Lesions causing lameness requiring veterinary treatment in pasture-fed dairy cows in East Gippsland [Victoria, Australia]

By Jubb, T. F. and Malmo, J., Australian Veterinary Journal, 1991
Research Paper Web Link / URL:
Description
In 653 mature dairy cows examined for lameness between February 1987 and July 1988, 783 lesions were identified. Most of these were located below the pastern (90.5%) and most lesions involved hindlimbs (79%). Of digital and interdigital lesions, hind limbs had the most lesions (69.2%). Medial digits of forelimbs were least affected (7.8%) and lateral digits of hindlimbs were the most affected (44.4%). Lateral digits of forelimbs were slightly more affected than medial digits of hindlimbs (17.0% vs 14.8%). Ten different types of lesions contributed to 84.5% of foot lameness. Most common were axial wall cracks (21.7%), underrun sole (14.6%), footrot (13.0%), punctured sole (9.3%) and white line disease (7.2%). Age, rainfall and the early lactation period were factors determining the incidence of lameness
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