Lameness and foot lesions in Swiss dairy cows: II. Risk factors

Becker, J.; Steiner, A.; Kohler, Samuel; Koller-Bähler, A.; Wüthrich, M.; Reist, M. (2014). Lameness and foot lesions in Swiss dairy cows: II. Risk factors Schweizer Archiv für Tierheilkunde, 156(2), pp. 79-89. Verlag Hans Huber 10.1024/0036-7281/a000554

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The objective of this study was to evaluate risk factors associated with foot lesions and lameness in Swiss dairy cows. Potential risk factors were recorded by means of examination of 1'449 Swiss cows and the management systems of 78 farms during routine claw-trimming, and during personal interviews with the associated farmers. Statistical analysis of animal-based and herd level risk factors were performed using multivariate logistic regression models. The risk of being lame was increased in cows affected by digital dermatitis complex, heel-horn erosion, interdigital hyperplasia, Rusterholz' sole ulcer, deep laceration, double sole and severe hemorrhages. Cleanliness, BCS, affection with other foot lesions, breed, importance of claw health to the farmer, frequency of routine claw-trimming, producing according to the guidelines of the welfare label program RAUS, and silage feeding were shown to be associated with the occurrence of some of the evaluated foot lesions and lameness. The identified risk factors may help to improve management and the situation of lameness and claw health in dairy cows in Switzerland and other alpine areas with similar housing and pasturing systems.

Item Type:	Journal Article (Original Article)
Division/Institute:	School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences HAFL > Resource-efficient agricultural production systems School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences HAFL > Agriculture
Name:	Becker, J.; Steiner, A.; Kohler, Samuel; Koller-Bähler, A.; Wüthrich, M. and Reist, M.
Subjects:	Q Science > QL Zoology S Agriculture > SF Animal culture
ISSN:	0036-7281
Publisher:	Verlag Hans Huber
Language:	English
Submitter:	Simon Lutz
Date Deposited:	19 Feb 2020 15:33
Last Modified:	21 Sep 2022 11:05
Publisher DOI:	10.1024/0036-7281/a000554
Related URLs:	Publisher
ARBOR DOI:	10.24451/arbor.8523
URI:	https://arbor.bfh.ch/id/eprint/8523