeutical results were best after repeated mass treatment of the digits of dairy cows in 5% formaldehyde baths. The results of this study point at a conclusion that probable pathogens of this disease are specific infection agents, or that there are more synergic pathogens. A significant pre-disposition factor are bad environmental circumstances.     

Risk factors for and reproductive outcomes of phantom cows on New Zealand dairy farms

AIMS: To determine some of the risk factors for cows not observed in oestrus within 35–42 days of an unsuccessful artificial insemination (AI; phantom cows), and the reproductive outcomes and effect of treatment of phantom cows.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Over 2 years, in dairy herds from the Waikato (n=10) and Canterbury (n=4) regions of New Zealand, pregnancy diagnosis was carried out 35–42 days after AI on cows that had been inseminated in the first 3 weeks after the start of mating (PSM) but had not been seen returning to oestrus. Risk factors for phantom cows were analysed using a generalised linear mixed effect model.

In Year 1, all phantom cows were left untreated. In Year 2, phantom cows were categorised as having a corpus luteum (CL) (CL+ n=120), or having ovarian follicles ≥10 (n=101) or <10 (n=40)?mm in diameter. Cows with a CL were treated with cloprostenol or untreated and placed with bulls. Cows with no CL received intravaginal progesterone (P4) for 7 days, with injection of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) on Days 0 and 9, and cloprostenol on Day 7 followed by AI. Pregnancy diagnosis of all cows took place 100–120 days after PSM and interval to conception and final pregnancy rate determined.

RESULTS: Overall, of cows inseminated in the first 3 weeks after PSM that did not return to oestrus, 610/6,734 (9.1%) were phantom cows. From the final multivariable analysis, treatment for anoestrus, BCS ≤4.0 at mating, being 2 or >6 years of age, and pure-bred, and decreasing interval between calving and mating, until 98 days post calving, were associated with increased odds of being a phantom cow. Compared to all other groups of cows, phantom cows had a longer interval to conception (p<0.001) and a lower final pregnancy rate (p<0.001).

Treatment of CL+ cows or cows with follicles ≥10?mm did not affect reproductive outcomes (p>0.3). For cows with follicles <10?mm treatment decreased the final percentage not pregnant (3/27; 11%; p=0.01) and interval to conception (21 days; p=0.02) compared with controls (7/13; 54% and 37 days, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Risk factors for phantom cows were identified that could be manipulated to reduce the number of phantom cows in a herd, in particular increasing BCS. Treatment of the majority of phantom cows did not improve reproductive performance.     

全舍饲大跨度奶牛舍粉尘浓度的变化规律

旨在研究全舍饲大跨度奶牛舍两种粉尘(PM_(2.5)和PM_(10))浓度在全天不同时段的变化和月变化规律。采用尘埃记数器对奶牛舍内外的PM_(2.5)和PM_(10)浓度进行连续12个月的监测与分析。结果表明,所有月份舍内PM_(10)浓度均显著高于舍外(P0.05);12个月的舍内PM_(2.5)和PM_(10)浓度变化范围分别为1.8～53.5和84.9～308.5μg/m~3。大多数月份表现为早上或晚上PM_(2.5)和PM_(10)浓度高于中午的规律性,尤其2月份和11月份,2月份早、晚的PM_(2.5)分别是中午的9.5倍和5.5倍,11月份早、晚的PM_(2.5)是中午的2.0和3.5倍;而2月份早和11月份晚的PM_(10)分别是中午的2.1倍和3.4倍。从月变化规律看,舍内两种粉尘浓度自7月或8月份开始呈现增加趋势,于12月份达最高值,为41.8μg/m~3(PM_(2.5))和308.5μg/m~3(PM_(10)),而1～6月份PM_(2.5)、1～7月份PM_(10)平均浓度分别仅9.2μg/m~3和109.0μg/m~3。本研究结果可为奶牛舍的标准化建设及通风设计提供数据支撑。     

Comparison of milk production of dairy cows kept in cold and warm loose-housing systems

A retrospective cohort study was conducted to test whether the lactation curves of cows kept in cold loose-housing systems (CLHs) were the same as for cows in warm loose-housing systems (WLHs) in the Nordic countries. Approximately 40 000 test-day records from 5366 Ayrshire or Black and White cows kept on 38 CLHs and 166 WLHs in Finland during 1996 and 1997 were used. Analysis used a random-coefficient model (correcting for parity, breed and calving-year-season and the correlation-structure between test-days of the same cow and cows of the same herd). Cows in a CLH produced up to 1 l less milk per test-day, but this difference was not statistically significant. Surprisingly, the difference in milk yield was not affected by calving-year-season, parity or breed.     

Risk factors for toxic mastitis in cows

A case-control study of the management and disease risk factors associated with toxic mastitis in cows was carried out. Seventy-one cases satisfied all the selection criteria, and a subset of 41 cases in which pure growths of Escherichia coil were cultured from milk samples was also investigated. Conditional multiple logistic regression analysis of the 71 cases and matched controls revealed no statistically significant associations. However, among the subset of 41 cases and matched controls, the administration of calcium parenterally at calving (P < 0.01) and assistance at calving (P < 0.01) were both associated with toxic mastitis. Controlling for assistance at calving, the odds of a cow developing E coli toxic mastitis if it had received calcium parenterally at calving were 23 times higher than for a cow that had not received calcium. Similarly, controlling for the administration of calcium at calving, the odds of a cow developing E coli toxic mastitis if it had received assistance at calving were 11 times higher than for a cow that did not receive assistance.