The role of claw deformation and claw size on goat lameness
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Abstract:
Lameness due to claw overgrowth remains one of the main welfare challenges in dairy goat farms. Although claw trimming is a crucial part of the solution, most times there is a delay in its implementation, with no perceived consequences. The goal of this cross-sectional study was to assess the correlation between the size and deformation of dairy goats claws with lameness score. The width and length of the claws of 38 adult dairy goats were taken and classified as deformed (DEF) or non-deformed (NO_DEF). Lameness was also scored in the majority of the animals assessed for claw deformation. Deformation of at least one claw was present in 34 animals (89% of the total sample). From the 34 goats with deformed claws, 33 presented at least one deformed rear claw and 18 presented at least one deformed front claw. From the 152 claws assessed 58% were deformed (n = 88), of which 19% (n = 29) were front claws and 39% were rear claws (n = 59). Increased width of the front claws was associated with increased likelihood of having deformation with odds of 1.24, and the increased length explained 16% of the variation in lameness scores. A positive relation between lameness score and the number of deformed claws was also shown. Overall, these results suggest that the size of dairy goats' claws influences the prevalence of deformation and lameness severity and that the number of deformed claws affects goats' gait. They also help to build the argument in favor of regular trimming in dairy goat farms.Keywords:
Claw
Lameness is an important production limiting disease in the dairy industry globally. Despite the recent development of dairy production in Selangor and Malaysia, studies on lameness occurrence and claw health are limited. The objectives of the study reported in this thesis were: i) To determine the prevalence of lameness and claw lesions; ii) To identify the cow level risk factors for lameness; iii) To determine the incidence of lameness, claw lesions and association with floor types and their impact on milk yield; and 4) To assess the level of awareness of dairy farmers in Selangor lameness occurrence, associated risk factors and claw health management practices.
A cross-sectional study involving 251 lactating cows from eight farms was conducted to estimate the prevalence of lameness, distribution of claw lesions and associated risk factors. The cows were assessed by locomotion scoring (LS), claw examination and animal-based risk factors. Pearson chi-square was used to compare the prevalence estimates from all the studied farms, as well as the association between proportion of lame cows and those with claw lesions. A binary logistic regression with backward elimination method was applied to investigate the association between independent variables and prevalence of lameness and claw lesions. The prevalence of lameness in cows was 19.1% (48/251, range: 10-33.3%) while 31.1% (78/251) of cows had claw lesions (range: 22.4-40%). Of all claw lesions (n=161) recorded, the occurrence of overgrown claw (OC), sole lesions (SL), white line disease (WLD), and digital dermatitis (DD) were 24.8, 21.7, 13.0 and 9.9%, respectively. Claw lesions were recorded in 87.5% (42/48) of the lame cows with highest being those affected with SL (54.2%; 19/35) and WLD (61.9%; 13/21). Lameness was associated with early lactation (odds ratio, OR = 3.3; 95% Confidence interval, CI 1.5, 7.3), injured hocks (OR = 4.8; 95% CI 1.4, 16.6) and dirty leg (OR=2.6; 95% CI 1.04, 6.5) and OC (OR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.4, 4.9) whereas presence of claw lesions was associated with dirty leg (OR= 4.9; 95% CI 2.3, 10.5) and OC (OR= 2.68; 95% CI 1.3, 5.3).
