Early detection and treatment of lame cows

Summary

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of specific hoof lesions on the locomotion score (LS) as well as the effect of early detection and treatment on duration and prevalence of lesion-specific lameness. Material and methods: In a dairy herd in Lower Saxony, Germany, with 144 lactating cows, claw trimming was performed by a professional claw trimmer at the beginning and the end of a 41-week trial period. Weekly a veterinarian assessed the LS according to Sprecher et al. (1997) in 99 cows. The front and hind claws of cows with an LS > 1 were examined and treated within 5 days. For individual diagnoses, the duration of lameness was calculated as the number of weeks from first treatment until recovery (LS = 1).Results: In total, 580 examinations and treatments were performed on 94 cows. There were 189 new lameness cases with a total of 290 diagnoses. At the first treatment, 81.0% of the cows displayed an LS of 2. Cows with digital dermatitis (DD), heel horn erosion and white line disease (WLD) more often had an LS > 2 compared to cows with Rusterholz’ sole ulcer, interdigital hyperplasia or inadequate claw length/posture (p < 0.05). Cows with only one affected leg, more often had an LS > 2 than cows with several affected legs (p < 0.1). Lameness caused by WLD and arthritis/ periarthritis remained for the longest time period. The prevalence of sole haemorrhages and/or double soles, WLD, interdigital dermatitis and interdigital hyperplasia decreased significantly during the test period. Prevalence of sole ulcer (sole ulcer and Rusterholz’ sole ulcer) and DD remained unaffected. Conclusion and clinical relevance: Locomotion score was affected by the type of claw/limb disorder and the number of diseased limbs. Regular locomotion scoring and continuous treatment of cows with an LS > 1 is associated with a decrease in the prevalence of several claw lesions. Therefore, prevalence of severe claw lesions like WLD, which was associated with a long duration of lameness, can be reduced. In con trast, for decreasing prevalence of digital dermatitis more than weekly treatment of every cow with LS > 1 is required. Preventive measures like footbaths or improved hygiene should accompany the individual animal treatment.

Zusammenfassung

Ziel war zu untersuchen, welchen Einfluss verschiedene Klauener kran - kungen auf den Bewegungsscore (Locomotion Score, LS) haben und ob die frühzeitige Erkennung und Behandlung der Tiere mit einem LS > 1 Präva - lenz und Lahmheitsdauer beeinflussen. Material und Me thoden: Auf einem Milchviehbetrieb mit 144 Kühen in Niedersachsen wurden zu Beginn und Ende des 41-wöchigen Versuchszeitraums die Klauen aller Tiere von einem Klauenpfleger gepflegt. Wöchentlich ermittelte ein Tierarzt bei allen Versuchstieren (n = 99) den LS nach Sprecher et al. (1997). Tiere mit einem LS > 1 wurden binnen 5 Tagen an allen acht Klauen untersucht/behandelt und sämtliche Befunde dokumentiert. Für Einzeldiagnosen wurde ab Behandlungsbeginn der Zeitraum bis zur Lahmheitsfreiheit (LS = 1) ermittelt. Ergebnisse: Im Versuchszeitraum erfolgten bei 94 Tieren 580 Untersuchungen/ Behandlungen. Bei 189 Erstbehandlungen (EB) wurden 290 Diagnosen gestellt. Bei 81% der EB bestand ein LS von 2. Tiere mit Dermatitis digitalis (DD), Ballenhornfäule oder Defekt der Weißen Linie (WLD) hatten häufiger einen LS > 2 als Tiere mit Rusterholzsch‘em Sohlenge - schwür (RSG), Limax oder inadäquater Klauenlänge/-stellung (p < 0,05). Tiere mit einem erkrankten Bein gingen tendenziell deutlicher lahm (LS > 2) als Tiere mit mehreren betroffenen Gliedmaßen (p < 0,1). Tiere mit Arthritis/Periarthritis und WLD zeigten die längste Lahmheitsdauer. Die Prävalenz von WLD, Sohlenblutung und Doppelsohle, Dermatitis interdigitalis und Limax ließ sich zwischen den Klauenpflegeterminen signifikant sen - ken. Das Vorkommen von Soh lengeschwüren, RSG und DD differierte nicht. Schlussfolgerung und klinische Relevanz: Der LS wurde durch die einzelnen Klauenerkrankungen und die Anzahl betroffener Beine unterschiedlich beeinflusst. Die frühzeitige Erkennung und konsequente Behandlung aller Tiere mit einem LS > 1 konnte die Prävalenz mehrerer Klauenerkrankungen senken, vor allem der von WLD mit langer Lahmheitsdauer. Dagegen müssen zur Verringerung der Prävalenz von DD Kühe mit einem LS > 1 häufiger als einmal wöchentlich behandelt werden. Präventive Maßnahmen wie Klauenbäder und Verbesserung der Hygiene sollten begleitend zur Behandlung des individuellen Tieres erfolgen.

Keywords

Locomotion disorder - locomotion score - herd health management

Schlüsselwörter

Klauenerkrankungen - Bewegungsscore - Bestandsbetreuung

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