occurrence of claw diseases in dairy cattle in Iran.

A.R.Mohamadnia

Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Shahrekord

Abstract:

Hoof lesions were reported as the main cause of dairy cattle lameness (90%) in most studies. Depending on geographical area claw horn or dermal lesions reported as the main lesions of the hoof. No national recording system for hoof diseases existed in Iran and just some hoof trimmers or veterinarians got their own data.

This current study has been done to evaluate the incidence of some claw lesions in Iran. Ten dairy farms in different parts of Iran were included in this study. A recording protocol for claw diseases was created. All hoof trimmers were taught how to diagnose the most common claw diseases and use of recording protocol. Available records were from all ten farms which altogether 11678 cows/ heifers got their claws trimmed. Five of the herds get benefit of the freestall barns and other housed in a straw yard system.

The study conducted in a 12 month period from November 2006- September 2007. Total of 9580 cows were included in this study and records of 31933 hoof trimming were analyzed as 11678 of the hooves during this period were recorded to have one of the following disorders: White line disease (WLD), Sole ulcer (SU), heel erosion (HE), interdigital phlegmone (IPH), double sole (DS) and digital dermatitis (DD). Presence of the lesion in just one limb or digit recorded as a data and including in analysis. All data were reported descriptively.

Digital dermatitis recorded as the most prevalent disease (34.71%) that has been detected in seven dairies (70%) under study. Sole ulcer (23.11%), WLD (16.29%), HE (12.2%), DS (7.39%) and IPH (6.27%) has been detected in all other dairies. Despite the higher frequency of digital dermatitis, its incidence is less than sole ulcer or white line disease in certain areas.

Introduction:

Lameness is one of the most important problems in dairy farms that make financial loss for farmer and pain for animal (Clarkson 1996). Lameness has the third place in economic losses of dairy farming after infertility and mastitis; however, in developing countries possibly infectious diseases and malnutrition precede lameness (Weaver et al. 2005). Incidence of the lameness in last 40 years has been increased that maybe is a result of increase milk production, herd size, modified management indices and breed (Whitaker 1983).

Claw disorders are frequently reported in dairy cattle all over the world. Weaver reported that diseases of the claw account for about 90% of all lameness incidents (Weaver 2000). Claw disorders are distinguished at clinical level (i.e. being lame) and at subclinical level (i.e. digital disorders recognizable at hoof trimming).Depending on geographical area claw horn or dermal lesions reported as the main lesions of the hoof.The most common lesions detected in acute lameness in dairy cows recorded as sole ulcer, white line abscess, digital dermatitis and interdigital phlegmon (Murray et al. 1996). Interdigital dermatitis and heel horn erosion are, in most cases subclinical hoof lesions that are related to inferior hygiene and the presence of contagious agents.

Since no national recording system for lameness detection and recording established in Iran, knowing the extent of lameness and its causes can make a basal point for establishing such a national recording system. In other hand different management system and production level in different dairy scales could potentially affect the prevalence of the disease.This current study has been done to evaluate the incidence of claw lesions in Iran.

Materials and methods:

The study conducted in a 12 month period from November 2006- September 2007. Ten dairy farms in different parts of Iran were included in this study.A recording protocol for claw diseases was created. All hoof trimmers were taught how to diagnose the most common claw diseases and use of recording protocol. Data recorded in a requested sheet (Figure 1) and recorded in a computerized format. Hoof trimming were done on the regular basis in all farms as all cows were trimmed 100-120 days after parturition, before drying off and also all cows with locomotion scores 3 and higher in a five point scale were inspected for possible lesions.

Figure 1: Data recording sheet

Animal ID number / Date of trimming / WLD / SU / HE / IPH / DS / DD

Five herds get benefit of the freestall barns and other housed in a straw yard system.

Results and discussion:

Total of 9580 cows were included in this study and records of 31933 hoof trimming were analyzed as 11678 (36.57%) of the hooves during this period were recorded to have one of the following disorders: White line disease (WLD), Sole ulcer (SU), heel erosion (HE), interdigital phlegmone (IPH), double sole (DS) and digital dermatitis (DD). Presence of the lesion in just one limb or digit recorded as a data and including in analysis. All data were reported descriptively.

Digital dermatitis recorded as the most prevalent disease (34.71%) that has been detected in seven dairies under study. Sole ulcer (23.11%), WLD (16.29%), HE (12.2%), DS (7.39%) and IPH (6.27%) has been detected in all other dairies. Despite the higher frequency of digital dermatitis, its incidence is less than sole ulcer or white line disease in certain areas.

Table 2: Total incidence of hoof lesions

Lesion / Incidence
DD / 34.71
SU / 23.11
WLD / 16.29
HE / 12.2
DS / 7.39
IPH / 6.27

It seems that 1.21 times a lesion has been detected in each cow during this current study that is a relatively high incidence of the lesions. Digital dermatitis lesions mostly diagnosed in regular trimming schedules and didn't make clinical lameness in cows.

Incidence of the disease was different in geographical areas as digital dermatitis only recorded in 7 dairies and 3 dairies were free of the disease. Most clean farms located in central part of Iran with lower annual rain fall and also follow an intensive hoof care program.

No analysis on difference of the lesions in free stalls and straw yards were done in this current study. Cook et al. reported a prevalence of 21.1 and 23.9 % in summer and winter that is lower than current records (Cook 2003). However in Holzhauer et al. report total frequency of 69% that showed at least one lesion in each foot (Holzhauer et al. 2004).

Geographical distribution of DD is different, as in previous reports some part of a country were free of the disease, however higher (40.6%)((Bell et al. 2004) and lower (4%) prevalence of the disease were reported previously. In this current study it was obvious that whenever digital dermatitis were recorded in a herd it was the most prevalent disease.

Further study should be done to evaluate the effects of season, food supplementation on the incidence of the digital lesions.

References:

- Bell NJ., Bell MJ., Whay HR., Main DCJ., Knowles TG., and Webster AJF. (2004) Assesment of prevalence , treatment and control of lameness-related disease in dairy heifers on 30 farms in southwest Britain., Proceedings of the 13th International Symposium and conference of lameness in ruminants., 11-15 Feb., Maribor., Slovenia.

- Clarkson, M.J., 1996. Incidence and prevalence of lameness in dairy cattle, Vet. Rec., 139: 563-567.

- Cook NB (2003) Prevalence of lameness among dairy cattle in Wisconsin as a function of housing type and stall surface. Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association., 223, 9, 1324-1328.

- Holzhauer M., Borne Van Den BPH., Graat EAM., BArtles CSM (2004) Preliminary results of prevalence's of and correlation's between major rear claw disorders in 348 Dutch dairy herds.Proceedings of the 13th International Symposium and conference of lameness in ruminants., 11-15 Feb., Maribor., Slovenia.

-Murray RD, Russell WB, Sutherst JE. et al. Incidence and prevalence of lameness in dairy cattle. Vet Rec 1996; 138: 563-567.

-Weaver AD. Lameness. In Andrews AH, The Health of Dairy Cattle.Oxford. Blackwell Science2000.United Kingdom.149-202.

- Weaver, A.D., G.S. Jean and A. Steiner, 2005. Bovine surgery and lameness, 2ndedition, Blackwell, 198-258.

- Whitaker D.A., 1983. Incidence of lameness in dairy cows. Vet. Rec., 113: 60-62.