Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences

Volume: 54 Issue: 4

  • Open Access
  • Research Article

Clinical lameness in postpartum lactating dairy cattle: a prevalence study#

M. J. Abhiram*, Laiju M. Philip, Reji Varghese, Jith John Mathew and K. D. John Martin
 

#Part of MVSc thesis submitted to Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Pookode, Wayanad, Kerala

1 MVSc Scholar
2 Assistant Professor
3 Assistant Professor, Teaching Veterinary Clinical complex
4 Assistant Professor, Department of Animal Nutrition
5 Professor and Head

* Corresponding author: [email protected], Ph. 8157045702
 

Year: 2023, Page: 891-897, Doi: https://doi.org/10.51966/jvas.2023.54.4.891-897

Received: Nov. 9, 2022 Accepted: Dec. 27, 2022 Published: Dec. 31, 2023

Abstract

A study was carried out to identify the prevalence of clinical lameness and associated claw affections in dairy cows using claw health indicators, claw dimensions and locomotion scoring. Hundred postpartum lactating dairy cattle reared under similar managemental conditions were subjected to body weight estimation, body condition scoring (BCS), evaluation of claw health indicators, claw dimension measurement and lameness scoring. Animals with higher score on claw health indicators and locomotion score were subjected to functional hoof trimming. A prevalence of 20 per cent clinical lameness was observed in the present study. Significantly increased claw length and reduced heel height were observed in dairy cows with higher locomotion score while body weight, body condition score and claw health indicators had no significant relationship with locomotion score on statistical analysis. Sole ulcers and white line lesion were identified as the major sole lesions causing clinical lameness in postpartum lactating dairy cattle.

Keywords: Lameness, postpartum lactating dairy cattle, claw health indicators

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Cite this article

Abhiram, M. J., Philip, L.M., Varghese, R., Mathew, J.J., Martin. J.K.D. 2023. Clinical lameness in post-partum lactating dairy cattle: a prevalence study. J. Vet. Anim. Sci. 54(4):891-897.

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