The incidence of lameness, claw lesions and association with floor types and impact on milk yield was also assessed through a longitudinal study conducted from October, 2016 to July, 2017 involving four farms (120 cows total) with 60 cows each from two farm types, using either rubber mats (RM) or concrete floor (CF). Data on LS, animal characteristics and milk yield were collected monthly, and claw assessment was done twice, at the beginning and end of study. Incidence of lameness and claw lesions and their associations with floor types and cow level factors were analysed using binary logistic regression. Association between milk yield and other independent variables was done using a univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA). Overall, the cumulative incidence of lameness in the study population was 24.2% (29/120). The incidence rate (IR) of lameness in cows on CF was 43.6% (18/41.25 cow-years) and 24.6% (11/44.6 cow-years) in cows on RM. Lameness was associated with very dirty leg (OR = 6.6, 95% CI 1.7, 26.5) and OC (OR = 8.4, 95% CI 2.0, 34.5). Moderate body condition score (BCS) was a protective factor for lameness (OR=0.3, 95% CI 0.1, 0.9). A total of 34 claw lesions were recorded in 24 cows on CF while 29 claw lesions were observed in 20 cows on RM. However, the difference was not significant (P>0.05). Amongst the 44 cows affected with claw lesions, the highest were those with SL (31.7%), WLD (15.6%), DD (14.3%) and toe ulcers (TU), interdigital hyperplasia (IH), and swollen coronet (SC) (8% each). Claw lesions were present in 93% (n=27/29) of all lame cows and mostly located in the hind claws. Incidence of claw lesions was associated with very dirty leg (OR = 4.4, 95% CI 1.3-14.8) and OC (OR = 4.4, 95% CI 1.5, 12.9). Mean monthly milk yield was higher (P < 0.05) in cows at higher parity compared with primiparous cows, while lower (P < 0.05) in cows with injured hock compared with those with normal hock condition.
Based on the structured questionnaire survey distributed to 120 dairy farmers, to assess their perception on impact of lameness, risk factors and practices related to claw health management, a response rate of 68.3% (82/120) was recorded. Farmers’ responses (agree or not agree) were not different regarding lameness being an important health problem in dairy cows and its negative impact on reproductive performance. A higher proportion (P = 0.01) of farmers (77%; 63/82) were aware of the factors considered to influence lameness occurrence at herd level, while comparable proportions (P = 0.91) were aware (51%; 42/82) and unaware (49%; 40/82) of the cow level factors. Awareness of the risk factors was common (P < 0.05) among farmers with higher education qualification and years of farming experience. Fifty percent of the farmers (41/82) were unaware of the welfare assessment practices related to claw health. Only 29% (24/82) of the farmers practiced claw trimming. The results suggest low awareness of lameness occurrence among the surveyed dairy farmers.
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Limiting
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Bovine lameness is a major challenge facing the dairy industry, with negative impacts on milk production, fertility and longevity of animals. Our understanding of the aetiopathogenesis of claw horn lesions has evolved, leading to alterations in the way we approach routine claw trimming, such as the number and timings of foot inspections. While there have been few changes to the basic principles of trimming that were first described by Toussaint Raven (1985), it is now clearly recognised that application of poor and inappropriate techniques can cause iatrogenic lameness. This article, the second in a two‐part series on lameness, reviews the evidence and rationale of claw trimming techniques, for the management of claw horn health in dairy cows and heifers. The first article (Maxwell and others 2015) discussed recent research on lameness.
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Trimming
Dairy industry
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Lameness is a multi-factorial condition that depends on managerial as well as genetic variables, but often is related to legs and feet condition of the animals. The aim of the study was to give an overview of legs and claws condition and the presence of lameness in sows at one industrial farm. Total 130 animals (90 dry i.e. pregnant and 40 lactating sows) were observed. The occurrence of leg joints swellings, than claws condition (toes length, dew claw condition, cracked wall) and lameness (in animals in group boxes) were visually recorded and then classified according to the appropriate protocols. Findings proved the occurrence of one or more of examined conditions in 40% of pregnant sows and in 45% sows in lactation. In more than 20% of pregnant sows lameness was presented. There was statistically significant positive correlation between the occurrence of lameness and leg swellings and between lameness and claw condition in pregnant sows (in both cases p<0.0001). The results show that lameness is a significant problem in the studied farm. In general, more attention should be given to monitoring of sows' physical condition and behaviour, to minimize the occurrence of welfare problems and to reduce production losses.
