Lameness: Health and Productivity of Dairy Cows

摘要

Bovine lameness represents a major health problem for the dairy industry and has a detrimental effect on productivity, health and welfare of dairy cattle. In recent years lameness has become a major problem in dairy herds and found to be more common in large herds having high yielding cows. It is the third most economic health problem after mastitis and infertility in most of the dairy herds around the world (Weaver et al, 2005). In herds where incidence is high, lameness accounts for tremendous economic loss. The incidence rate in Indian crossbred cows was observed to be 5-10% (Blahwar, 2003). Whereas, the higher incidence rate (20.5% to 69.6%) was recorded in Holstein crossbred cows (Maiti et al, 1996; Singh et al, 1998). Lameness is defined as aclinical sign or symptom of a disorder that causes the disturbance in locomotion and this disturbance is observed as an abnormality in gait that may be due to any infection, metabolic disturbance, injury, etc. It is painful and results in decreased feedintake, reduced milk production, impaired reproduction, and early culling. Hoof problems are the leading causes of lameness. Claw disorders associated with chronic subclinical laminitis are primary causes of lameness in most of the herds. These are complicated by heat stress, housing, nutrition and other management. For example, exposure to wet concrete flooring increases the risk of hoof injuries and infections that includes foot rot, interdigital dermatitis and digital dermatitis that lead to lameness. If bed stalls are uncomfortable due to poor design or insufficient bedding, cows will spend more time standing rather than lying, increasing the risk of lameness significantly.