Associations Between Locomotion Scores and Specific Claw Lesions in Dairy Cows from Digital Dermatitis-Infected Herds

TL;DR

This study finds specific claw lesions in dairy cows are strongly linked to lameness, helping improve early detection and treatment for better animal welfare.

Contribution

The study identifies specific claw lesions significantly associated with locomotion scores, offering actionable insights for early lameness detection.

Findings

Digital dermatitis-associated claw horn lesions and interdigital hyperplasia are significantly linked to locomotion scores ≥ 2 and ≥ 3.

Thin soles and infectious claw disorders are associated with higher locomotion scores, indicating lameness.

Early detection and treatment of these lesions can improve dairy cow welfare and reduce economic losses.

Abstract

Claw lesions account for about 82% of cattle lameness cases, with the remaining cases attributed to injuries in the proximal limb. Although not all claw lesions result in lameness, there are a few disorders that are usually accompanied by lameness. This study of 491 cows from ten dairy farms aimed to identify which specific claw lesions are most associated with lameness. All cows were locomotion scored using an ascending five-point scale with locomotion scores (LCS) of 1–5. Functional hoof trimming was then performed, and all identified claw lesions were electronically recorded. The prevalence of each LCS was calculated and the distribution of LCSs in relation to parity and lactation stage assessed. A simple chi-square test and a generalised linear mixed model (GLMM) were applied to search for relationships between specific claw lesions and locomotion scores. Results from the GLMM revealed significant associations (p < 0.05) between digital dermatitis-associated claw horn lesions, interdigital hyperplasia with acute digital dermatitis, ‘infectious claw disorders’, thin soles and an LCS ≥ 2 and LCS ≥ 3, respectively. By better understanding these associations between a few painful claw lesions and LCS ≥ 2, targeted management measures can be implemented to detect lameness early, treat it promptly and correctly and implement preventive measures to promote improved animal welfare.

Lameness is a significant global welfare and economic problem in dairy farming. The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between various claw lesions and locomotion scores (LCS). A total of 491 cows from ten Austrian dairy farms were included in the study. Each cow’s gait was individually evaluated and an ascending locomotion score ranging from 1 to 5 was assigned. Subsequently, functional hoof trimming was conducted on all cows. During this procedure the claws were examined and all lesions electronically documented. For statistical analysis, the prevalence of each LCS was calculated and the distribution of LCS in relation to parity and lactation stage examined. Additionally, a simple chi-square test and a generalised linear mixed model (GLMM) were applied to identify associations between specific types of lesions and LCSs. The results from the GLMM showed significant associations (p < 0.05) between ‘other causes’, thin soles and interdigital hyperplasia with acute digital dermatitis on its surface (IH-DD-M2) and an LCS ≥ 2, between DD-associated claw horn lesions, thin soles, interdigital hyperplasia IH-DD-M2 and an LCS ≥ 3, and between DD-associated claw horn lesions, IH-DD-M2, and ‘infectious claw disorders’ and an LCS ≥ 4. The results emphasise the importance of early and accurate detection of lameness to promptly treat underlying painful claw lesions, thereby promoting improved animal welfare.

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