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The objective of this study was to investigate time to lameness event, prevalence of claw lesions, and their associations with animal-based welfare measures (ABWMs) in dairy cows. A total of 120 non-lame lactating cows (n = 30 each from four intensive dairy farms) having no claw lesion were enrolled in the study. The cow-level enrollment criteria included good body condition score (BCS), normal hock condition score, absence of body injuries, and normal claw length. Information on cows’ parity, milk yield, and previous lameness event (PLE) were recorded. The cows were observed twice monthly (every 2 weeks) for locomotion scores (LS), and ABWMs, whereas claw lesions were recorded upon onset of lameness and at the end of the observation period. Cows were considered lame when 2 consecutive LS = 3, or any assessment with score 4. Cox regression models were used to investigate lameness incidence and the association with ABWMs, while association between the latter and claw horn lesions (CHL) prevalence were analyzed using logistic regression models. Twenty-four percent (29/120) of the cows were lame during the study period. Lameness risk was associated with PLE (Hazard ratio; HR = 7.4; 95% CI 2.4-23.0), presence of overgrown claw (HR = 3.7; 95% CI 1.1-12.6) and low BCS pre-lame (HR = 4.5; 95% CI 1.3-16.6). Amongst the cows affected with claw lesions, 68.4% (37/44) were lame and CHL were predominant (75.4%) compared to infectious claw lesions (24.7%). Cows with lower BCS (< 3.0) (OR = 5.7; 95% CI 1.6- 20.4) and those with PLE (OR = 7.2; 95% CI = 2.1-24.7) were more likely to have CHL. Management practices such as maintaining cows’ body condition, improved care for those with history of lameness, and proper claw trimming could assist farmers to reduce lameness incidence in the studied herds.
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Lameness and lesions to the skin and claws of sows in group housing are commonly occurring indicators of reduced welfare. Typically, these problems are more common in group housing than in individual housing systems. Group management type (dynamic versus static) and stage of gestation influence the behavior of the animals, which in turn influences the occurrence of these problems. The present study compared prevalence, incidence and mean scores of lameness and skin and claw lesions in static versus dynamic group housed sows at different stages of gestation during three consecutive reproductive cycles. A total of 10 Belgian sow herds were monitored; 5 in which dynamic groups and 5 in which static groups were utilized. All sows were visually assessed for lameness and skin lesions three times per cycle and the claws of the hind limbs were assessed once per cycle. Lameness and claw lesions were assessed using visual analogue scales. Static groups, in comparison with dynamic groups, demonstrated lower lameness scores (P<0.05) and decreased skin lesion prevalence (24.9 vs. 47.3%, P<0.05) at the end of gestation. There was no difference between treatment group regarding claw lesion prevalence with 75.5% of sows demonstrating claw lesions regardless of group management. Prevalences of lameness (22.4 vs. 8.9%, P<0.05) and skin lesions (46.6 vs. 4.4%, P<0.05) were highest during the group-housed phase compared to the individually housed phases. Although the prevalence of lameness and skin lesions did not differ three days after grouping versus at the end of the group-housing phase, their incidence peaked during the first three days after moving from the insemination stalls to the group. In conclusion, the first three days after grouping was the most risky period for lameness incidence, but there was no significant difference between static or dynamic group management.
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Skin lesion
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Digital dermatitis (DD) and sole ulcer (SU), two of the most important claw diseases causing lameness in dairy cows, are discussed. DD is an increasing problem in many countries. SU can result in serious complications and is one of the most costly claw diseases because of long term recovery, effects on fertility, production level and increased risk of premature culling. Claw diseases are often not recognized promptly and cows may suffer from pain and discomfort, which is manifested in lameness. Foot diseases and lameness also affect dairy cows’ resting, social and avoidance behaviour. Lameness can persist for a considerable period of time and results in reduced productivity and economical losses for the dairy industry. Both from an animal welfare as well as from an economic point of view it is essential to prevent foot diseases or treat them at an early stage before lameness is evident, and maintenance foot trimming is a good preventative tool for this purpose.
