Prevalence of digital dermatitis in first lactation cows assessed at breeding cattle auctions |
| |
| Authors: | M Hulek I Sommerfeld-Stur J Kofler |
| |
| Institution: | 1. Department of Horses and Small Animals, Clinic of Orthopaedics in Large Animals, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, A-1210 Vienna, Austria;2. Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, A-1210 Vienna, Austria;3. Veterinary Practice Michael Hulek, Waxenberger Strasse 50, A-4181 Oberneukirchen, Austria;1. College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box 34, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia;2. College of Veterinary Medicine, Nursing and Allied Health, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL 36088, USA;3. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA/APHIS), 4700 River Road, Riverdale, MD 20737, USA;4. Ministry of Agriculture, P. O. Box 62347, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia;1. Clinic for Ruminants, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Berne, Berne 3012, Switzerland;2. Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Berne, Berne 3012, Switzerland;1. Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool Science Park IC2, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK;2. Wood Veterinary Group, Quedgeley, Gloucester GL2 4NB, UK;3. Centre for Integrated Genomic Medical Research, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK;4. School of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, Cheshire CH64 7TE, UK;2. Scotland’s Rural College/Roslin Institute, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, Scotland, UK |
| |
| Abstract: | The prevalence of digital dermatitis (DD) in first lactation cows (FLCs) presented at 10 breeding cattle auctions was determined in a single auction centre in Austria over a period of 14 months. At each auction, FLCs were selected randomly for claw examination from the monthly auction catalogue. After obtaining owner consent, the hindclaws were examined in a walk-in crush. The type of lesion (M1–M4) and the diameter of DD lesions together with claw horn lesions and the trimming status of the claws were evaluated.From a total of 1110 FLCs registered for the ten auctions, 399 (36%) were randomly chosen for examination and 199 FLCs (17.9%) could be defined. In 63 cows (15.7%), the owners refused consent. A total of 24 FLCs were found to have DD lesions on one or both hindlimbs, resulting in a DD prevalence of 12.1%. The size of lesions ranged from 0.5–3 cm in diameter. No influence of environmental factors (such as season or housing) on the prevalence of DD could be found. In 30/199 (15.1%) of FLCs examined, claw horn lesions such as double sole, white line disease and sole ulcer were observed, but both claw horn and DD lesions were seen in only three cows. Potential buyers at auctions should be aware of both conditions, as the 12.1% prevalence of DD and the 15.1% prevalence of claw horn lesions in FLCs are considerable. Critical evaluation of claw health and DD is essential when purchasing breeding cattle. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
| 本文献已被 ScienceDirect 等数据库收录！ |
|