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Culling
Foot rot
Dairy industry
Foot (prosody)
Laminitis
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Claw lesions and lameness in sows are an important welfare concern as well as a cause of considerable economic loss. These problems are more common in group housing than in individual housing systems. Given that group housing for gestating sows will become mandatory in the EU from 2013 onwards, the aim of the present study was: (1) to determine the prevalence of lameness and claw lesions in sows housed in groups during gestation, and (2) to analyze whether the type of group housing system and sow-related factors were associated with lameness and claw lesions. Eight Belgian pig herds with group housing of gestating sows were selected. Four herds used pens with electronic sow feeders (dynamic groups), the other four herds kept their sows in free access stalls (static groups). All sows were visually examined for lameness at the end of gestation. Claw lesions were scored after parturition. Information about feed, housing conditions and culling (strategy) was collected, as well as information about parity and breed. Of all 421 assessed sows, on average 9.7% (min. 2.4%, max. 23.1%) were lame. Almost 99% of the sows had one or more claw lesion with overgrowth of heel horn (93%) and cracks in the wall (52%) as the most prevalent lesions. Neither for lameness nor claw lesions was significant differences found between the two types of group housing. Lameness decreased while the mean claw lesion score increased with ageing. These results suggest that lameness can be caused by reasons other than claw lesions, especially in older sows. Although no difference was found between the two types of group housing, a huge variation between herds was observed. Moreover, as the prevalence of lameness and claw lesions in group housing is quite high and group housing will become mandatory in 2013, further investigation on risk factors of locomotor disorders in sows is necessary.
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Culling
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The objective of this study was to estimate the influence of age (parity) and housing system on the incidence of claw lesions and lameness in Polish Holstein-Friesian dairy cows. The incidence of hoof lesions and lameness in 1,330 cows was determined at claw trimming at 11 dairy farms in 2003-2004. In the front limbs, the mean of healthy claws was 86.6%, while in the hind limbs, it was 38.7%. The percentage of main diseases in the total number of observed claw lesions was 32.1% for sole ulcers, 18.4% for sole haemorrhage, 17.8% for digital dermatitis, 9.4% for white line disease, 8.1% for thick hock, and 4.5% for interdigital dermatitis. Primarily, the sole ulcers were associated with sole haemorrhage, white line disease, interdigital growth, interdigital dermatitis, and thick hock. The incidence of lameness was noted in 31.4% (locomotion score 2) and 11.7% (locomotion score 3). Parity and housing systems (tethered and free stalls) had no effect on the total percentage of healthy claws and the distribution of the locomotion score. The incidence of sole ulcers was 47.6% and 55.4% of the total numbers of claw lesions in cows with locomotion scores 2 and 3 respectively.
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Hock
Hoof
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Abstract Objective —To examine the relationship between lameness and the duration of the interval from calving to subsequent conception in lactating dairy cows. Design —Cohort study. Animals —837 dairy cows. Procedure —Cows affected with lameness were classified into 1 of 4 groups on the basis of types of disease or lesions observed, including foot rot, papillomatous digital dermatitis, claw lesions, or multiple lesions. Cows not affected with lameness were classified as healthy. Time from calving to conception was compared between lame cows and healthy cows. Results —254 (30%) cows were affected with lameness during lactation. Most lame cows (59%) had claw lesions. Lame cows with claw lesions were 0.52 times as likely to conceive as healthy cows. Median time to conception was 40 days longer in lame cows with claw lesions, compared with healthy cows. Number of breedings per conception for lame cows with claw lesions was significantly higher than that for healthy cows. Conclusion and Clinical Relevance —Claw lesions were the most important cause of lameness, impairing reproductive performance in dairy cows, as indicated by a higher incidence of affected cows and a greater time from calving to conception and a higher number of breedings required per conception, comp ared with healthy cows. ( J Am Vet Med Assoc 2001; 218:1611–1614)
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Lameness results in economic losses in cattle populations worldwide. Most lameness lesions are associated with the lower foot, especially the claw. Major risk factors for lesions of the claw are high grain rations and concrete flooring.
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Abrasion (mechanical)
Foot (prosody)
Beef Cattle
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